Broken Benefits

What happens when a practicing physician steps into the world of employee benefits? In this episode of Broken Benefits , Lee Lewis sits down with Dr. Lowell Fernander, a physician-turned-benefits executive whose career has taken him from healthcare systems in the United Kingdom and Europe to helping lead healthcare strategy for one of America's largest employers. Drawing on his unique experience i...

What happens when you put an auditor in charge of employee benefits? You stop accepting assumptions. In this episode of Broken Benefits , Brian Duclos shares how a non-traditional background in accounting and internal audit shaped his approach to benefits strategy—and ultimately led him to challenge many of the industry's long-standing norms. Rather than accepting annual cost increases as inevitab...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , we’re joined by Chris Deacon , a leading voice in healthcare reform known for her direct, no-nonsense approach to fixing a system that too often fails the very people it’s meant to serve. With experience spanning both the public and private sectors—including leading one of the largest public health plans in the country—Chris brings a level of insight that few c...

In this episode of  Broken Benefits , we sit down with  Milt Ezzard , a Global Benefits and Mobility Leader, to explore the untapped opportunity that exists within today’s benefits and healthcare landscape. Too often, organizations ope...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , Lee Lewis sits down with Todd Bisping, Benefits Industry Innovator , to explore one of the most remarkable stories in employer healthcare strategy. For nearly two decades, Todd helped lead a benefits approach that achieved something most employers consider impossible: keeping healthcare cost trend flat while continuing to deliver meaningful value to employees....

On the latest installment of Broken Benefits , Lee Lewis sits down with Jason Dinerman, VP of Product Development & Global Benefits at Mastercard , to explore what it really takes to create value — and just as importantly, visibility — inside a modern benefits operation. Jason brings a rare blend of product thinking and global benefits leadership to the conversation. Drawing from his career jo...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , host Lee Lewis is joined by Matt Eurey , former Benefits Executive at Lowe’s and Time Warner Cable, for a wide-ranging conversation grounded in real-world experience managing benefits at scale. Matt brings a pragmatic lens to the challenges employers face as buyers in a healthcare system crowded with vendors, competing ideas, and constant pressure to “do someth...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , host Lee Lewis sits down with Neil Larson , Benefits Leader at a Global 500 employer and MIT MBA, for a candid conversation about risk, responsibility, and what it truly takes to change a healthcare benefits system that isn’t working. Drawing from his experience managing a massive, diverse health plan, Neil shares what benefits leadership looks like in the tren...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , Global CHRO Thomas Plath joins the show to confront one of the most overlooked — yet most consequential — challenges facing employers today: the true complexity of healthcare and the enormous responsibility placed on HR leaders to navigate it. Thomas shares a candid look at what it feels like to inherit a benefits ecosystem that can represent hundreds of millio...

In this second installment of our two-part conversation, Rich Krutsch returns to Broken Benefits to expand on the evolving relationship between employee health, organizational strategy, and the growing shift toward more hands-on approaches to managing benefits. Building on the foundation of Part 1, this episode explores how leaders can think more holistically about the connection between their wor...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , we’re joined by Rich Krutsch , former VP of People Services at ArcBest , for the first of a two-part conversation that explores how data-driven decision-making can transform the way organizations approach healthcare and benefits. Rich shares his insights on leveraging analytics to build smarter, more strategic benefits programs —ones that actually move the need...

In this powerful episode of Broken Benefits , we sit down with healthcare thought leader Matt Harmon to explore the real potential for innovation and transformation within the American healthcare system—starting with the people who hold the power to do it: CHROs and benefits leaders . Drawing from his extensive experience, Matt unpacks the systemic hurdles that keep companies stuck in broken benef...

In this compelling episode of Broken Benefits , we sit down with Bill Allen, the former CHRO of Macy’s Inc., to explore the intricate and often flawed systems underpinning the management of healthcare in America. With decades of executive HR experience, Bill brings a unique perspective on the intersection of corporate leadership, employee well-being, and the skyrocketing costs of care. We delve in...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , host Lee Lewis is joined by Rich Floersch—former CHRO of McDonald’s, seasoned executive coach, and trusted advisor to HR leaders across the globe. Together, they dig deep into a game-changing idea: what if healthcare, so often seen as a sunk cost or painful necessity, could actually become a strategic weapon for your business? From translating benefit decisions...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , we sit down with Ryan Olmstead, Director of Member Services at Catalyst for Payment Reform, to discuss how employers can take a more active role in transforming healthcare benefits. Ryan shares insights on strategies that help employers drive down costs while improving health outcomes for employees. We explore innovative payment models, best practices for benef...

In the latest episode of Broken Benefits , we’re joined by Deborah Caplan, former CHRO and EVP of Corporate Benefits at NextEra Energy, to discuss how data-driven insights are revolutionizing the world of employee benefits. Deborah shares her expertise on leveraging analytics to pinpoint the issues that truly matter to employees and businesses alike. From identifying hidden trends to making strate...

In this episode of Broken Benefits , host Lee Lewis welcomes Kevin Cox, the founder of HTA and former Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of General Electric (GE). Kevin brings his vast experience from leading HR at one of the world’s largest companies to share his insights on the future of corporate benefits and human resources. Together, Lee and Kevin discuss the broken aspects of traditional b...

In the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Barbara Wachsman, one of the luminaries of the industry who ran benefits at Disney. Responsible for hundreds of thousands of employees and a budget stretching well into billions of healthcare dollars. While there, Barbara formed one of the largest direct contracts with a major hospital system in America. Beyond her professional wo...

In the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Shelly Carlin, the impactful Executive Vice President of the HR Policy Association and the Center On Executive Compensation. Beyond her advisory work, Shelly was the Senior Vice President of HR and Communications at Motorola. Beyond her professional work in HR and benefits, Shelly is an advocate for UCLA Softball and currently wor...

In the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Sheila Savageau, the dynamic head of Benefits and Compensation at General Motors February 2022, Sheila Savageau received a package on her doorstep for the 2022 Helen Darling Award, one of the most prestigious awards in health care, recently awarded to our company and health care team. But for Sheila, our company’s global health an...

In the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Elena Bueno-Gonzalez, the dynamic Vice President of Energy Marketing & Trading at Florida Power & Light. Elena's incredible journey from Venezuela to becoming a leading figure in the U.S. energy industry is nothing short of inspiring. Arriving in the United States at the age of 21 and learning English as her second languag...

In this episode of Broken Benefits, we delve into the intricate world of health care solutions with a seasoned expert, Barbara Flitsch. With years of experience at the helm of a Fortune 500 health plan, Barbara brings invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Join us as we explore Barbara's journey, from her early days in the field to her current role at the he...

In this illuminating episode of Broken Benefits, we delve deep into the dynamic world of healthcare innovation with a true trailblazer, Pat Pitsch. As a distinguished Medical Benefits Expert, Pat brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table, offering a captivating narrative of her journey through the labyrinth of the healthcare industry. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs...

On the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we're thrilled to welcome a true expert at her craft. Candace Jodice, Former CVS Health Executive, brings over 20 years experience managing a health plan of over 300,000 people and expenditures in excess of $4 billion annually. We dive into the intricacies of managing benefits inside of a PBM, as well as the importance behind leveraging the data to generat...

On the latest installment of Broken Benefits, we're joined by an esteemed guest, Jason Parrott. With a wealth of experience as a Former Benefits Executive at both Boeing and AT&T, Jason provides unique perspectives and valuable insights into the complex world of healthcare management. Tune in as Jason delves into the challenges and triumphs of overseeing billions in healthcare spending, sharin...