---
title: Vita | Building for What's Next
description: Join industry leaders on April 16, 2026, in Mountain View, CA, for insights on benefits, compliance, and workforce strategy at this in-person event.
image: https://vitacompanies.com/hubfs/roger%20bar2.jpg
---
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### April 16, 2026
# Building for What's Next
### Join a curated group of HR leaders for a day of practical, peer-driven conversation.
[Reserve Your Spot ](https://vitacompanies.com/building-for-whats-next-partner#reserve-spot) [Explore Agenda ](https://vitacompanies.com/building-for-whats-next-partner#full-agenda)
Date
April 16, 2026
TIME
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION
Mountain View, CA
EARN
SHRM & HRCI Credit
## .
HR leaders are navigating rising healthcare costs, increasing compliance pressure, and evolving workforce expectations.
This event brings together a curated group of peers to discuss what's working and what's next.
Join HR leaders to explore:
| | Healthcare cost strategy |
| --- | --- |
| | Compliance and fiduciary risk |
| | Emerging benefits (GLP-1, LSAs) |
| | Workforce and total rewards strategy |
.
### See What We'll Cover
- [Morning Breakout: Track 1
Healthcare & Benefits Strategy
](https://vitacompanies.com/building-for-whats-next-partner#Beyonce1)
- [Morning Breakout: Track 2
Workforce Experience & Financial Wellbeing
](https://vitacompanies.com/building-for-whats-next-partner#Beyonce2)
- [Afternoon General Session
Leadership in Action: Governance,
Accountability & Performance
](https://vitacompanies.com/building-for-whats-next-partner#Beyonce3)
8:30 - 9:30 AM
### The New Health Benefits Landscape: GLP-1, LSAs, Family-Forming & Caregiving Benefits
GLP-1 therapies, lifestyle spending accounts, expanded family-forming programs, and caregiving benefits are reshaping the cost structure and competitive dynamics of employer-sponsored healthcare. What were once emerging offerings are now strategic decisions with meaningful financial, clinical, and workforce implications.
This session examines how HR leaders can evaluate adoption, manage risk, and align innovation with long-term sustainability through both a workforce and fiduciary lens — balancing employee demand, health outcomes, and long-term cost containment.
You'll leave with: a structured framework for assessing emerging benefits, aligning innovation with financial responsibility, and building a business case that demonstrates measurable value.
**Amy Byrne | Vice President, Benefits | Vita
Jason Lombardi | Vice President, Benefits | Vita
James Mun | Account Executive | Vita**
9:45 - 10:45 AM
### Benefits Without Borders: Measuring Equity Across a Global Workforce
As workforces become increasingly distributed, ensuring equitable benefits across geographies has become both a compliance challenge and a cultural imperative. This session examines strategies for aligning global benefits offerings while respecting local regulations and workforce expectations.
You'll leave with: insights on advancing equity at scale, managing global compliance risk, and building consistency across regions without sacrificing flexibility.
**Erik Hansen | President | Vita
Eddie Gow | Global Benefits Lead | Vita
Stephen Wares | Vice President, Business Development | CCW Business Solutions**
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
### Blueprint for Fiduciary Compliance: Risk Proof Your Benefit Programs
You’ve seen the lawsuits. You’ve read a dozen articles. You feel a low hum of panic. You know you need to do *something* . . . but what exactly are you supposed to do?
In this session, we will present an actual blueprint for fiduciary compliance. Straightforward answers along with an outline of the steps necessary to create your fiduciary compliance program will be provided.
Come with questions and uncertainty. Leave with answers and a plan.
**Rae Lee Clark | Chief Compliance Officer | Vita
Caroline Barkley | Benefits Practice Lead | Vita**
8:30 - 9:30 AM
### Financial Wellness Reimagined: The Outcomes of Leading Employer-Sponsored Programs
Financial stress directly impacts productivity, retention, and overall workforce wellbeing. From retirement plan design and HSA optimization to student loan support, emerging savings vehicles, and evolving policy shifts such as “Trump accounts” and other tax-advantaged structures, employers are playing an increasingly strategic role in long-term financial security.
You'll leave with: a broader perspective on financial wellbeing as a measurable workforce investment and practical considerations for aligning programs with multi-generational needs while driving participation, impact, and sustainable outcomes.
**Karl Hansen | CEO | Vita
Tim Gallagher | Retirement Plan Advisor | Vita
Sharon Swenson | Account Executive | Vita**
9:45 - 10:45 AM
### Leave and Accommodation Law Updates, Including ADA, PWFA and FMLA
Join us for an informative and lively presentation from Sun Life’s in-house legal counsel Marjory Robertson as she provides updates on the evolving compliance challenges related to leave and accommodation laws, both in California and nationally. She’ll cover key issues related to the ADA and PWFA, including job-protected leave, work-from-home arrangements, as well as special guidance on accommodating mental health conditions. She will also review recent jury verdicts in leave and accommodation case.
