bswift’s podcast series

Don leads business development and carrier partner relationships for bswift’s marketplace and contributes to the development of consumer-facing technology, including bswift’s Ask Emma decision support tool.

As a VP of business development, Sharon is responsible for driving growth across the channel partner division. In addition, she contributes to bswift marketing and sales enablement programs as well as new development initiatives.

EPISODE 30:
Emma™ Asks the Experts: The Future of AI in Benefits Administration

Join hosts Don and Sharon as they explore the latest AI enhancements to bswift’s groundbreaking AI-powered platform intelligence, Emma. In this episode, we chat with Emma herself (yes, you read that right!) alongside her creators: Jeff Kirk (VP of AI), Vinita Pilani (SVP of Product Engineering), and Adam Perkins (VP of Strategic Product Management). Emma talks with them about the cutting-edge HR tech behind her upgrade. From natural language processing and user-friendly interface design to personalized recommendations and contextual education features, discover how Emma is setting new standards in employee benefits experiences.

EPISODE 29:
Building the Future of HR with AI: A Chat with Jeff Kirk

In this episode, Don and Sharon talk with bswift’s VP of AI Jeff Kirk about how artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the workplace and the employee benefits space. Jeff shares his career journey from the early days of the internet to pivotal roles like working on Amazon’s Alexa team. Tune in for thought-provoking perspectives on developing AI responsibly while transforming work. Jeff offers a roadmap for how AI can act as a copilot that empowers employers and enhances experiences for customers and employees alike.

EPISODE 27:
Streamlining Benefits Admin: Real-World Wisdom from Industry Vet Maria Yao

Overwhelmed by the accelerating pace of change in benefits administration? The latest episode of the bWise Podcast is a master class in optimizing operations. Listen in as industry heavyweight and bswift advisory council member Maria Yao distills 30+ years of frontline expertise. In this insightful interview, you’ll uncover her three pillars of operational excellence – comprehensive training, rigorous documentation, and continuous simplification – and gain insights into fostering healthy team dynamics. Maria also offers a grounded perspective on leveraging automation and AI in HR tech while maintaining the critical human touch. Tune in for Maria’s straight-shooting advice and elevate your operational capabilities.

EPISODE 26:
Achieving Liftoff: Lana Hillebrand’s Journey From Astronaut Aspirations to HR Industry Leader

In this episode, hosts Don and Sharon sit down with HR and benefits administration leader Lana Hillebrand, former Chief Administrative Officer at American Electric Power Company, Inc., who recently joined bswift’s advisory council. Lana shares her early career aspirations—which began with a bold declaration as a young girl that she wanted to be an astronaut—and what ultimately led her to a successful career in HR. Based on her experiences consulting and leading HR, she offers invaluable advice to consultants, vendors, job seekers, and anyone else in the industry. Listen in as Lana discusses the importance of relationship building, thought leadership, flexibility, and more. You’ll walk away with practical tips for navigating change and thriving in this fast-paced field.

EPISODE 25:
Navigating the Future of Ben Admin: A Conversation With Scott Millson

On this episode, benefit administration insider Scott Millson shares his unique perspective on his over three decades in the employee benefits field. Listen in as Scott reflects on major industry transformations, from the rise of online enrollment to emerging technologies like AI. He also offers a look into writing his upcoming book and why he was drawn to joining the bswift Advisory Council. Listeners will walk away with practical advice on thriving in this fast-evolving business landscape.

EPISODE 24:
Ice Baths to Client Service Excellence: A Conversation With bswift COO Amit Jain

Listen in as bswift Chief Operating Officer, Amit Jain, talks about his passion for client service, his unique approach to leadership, and his vision for the future. Amit also shares his love for cold therapy (Wim Hof, anyone?), and how it influences his work ethic and dedication to delivering results. He dives deep into the challenges and opportunities in the benefits administration industry, and outlines bswift’s strategy for consistently exceeding client expectations. You’ll also hear about Amit’s commitment to building a culture of “higher standards,” “greater accountability,” and yes, even “more fun” at bswift.

EPISODE 23:
Shaping Culture and Service: A People-First Approach to HR with bswift’s Natalie Atwood

How can HR professionals be true people partners that empower and shape company culture? bswift’s Chief People Officer Natalie Atwood talks with bWise hosts Don and Sharon about her passion for putting people first. Learn how she’s guiding bswift’s cultural evolution—focusing on talent, transparency, engagement, and wellbeing. Natalie also discusses key elements of bswift’s benefits admin success like speed, simplicity, and creating a culture of connection in a remote-first world. Tune in for an uplifting discussion on leading with care, trust, and fun.

EPISODE 22:
Driving Operational Excellence at bswift With Adam Hostetter

Get an insider’s look at how bswift’s Head of Operational Excellence, Adam Hostetter, is driving major improvements. Learn how his team is enhancing service delivery, upgrading technology, and aligning workstreams to accelerate growth. Adam shares insights on creating organizational alignment through visibility and communication. Hear how he employs urgency, quick wins, and constant iteration to lead successful change management. He also talks through balancing data-driven decisions with leadership instincts, maintaining work-life balance, and not losing sight of core entrepreneurial truths. Tune in for an illuminating discussion on how Adam’s operational leadership expertise is propelling bswift’s world-class benefits administration.

EPISODE 21:
bswift’s Bright Future, Mission, and Passion, With bswift CEO Ted Bloomberg

Join hosts Don and Sharon as they speak with Ted Bloomberg, bswift’s CEO, about bswift’s bright future as we emerge as a standalone organization. In this episode, you’ll learn more about bswift’s leadership, what fuels our passion for our clients and partners, and our commitment to deliver excellent technology and service to all those we serve. Don and Sharon will discuss how the fundamentals of transparency, communication, and accountability are the foundational elements bswift roots itself in to drive the business. Settle in for fun and fast-paced dialogue that even includes a baseball story or two!

EPISODE 20:
Digital Transformation: HR and Employee Engagement, With NFP’s Mark Rieder

Join hosts Don and Sharon live from bswift’s Idea Exchange conference in sunny Orlando, Florida, as they speak with Mark Rieder, NFP’s head of innovation, about digital transformation! In this episode, we’ll explore how digital transformation can improve the employee experience, boost customer satisfaction, increase productivity, and drive greater profitability for the company. They’ll discuss cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, ChatGPT, and other digital tools that are changing benefits administration and HR. Plus they share tips for navigating the challenges of change. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the future of business.

Looking to catch up on past episodes of the bswift podcast series? We have an extensive library of previous episodes that you can access anytime, anywhere, on your preferred platform. Simply search for the bWise podcast on popular podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeart.

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