SPEAKERS DETAILS & BIOS:
Lisa Foster, Mindful Transformation
Lisa has been in the field of Organizational Effectiveness and Change Management since 2000. Currently, she is a Principal of Mindful Transformation's global network of professional talent management practitioners. Lisa gained deep generalist experience while working at Aramark, Hyatt, Allegis Global Solutions, and CVS Health.
As a consultant, Lisa is sought after to analyze organizational effectiveness and implement key initiatives in Human Resources, DEI, and Talent Acquisition. Her approach and philosophy are simple: seek to understand first. By ensuring everyone has a chance to be understood, feel respected, and supported, we can bring change while increasing engagement and productivity. She leverages her unique experience to find common ground and language that engages stakeholders and transforms results while improving efficiencies. And even when the situation can feel tense, people rely on her positive energy, and the balance of methodical, rational thinking, and personal connection.
Lisa’s clients range from start-ups in Fintech to Fortune 100 publicly traded organizations and Non-profit organizations. She is a Committee Member for The Network of Executive Women, HR Subject Matter Expert, and Regional DEI Ambassador for SCORE. SCORE is a non-profit funded by the SBA to provide free confidential counseling to small businesses as a volunteer organization.
Lisa McCoy, Pariseault Builders
As HR Manager for Pariseault Builders, Inc, Lisa leads the day-to-day administration as well as the long-term strategic planning and execution of the Human Resources function for the organization. Lisa has a decade of experience in HR, in both retail and construction sectors. She earned a B.S. in Business Management from Stonehill College in 2005 and Certified Professional HR certification from the Society of Human Resource Management in 2019. Lisa currently serves on the Programs Committee for RI SHRM. In addition, she has served as Team Captain for the Greater Boston chapter of Autism Speaks since 2008.
PANELISTS DETAILS & BIOS:
Kate Kennedy, USI
Kate is an accomplished benefits consultant with a track record of partnering with employers to deploy strategic solutions that lead to improved employee engagement and business performance. In her current position as Vice President with USI’s Employee Benefits Consulting team in the Rhode Island office, Kate brings over 17 years of experience in the employee benefits and consulting industry. USI takes a fundamentally different approach to risk management and employee benefits, integrating proprietary business analytics with a networked team of local and national experts in a consultative planning process that generates targeted recommendations and financial impact for clients. These efforts result in cost savings to our employer clients along with added value in their benefits offerings.
Prior to joining USI, Kennedy was a vice president of client management at Provant Health, a leading provider of corporate wellness programs. Previously, she was a client manager and business development strategist at Mercer specializing in HR benefits strategy, employee engagement and wellbeing. Additionally, she was executive director at the Rhode Island Business Group on Health.
Kate is a graduate of Providence College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English, and a graduate of University of Delaware where she earned her Master’s degree in English. Kate is a Board Member on the Rhode Island Business Group on Health and President of the Providence College National Alumni Association Council. She is also a member of the Rhode Island Commodores, The Boston Club and an alumna of Leadership Rhode Island.
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John Davia, BCBS
John Davia is the Manager, Well-being Solutions for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). John manages a team of well-being consultants tasked with helping clients design and implement data-driven employee wellness strategies. John has been with BCBSRI for thirteen years; is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology; and is a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist through the Employer Healthcare and Benefits Congress (EHBC). He lives in Coventry, RI with his wife and two children; is an avid soccer player; and volunteers on the Health & Productivity committee for the Rhode Island Business Group on Health.
Elizabeth A. Tucker, eMoney Advisor
Elizabeth is a seasoned human resources professional with 15+ years of industry experience. Currently, she leads the Total Rewards team at eMoney Advisor where she focuses on creating a total rewards strategy that provides exciting, cutting-edge and competitive rewards while maintaining organizational affordability. Prior to joining eMoney Advisor, Elizabeth built her robust skill set through her work in compensation and benefits, employee relations, workforce development and several other areas of HR. Elizabeth also sits on the Executive Leadership Team for the Go Red For Women movement with the American Heart Association and serves as Chair for the Circle of Rose’ group of emerging leaders.
Jen McKay, Brown University
Jennifer McKay earned an M.A. in clinical health psychology from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, where her research primarily focused on complementary and alternative medicine, and body image discussion. She interned in behavioral medicine at Hartford Hospital, Hartford CT, before beginning work as a health educator and Wellcoaches-certified health coach at a corporate subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island in 2008; as such, she worked with clients across the United States facilitating health behavior change programming. She later worked as a worksite wellness product development consultant for Well Solutions, Providence, RI, and as an adjunct educational psychology instructor at Dean College, Franklin MA, before joining the team at Brown in January 2014. At Brown, she has worked with colleagues throughout the University to vastly expand faculty/staff wellness program engagement across all populations.
Linda Ann Morales, Thrive Behavioral Health
Human Resources Director at Thrive Behavioral Health since July 2020. Human Resources Professional with over 25 years of Human Resources work experience including Networking Consultant and Human Resources Consultant. Linda also has over 20 years of experience in Occupational Health and Safety. Linda has brought her depth of experience to a variety of industries. Such as, manufacturing, nonprofit, ship building and hospitality. In addition, Linda has volunteered her time and talent to many non-profit organizations.
Sean Carney, 360 Corporate Benefit Advisors
Sean has been active in the field of employee benefits consulting since 1993. Prior to becoming a Principal at 360 CBA, he was a consultant handling midsize businesses to Fortune 500 companies for one of the nation’s largest insurance companies.
As a consultant, Sean brings strong personal skills and expertise in carrier premium/fee negotiations, plan benchmarking and creative strategic planning. As a former carrier insider, Sean is a tenacious and seasoned negotiator understanding the financial structure of benefit plans while at the same time balancing the needs of his clients and carrier risk tolerance.
Sean’s clients range from colleges and universities to publicly traded organizations. His passion and experience, combined with his proactive service, is Sean’s greatest asset to his clients.
Sean is a proud supporter and committee member of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an international non-profit organization committed to providing children with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions a camping experience of the highest quality, while extending year-round support to their families and health care providers.
