--- title: HR Executive Health & Benefits Leadership Conference recap | Segal Benz description: "Last week at the HR Executive Health & Benefits Leadership Conference, Carol Harnett and Fran Melmed recorded one of their CoHealth Checkup shows. I joined the conversation, along with four other employee benefits leaders, for a discussion about the conference and employee benefits. The Twittersphere was also buzzing with the hashtag #BenefitsConf. Listen in on the radio show" image: https://segalbenz.com/hubfs/sb-blog-default-feature_r01vQ-1-1200x680.png --- ![sb-blog-default-banner_r01vP-1-2000x1134](https://segalbenz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sb-blog-default-banner_r01vP-1-2000x1134.png?width=300&name=sb-blog-default-banner_r01vP-1-2000x1134.png) [Jennifer Benz](https://segalbenz.com/blog/author/jennifer-benz-svp-communications-leader) May 2, 2013 3 min read # HR Executive Health & Benefits Leadership Conference recap [Previous post ](https://segalbenz.com/blog/benefits-pros-getting-game-faces-preparation-2014) [Next post ](https://segalbenz.com/blog/more-money-more-problems-employees-feel-little-no-responsibility-curb-health-care-spending-even) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://segalbenz.com/blog/hr-executive-health-benefits-leadership-conference-recap&title=HR%20Executive%20Health%20&%20Benefits%20Leadership%20Conference%20recap) Last week at the HR Executive Health & Benefits Leadership Conference, [Carol Harnett](http://about.me/carolharnett) and [Fran Melmed](http://contextcommunication.com/about.htm) recorded one of their CoHealth Checkup shows. I joined the conversation, along with four other employee benefits leaders, for a discussion about the conference and employee benefits. We were joined by: Andrew Gold, Executive Director, Global Benefits Planning, Pitney Bowes; Janet McNichol, Human Resources Director, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Vlad Gyster, CEO and Founder, H.Engage; Bonnie Pang, Vice President, Employee Benefits, Atlas Insurance Agency. You can also see a great recap that [John Hollon](https://twitter.com/johnhollon) wrote about the conference, [here](http://www.tlnt.com). And [Janet McNichol](https://twitter.com/jmcnichol) wrote up a great [reading list based on recommendations at the conference](http://www.insideworkplacewellness.com/2013/05/reading-list-from-human-resource.html). The Twittersphere was also buzzing with the hashtag #BenefitsConf. Here's what people had to say: [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf)-Here's to J Benz and team for an awesome start to this new conference! — Tom Sondergeld (@quietype) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/quietype/status/326378634350837761)   [@jenbenz](https://twitter.com/jenbenz): Nothing more important right now than health & financial security. Benefits pros can help achieve that. [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) — Kelley M. Butler (@kelleytheeditor) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/kelleytheeditor/status/326359417786347522)   “@dbitesa: Excited to get the [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) started! yes! Great setting at the Aria — Matthew Feir (@dbimatt) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/dbimatt/status/326374782935375872)   Great keynote Dr. Leopold - Employee Benefits Forever? Yes. 70% of cost is absence and prod driven + recruit & retention val [#Benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23Benefitsconf) — Praveen Mooganur (@Mooganur) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/Mooganur/status/326375717854138368)   70% of costs due to poor health are productivity based, not direct health costs. Great slide for Sr mgmt [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) — Andrew Gold (@Andrewgold914) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/Andrewgold914/status/326375534340739072)   3 barriers Paychex encountered in implementing their wellness program (1) org culture (2) technology (3) employee wariness [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) — Janet McNichol (@jmcnichol) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/jmcnichol/status/326452335985430529)   Me too! “@[jenbenz](https://twitter.com/jenbenz): Wish I could attend every breakout session! [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf)” — Carol Harnett (@carolharnett) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/carolharnett/status/326452631692271616)   Cindy VP from MGM Grand - our employees are our customers and that's how we treat them. [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) — Stephanie Camp (@stephaniecamp) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/stephaniecamp/status/326453656411054080)   If @[thehartford](https://twitter.com/thehartford) is taking requests, I'd love to hear "Material Girl," & "Don't You Forget About Me" tonight at @[arialv](https://twitter.com/arialv)! [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) — Kelley M. Butler (@kelleytheeditor) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/kelleytheeditor/status/326473036456927232)   Benefits pros getting their game faces on in preparation for 2014 | [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) blog.hreonline.com/2013/04/22/ben… via @[hrexecmag](https://twitter.com/hrexecmag) — David Shadovitz (@dshadovitz) [April 23, 2013](https://twitter.com/dshadovitz/status/326496167506624513)   [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) @[williamtincup](https://twitter.com/williamtincup) led a panel demonstrating that benefits innovation is alive and well — Donna Joseph (@BenefitsCoach) [April 23, 2013](https://twitter.com/BenefitsCoach/status/326502702043508736)   And what % of the pharma TV ads I wonder - RT @[jmcnichol](https://twitter.com/jmcnichol): US had 5% of world population