Preparing for the Workforce of the Future: Insights from John Hearn

Preparing for the Workforce of the Future: Insights from John Hearn

If AI, cyber risk, healthcare costs, and workforce change feel like separate challenges, this episode shows why they are connected and how HR can help lead the response. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including AI, workforce strategy, healthcare cost management, leadership, and organizational change. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * The Obstacle Is the Way – Explore Ryan Holiday’s practical framework for turning obstacles, uncertainty, and resistance into a path forward. * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with John Hearn, Chief Operating Officer at IMA Financial Group, to discuss how HR leaders can help organizations prepare for a workforce being reshaped by AI. John explains why leaders need to look beyond short-term tools and first define what the workforce, customer relationship, and operating model must look like in three to five years. They explore how ambiguity and change fatigue can stall action, why organizations should move before they have perfect information, and how protected AI environments, clear policies, workforce upskilling, and stronger human connection skills can create a foundation for responsible innovation. John also breaks down the cybersecurity and data risks of unmanaged AI use, the need to balance speed with enterprise scale, and the role HR can play in bringing operations, IT, and leadership into a disciplined strategic conversation. The discussion also turns to healthcare cost pressure and why employers must be willing to challenge conventional approaches rather than let a misaligned system control their choices. For HR leaders navigating AI, workforce planning, healthcare costs, and organizational change, John offers a practical case for acting now, leading strategically, and treating disruption as an opportunity. Guest Bio: John Hearn is Chief Operating Officer at IMA Financial Group. He brings decades of experience across risk management, insurance, employee benefits, and business leadership. In his role, John helps guide IMA’s operations and long-term strategy, with a focus on scalable growth, workforce development, innovation, and client impact. He is also a recognized voice on healthcare reform and employer strategies for challenging the status quo, managing cost trends, and creating better outcomes for organizations and their employees. His current work includes helping leaders think more intentionally about AI adoption, cyber risk, organizational change, and the skills companies will need to remain relevant in the years ahead. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:37: John’s family background, twin sister, travel to 47 states, and personal introduction. * 01:37 - 03:58: The workforce of the future, end-to-end processes, and building a foundation for AI. * 03:58 - 06:36: Leading through ambiguity, acting with incomplete information, and overcoming change fatigue. * 06:36 - 08:53: Protected AI tools, employee upskilling, and the growing importance of human connection and “power skills.” * 08:53 - 10:46: How HR can frame AI as a strategic business issue for CEOs and boards. * 10:46 - 14:57: The Smith Corona lesson, future workforce questions, and why organizations must scale prudently. * 14:57 - 19:43: Healthcare cost pressure, systemic misalignment, and helping employers regain control. * 19:43 - 23:26: Cyber threats, unprotected AI use, and the risk of exposing proprietary or protected information. * 23:26 - 26:37: Balancing speed and scale, supporting innovators, and turning individual AI experiments into enterprise standards. * 26:37 - 29:44: Three near-term actions for HR: convene the right leaders, strengthen AI governance, and plan for the future workforce. * 29:44 - 32:51: Why AI could help solve workforce shortages and create new productivity opportunities. * 32:51 - End: John’s encouragement for HR leaders to take a strategic role in organizational transformation. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including AI, workforce strategy, healthcare cost management, leadership, and organizational change. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * The Obstacle Is the Way – Explore Ryan Holiday’s practical framework for turning obstacles, uncertainty, and resistance into a path forward. * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Taking Control of Healthcare Costs: Insights from Andrew Agress