**Marjory Robertson |** Assistant Vice President & Senior Counsel | Sun Life
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
### The Digital Shift: Building a Scalable People Platform
Benefits technology is no longer just an administrative tool — it’s core infrastructure in an increasingly AI-enabled workplace. From automation and advanced analytics to employee experience platforms and AI-driven insights, HR tech is transforming how organizations deliver benefits, manage compliance, and make data-informed decisions at scale. As the vendor landscape rapidly evolves, leaders must think strategically about integration, governance, and long-term partnership.
You'll leave with: practical insights on navigating the expanding HR tech ecosystem, evaluating and selecting AI-enabled people-tech partners, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency, strengthen oversight, and align benefits data with broader business strategy.
**Erik Hansen | President | Vita
Mariko Ryon | Account Executive | Vita
Tessa Mullet | Account Manager | Vita**
1:00 - 2:15 PM
### US Healthcare in Transition: Cost Pressures, Policy Shifts & What's Ahead
Healthcare costs continue to climb amid inflationary pressure, PBM reform efforts, evolving HSA policy discussions, premium tax credit changes, and ongoing uncertainty in Washington. As reimbursement models shift and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, employers are navigating a landscape shaped by both forces outside their control and strategic decisions within it. This session provides a timely view of what’s happening in DC, how policy shifts may impact employer-sponsored coverage, and where financial and compliance exposure is emerging.
You'll leave with: a clearer understanding of what’s driving cost acceleration, insight into the CFO–HR tension around cost containment, and practical strategies to strengthen your position — balancing what can be influenced versus what must be managed.
**Kristen Rivers | Senior Vice President | ParetoHealth
Rae Lee Clark | Chief Compliance Officer | Vita
Caroline Barkley | Benefits Practice Lead | Vita
Haley Dzundza | Account Executive | Vita**
2:30 - 3:30 PM
### Panel Discussion: Future Focused Leadership
Strategy only matters if it’s executed effectively.
In this closing panel, we’ll bring together leaders with diverse perspectives to explore what it takes to lead in a rapidly changing world. From performance and equity to sustainability and the role of AI, this conversation will reflect the real challenges and opportunities shaping the future of leadership.
This session is designed as an open, thought-provoking discussion grounded in lived experience. Panelists will share how they are navigating change, making decisions under pressure, and evolving their approach to leading people and organizations.
You'll leave with: practical leadership insights, new ways of thinking about alignment and impact, and a clear perspective on how to lead through transformation.
**Erik Hansen | President | Vita
Charles Reader | Chief Talent Officer | California Health Care Foundation
Carmel Smith | Director, People Operations & Programs | Tenstorrent
Kim Minnick | Fractional People Ops | FPP, Code Traveller HR**
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3:30 - 5:00 PM
### Networking & Happy Hour
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****
### Hear directly from leaders navigating these challenges.
#### Marjory Robertson
#### AVP & Senior Counsel Sun Life
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.png?width=300&height=300&name=kristen-rivers%20(1).png)
#### Kristen Rivers
#### Senior Vice President ParetoHealth
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#### Charles Reader
#### Chief Talent Officer California Health Care Foundation
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.png?width=300&height=300&name=carmel-smith%20(1).png)
#### Carmel Smith
#### Director, People Operations & Programs Tenstorrent
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.png?width=300&height=300&name=kim-minnick%20(1).png)
#### Kim Minnick
#### Fractional People Ops FPP, Code Traveller HR
Vita
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#### Erik Hansen
#### President Vita
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#### Karl Hansen
#### CEO Vita
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#### Rae Lee Clark
#### Chief Compliance Officer Vita
Vita
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#### Caroline Barkley
#### Benefits Practice Lead Vita
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#### Eddie Gow
#### Global Benefits Lead Vita
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### Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
- [
Lunch Sponsor
](https://sparrow.com/)
- [.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=pareto-health-logo%20(3).png)
Happy Hour Sponsor
](https://www.paretohealth.com/)
- [.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=adp-logo%20(2).png)
Session Sponsor
](https://www.adp.com/)
- [
Session Sponsor
](https://www.guardianlife.com/)
- [
Session Sponsor
](https://www.nayya.com/)
### Ready to join us?
Reserve your complimentary spot today.
[Reserve Your Spot](https://vitacompanies.com/building-for-whats-next-partner#reserve-spot)