in 2012 and 48% of pharmacy spend. [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) — Steve Boese (@SteveBoese) [April 23, 2013](https://twitter.com/SteveBoese/status/326809754825547778)   [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf)Jen Benz moderates panel; ACA questions facingemployers: Home Depot, Hawaiian Airlines, Marriott, & Pitney Bowes discuss — Lenny Sanicola (@WorldatWork_Len) April 23, 2013   Matt kicks off his keynote at [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) [twitter.com/hellowallet/st…](http://t.co/WRurzsANQd) — HelloWallet (@hellowallet) [April 23, 2013](https://twitter.com/hellowallet/status/326836579282853889)   Yesterday's panel on behavior change, led by @[carolharnett](https://twitter.com/carolharnett), was captivating! [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) — Bob Merberg (@WellWork) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/WellWork/status/327074023789973504)   Feel like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting to hear @[femelmed](https://twitter.com/femelmed) speak at [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf). [#imabenefitsnerd](https://twitter.com/search/%23imabenefitsnerd) — Kelley M. Butler (@kelleytheeditor) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/kelleytheeditor/status/327082729596391425)   White paper shared in Bending the Cost Curve - Employee Benefits: Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth? coloniallife.com/Newsroom/~/med… [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) — Janet McNichol (@jmcnichol) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/jmcnichol/status/327124775291998209)   No worries! RT @[quietype](https://twitter.com/quietype): [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf)-Ready to hear some great benefits leaders! Hope we don't turn it into a PPACA therapy session! ;-) — Jennifer Benz (@jenbenz) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/jenbenz/status/326361273094787072)   Our team! Dir of Tech @[jonstuckey](https://twitter.com/jonstuckey) Sr Consultant Liz Rowell, Creative Dir Isabelle (with gelato!) [ow.ly/i/1WPBV](http://t.co/udIEyZLp8I) [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) — Jennifer Benz (@jenbenz) [April 22, 2013](https://twitter.com/jenbenz/status/326437446399168512)   Got to meet the director of [#HR](https://twitter.com/search/%23HR) for @[cheesecake](https://twitter.com/cheesecake) Factory today, merging 2 of my great loves: HR & dessert! [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) — Kelley M. Butler (@kelleytheeditor) [April 23, 2013](https://twitter.com/kelleytheeditor/status/326833661922123776)   [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) Fellowes: We are all connected by the desire to improve BEHAVIOR [#benefits](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefits) — Lenny Sanicola (@WorldatWork_Len) April 23, 2013   Thank you @[jenbenz](https://twitter.com/jenbenz) and the organizers of [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) for putting together a great event this week. We have really enjoyed participating — HelloWallet (@hellowallet) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/hellowallet/status/327045143842664448)   Had a great time @[benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/benefitsconf). Thanks to all the great speakers and panelists. [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) — Jon Stuckey (@jonstuckey) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/jonstuckey/status/327165849679036417)   Thank you to the entire [#BenefitsConf](https://twitter.com/search/%23BenefitsConf) team for putting together a fantastic & informative conference. — Limeade (@Limeade) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/Limeade/status/327174965629685761)   Great conference. So many interesting sessions-wish I could have been in two places at once. [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) — r passantino (@r_passantino) April 24, 2013   A great three days of benefits thought leaders, old and new friends! TU! @[benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/benefitsconf)@[jenbenz](https://twitter.com/jenbenz) @[ronleopold](https://twitter.com/ronleopold) @[carolharnett](https://twitter.com/carolharnett) @[sumortinjr](https://twitter.com/sumortinjr) — Nate Randall (@n8randall) [April 25, 2013](https://twitter.com/n8randall/status/327251024773537793)   Big thanks to all the attendees, speakers & sponsors who made [#benefitsconf](https://twitter.com/search/%23benefitsconf) a huge success! Looking forward to next year! First, the pool! — Jennifer Benz (@jenbenz) [April 24, 2013](https://twitter.com/jenbenz/status/327194593441497088)   Be sure to mark your calendars for next year's conference! March 17–19, 2014. ### Work with Us We partner with organizations that value their people first. [Let’s talk.](https://segalbenz.com/contact-us-form?hsLang=en) ![Jennifer Benz](https://segalbenz.com/hubfs/Jen%20Benz-2017.jpg) [Jennifer Benz](https://segalbenz.com/blog/author/jennifer-benz-svp-communications-leader) Jennifer Benz, SVP Communications Leader, has been on the leading edge of employee benefits for more than 20 years and is an influential voice in the employee benefits industry. ![Lenovo client story banner](https://segalbenz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lenovo-tile-770x770-1.png?width=400&height=400&name=Lenovo-tile-770x770-1.png) Client Stories Learn how we help our clients achieve results. [ Go to client stories ](https://segalbenz.com/client-stories) Sign Up for Our Email Stay up to date with the latest in HR and benefits communications. [ Subscribe now ](https://segalbenz.com/email-alert-signup-form) Resources on Demand Check out our library of resources—free to download! [ Explore resources ](https://segalbenz.com/resources)