Topic: Retaining Employees through Recognition

Presented By: Elizabeth Stillwell, Area Vice President, Human Resources & Compensation Consulting, and Danielle Hunter, GBDS, Area Vice President, Health and Welfare Consulting, of Gallagher

According to Gallagher's National Benchmarking Survey, retention key talent was ranked as the top operational and HR priority for thousands of US employers in 2024. It is evident that retaining employees requires a deliberate effort. In Gallagher's December 2023 Organizational Well-being poll, employers identified employee appreciation and recognition as the foremost strategic priority for attracting, retaining, and engaging talent in 2024. The same poll in May, 2023 also revealed that over 70% of organizations were either implementing or considering starting a structured recognition program, indicating the significance of recognition. However, creating a meaningful recognition program for your organization and employees is not a one-size-fits-all approach. To ensure success, your program should align with your organizational strategy, produce desired outcomes, and be fair and consistent with your overall rewards strategy. Join us in this session to learn how to design, implement, and evolve a recognition program that enhances your employees' experience.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn the building blocks of a meaningful recognition program.
• Understand the key types of recognition and appreciation and how to incorporate these into your workplace.
• Discuss trends in technology and software to support recognition programs.
• Review compliance, ethical and equity concerns related to workplace rewards.
• Review how recognition and appreciation fits into and supports your existing total rewards strategy.
• Crowdsource and explore ways to practically apply this knowledge through action in your organization.

Danielle Hunter, GBDS

Danielle Hunter is an Area Vice President with Gallagher’s Health & Welfare practice.

Danielle uses 20 years of experience and knowledge of the healthcare industry to help client employers design, implement and manage a customized benefit strategy that best aligns with their corporate objectives and enhances their retention and recruitment initiatives. Danielle enjoys locating innovative solutions to create an optimal experience for employees to access and navigate through the healthcare landscape.

Prior to joining Gallagher, Danielle served as Strategic Account Executive/Producer Associate at Marsh and McLennan and McGriff.

Danielle holds the designation of Group Benefits Disability Specialist and is a member of Women In Insurance (WIN) BCBSNC’s Women’s Empowerment Association for insurance professionals and Women in Motion (WIM), a women’s initiative to encourage leadership, personal wellness and financial independence. Danielle is also an active member in her community by volunteering in the Triad with Junior Achievement and Guilford County Schools’ “Sister 2 Sister” Program in an effort to encourage the youth, especially young women to reach for the stars.

Elizabeth Stillwell

Elizabeth Stillwell serves as an Area Vice President with Gallagher's Human Resources Consulting practice, based in Durham, North Carolina. She brings more than 14 years of experience in risk management, human resources and total rewards with progressively increasing responsibility. In her role at Gallagher, she acts as a strategic partner to help businesses navigate complex organizational challenges. She works with clients to view people and culture decisions through a risk management lens, developing innovative solutions that align with business goals. Elizabeth collaborates with Gallagher's comprehensive network of industry experts to ensure the timely delivery of transformative work to support client goals.

Before joining Gallagher in 2022, Elizabeth held leadership roles in several organizations, working primarily in the insurance, manufacturing and construction industries. Her extensive experience in all areas of the human resources function includes expertise in total rewards design, engagement, performance and organizational change management. In her role as vice president of People and Culture at a B-Corp-certified national manufacturing company, she led initiatives on workplace equity, open book management, workplace belonging, pay transparency and stakeholder governance.

Pending Approval for 1 hour of HRCI General Credit and 1 hour of SHRM Credit

Should you have any last minute (within 48 hours of the event) changes please comply with our cancellation policy by contacting hrmagsohospitality@gmail.com.