Wellbeing Research Insights and Emerging Themes

The year 2020 was marked by turmoil that few organizations could have predicted. COVID-19 invaded seemingly every aspect of our society and economy, creating financial, emotional, physical and social strain for many. To help employees adapt and thrive in this challenging environment, organizations have redoubled their efforts to build sturdier, more effective wellbeing programs. Willis Towers Watson research shows that organizations with higher levels of wellbeing achieve better business outcomes and employees who are financially secure, emotionally balanced, physically well and socially connected are more engaged and productive at work.

Join Willis Towers Watson for this event sharing our research and insights into:

• Elevating wellbeing programs

• Helping create greater employee resilience in challenging times

• Navigating diverse approaches to wellbeing based on employee and organizational needs

• Personalizing wellbeing solutions that are meaningful and valuable for employees

• Making the most of vendor partnerships for a complete experience

SHRM, HRCI and WorldatWork credits available

SHRM - 1.0 Credit

HRCI - 1.0 Specified Credit Hours: HR (General)

WorldatWork credit approved

Speaker Bio

  Regina Ihrke, ASA, MAAA

Wellbeing Leader – North America

Background and professional experience

Regina Ihrke is the North America Wellbeing leader. She has been with WTW for over 20 years, spending the majority of her time in the Retirement and Health and Benefits lines of business. Regina specializes in retirement and health and group benefits, and she has assisted companies throughout the Midwest in a wide variety of industries, including franchise restaurants, financial services, retail, airlines, manufacturing and utilities. Regina’s work experience includes:

• Helping clients design impactful benefits strategy with financial sustainability and exceptional employee experience

• Designing wellbeing strategies that address a member’s moment that matters and is fully integrated across the four pillars of solutions, including physical, emotional, financial and social

• Developing funding and expense policies that best respond to the changing regulatory environment and clients’ business needs

• Developing network strategies that deliver pay-for-performance models, including high-performing networks, direct contracting and centers of excellence

• Assisting in developing strategies for labor negotiations, including analyzing the risks and opportunities available from union proposals

• Performing plan design studies for merging organizations and joint ventures

• Overseeing clients’ health and welfare plan management, including health maintenance organization renewals, medical RFPs and premium rate setting

• Developing workforce, health care and retirement benefit strategies

Education and credentials

Regina holds a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois. She is the designated signing actuary for her clients and an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).

      Robyn Harmon, MSPH

Director, Health Management Consulting

Health and Benefits Practice

West Region

Public Health Expert

Relevant Experience/Specialization

Robyn is part of the Health Management team for the Willis Towers Watson Human Capital and Benefits Practice. She has more than 17 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Robyn assists clients in the design of comprehensive health management strategies, including wellbeing solutions, program best practice design, data analysis and interpretation, and vendor selection. She also supports internal professional development of health management capabilities and best practices.

Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Robyn was in the healthcare insurance industry directing, developing, and executing on health and wellness strategies for clients. She has extensive experience evaluating vendor solutions, developing multi-year strategies, and supporting clients to achieve program success. She has presented at national and local conferences, was a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson for local television segments, and presented in national customer webinar series. Robyn also supported public health agency-wide program activities, worked closely with community programs, analyzed and identified public health trends, and was awarded and managed a three-year Kaiser Permanente community-based grant to improve policies and environmental changes that encouraged healthy eating and active living in a CO community.

Robyn leverages her Masters of Science in Public Health by serving as a Public Health Expert for Willis Towers Watson providing a broad range of expertise on COVID-19. She has contributed to the firm’s intellectual capital related to the COVID-19 pandemic and built strong relationships with vendors who support return to work strategies. Robyn utilizes evidence-based insights, up-to-date information, and best practices to consult with clients to assist them through unique challenges and needs.

Education and Credentials

Robyn received her Bachelors of Arts degree in biology from Trinity University and a Master of Science in Public Health degree from the University of South Florida. She has completed the Thriving Workplace Culture certification through SalveoPartners and has served on several committees including the American Heart Association’s Corporate Health Committee and the American Diabetes Association Event Chair.