If rising healthcare costs, renewal increases, and pharmacy spend feel impossible to control, this episode shows how employers can explore smarter funding strategies, stronger partnerships, and more transparent solutions. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including healthcare cost management, alternative funding, pharmacy strategy, and workforce wellbeing. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Andrew Agress, Executive Vice President of Employee Benefits at IMA Financial Group, to discuss how employers can respond to rising healthcare costs with greater control, transparency, and confidence. Andrew explains why traditional fully insured and HMO models are becoming harder for some employers to justify, how self-funded and level-funded strategies are opening new possibilities for mid-market organizations, and why pharmacy transparency remains one of the biggest opportunities for savings. They also explore the importance of trusted relationships, HR communities, aggregation and harmonization for private equity and shared-ownership structures, and the role of a broker partner who brings proactive education instead of simply reacting to renewals. Whether you are facing renewal pressure, looking for better data, or wondering if alternative funding is right for your organization, Andrew offers a practical starting point for taking back control of healthcare costs. Guest Bio: Andrew Agress is Executive Vice President of Employee Benefits at IMA Financial Group. Based in Southern California, Andrew has spent more than two decades working with HR leaders and executives to navigate healthcare complexity, carrier negotiations, benefits strategy, and cost control. He also leads and supports HR executive communities through the National Human Resources Association and invite-only roundtables, helping leaders connect, share resources, and solve challenges together. His work focuses on helping employers evaluate smarter funding models, improve access to care, build stronger benefits strategies, and support employees and families when they need care most. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to rising healthcare costs and smarter ways for employers to take control. * 01:20 - 02:50: Show intro, Andrew’s Southern California base, and life as a sports dad. * 02:50 - 04:55: Andrew’s career path from recruiting to employee benefits. * 04:55 - 07:40: Early lessons, culture fit, and the support that shaped his career at IMA. * 07:40 - 10:35: Andrew’s current role, client strategy, HR communities, and COVID-era support. * 10:35 - 15:00: What client support looks like beyond the traditional broker relationship. * 15:00 - 17:55: The value of HR roundtables, community, and trusted relationships. * 17:55 - 20:25: The current healthcare market, cost pressure, access challenges, and employer frustration. * 20:25 - 22:05: Pharmacy transparency, IMARx, and alternative solutions for cost control. * 22:05 - 25:55: Fully insured vs. self-funded models, loss ratios, and HMO renewal pressure. * 25:55 - 29:15: Client example: moving from fully insured to self-funded, reference-based pricing, and direct provider negotiations. * 29:15 - 32:40: Aggregation and harmonization for private equity firms and shared-ownership structures. * 32:40 - 35:25: The future of alternative funding, level funding, captives, consortiums, and data access. * 35:25 - 38:10: The first step employers should take when evaluating funding options. * 38:10 - 42:30: What keeps Andrew motivated: community, impact, innovation, and trusted client relationships. * 42:30 - 45:55: Future optimism around transparency, equitable pricing, and employer control. * 45:55 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including healthcare cost management, alternative funding, pharmacy strategy, and workforce wellbeing. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Why Employees Stay: Leadership Communication Insights from Gary Butterworth

If your organization is trying to improve retention with more perks, surveys, or exit interviews, this episode shows why the real opportunity may be the conversations leaders are not having. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including workforce wellbeing, employee engagement, retention, and leadership communication. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Gary Butterworth, a communication expert, speaker, trainer, and former broadcaster, to discuss why employee retention often comes down to the quality of the relationship between a leader and their people. Gary explains why perks and surveys are not enough, how one-on-one conversations build trust, and why stay interviews can reveal what exit interviews often miss. They explore the difference between efficiency and effectiveness, the role of active listening, how leaders can create space for honest dialogue, and why Gary prefers to call stay interviews “bespoke career-centered conversations.” From practical questions leaders can ask to advice for handling unexpected responses, this conversation offers a clear reminder that employees are more likely to stay when they feel seen, heard, supported, and able to grow. Guest Bio: Gary Butterworth is a communication expert, speaker, trainer, former broadcaster, and longtime Toastmasters participant. His career has included radio, television weathercasting, teaching, training, and leadership communication. Known for his energy, humor, and practical approach to interpersonal skills, Gary helps leaders strengthen workplace relationships through better listening, more meaningful conversations, and communication practices that build trust and engagement. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:05: Introduction to retention, leadership communication, and why employees leave. * 01:05 - 01:34: Show intro and welcome. * 01:34 - 03:32: Gary shares his career journey from radio and TV to speaking, training, and Toastmasters. * 03:32 - 05:51: How broadcasting, listening, and interpersonal skills shaped Gary’s communication approach. * 05:51 - 08:31: Why retention is less about perks and more about leader-employee relationships. * 08:31 - 11:11: Why surveys are not enough and why one-on-one conversations are more effective. * 11:11 - 14:56: Stay interviews versus exit interviews, and how trust influences whether employees stay. * 14:56 - 19:49: How employees can approach stay conversations and why leaders must build credibility over time. * 19:49 - 23:27: Gary’s “bespoke career-centered conversation” approach and why it should be separate from performance reviews. * 23:27 - 26:29: The communication skills leaders need: active listening, follow-up questions, note-taking, and curiosity. * 26:29 - 29:30: How hesitant leaders can prepare through role-playing and practice. * 29:30 - 34:45: Sample stay interview questions and how leaders can listen for meaning, motivation, and growth opportunities. * 34:45 - 38:27: How leaders should respond when employees share unexpected or difficult feedback. * 38:27 - 43:00: The future of leader-employee relationships, emotional intelligence, AI, and creating meaning at work. * 43:00 - 45:38: Why communication may separate organizations that retain talent from those that struggle. * 45:38 - 47:29: Gary’s final takeaway: meet one-on-one, grow your people, and build trust consistently. * 47:29 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including workforce wellbeing, employee engagement, retention, and leadership communication. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Finding the Hidden Costs in Pharmacy Benefits: Insights from Matt Collier

If pharmacy benefits feel like one of the least transparent parts of your health plan strategy, this episode shows how employers can look beyond the spreadsheet, ask better questions, and uncover real opportunities for savings. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including pharmacy strategy, healthcare cost management, transparency, and smarter plan design. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Matt Collier of IMA Financial Group to explore why pharmacy benefits have become one of the fastest-growing and most complex areas of healthcare spend. Matt explains why many employers lack visibility into their PBM contracts, how spreadsheet comparisons can miss important contract details, and why words, exclusions, rebate structures, audit rights, and pricing guarantees all matter. They discuss IMA Pharmacy Consulting, the importance of transparency and accountability, the role of regulation, and why employers should begin evaluating their pharmacy strategy now instead of waiting for new rules to take effect. Matt also breaks down specialty drug costs, GLP-1 coverage considerations, biosimilars, prior authorization, step therapy, IMARx, and the difference between a lowest net cost strategy and a rebate-driven approach. Whether you are reviewing your PBM contract, preparing for an RFP, or simply trying to understand where pharmacy spend is going, this episode offers a practical roadmap for taking a more proactive approach. Guest Bio: Matt Collier is a pharmacy benefits specialist at IMA Financial Group. Based in Denver, Matt has been with IMA for 19 years and has worked across financial analysis, self-funding, PBM strategy, and pharmacy consulting. His work focuses on helping employers better understand pharmacy benefit contracts, evaluate PBM arrangements, identify hidden cost drivers, and build more transparent, accountable pharmacy strategies. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 00:55: Introduction to pharmacy benefits as a fast-growing and complex area of healthcare spend. * 00:55 - 01:25: Show intro and welcome. * 01:25 - 02:41: Matt introduces himself, his Denver base, family life, and 19-year career at IMA. * 02:41 - 03:48: How Matt moved into pharmacy benefits and helped build IMA’s pharmacy consulting capabilities. * 03:48 - 05:23: What IMA Pharmacy Consulting is and why IMA built this internal expertise. * 05:23 - 06:36: Common gaps employers face with PBM contracts, hidden fees, AWP discounts, and contract language. * 06:36 - 09:27: Simplifying pharmacy complexity through analogies like the detailed horse, snorkeling, scuba diving, and the iceberg. * 09:27 - 10:37: Why employers are asking more questions about PBMs, GLP-1s, rebates, and pharmacy strategy. * 10:37 - 13:10: Why many employers still lack transparency and control in pharmacy benefits. * 13:10 - 14:39: Why spreadsheet comparisons are only the surface of PBM evaluation. * 14:39 - 16:03: How regulation is changing the PBM landscape and why consultants need to act now. * 16:03 - 17:09: What employers can do today to begin evaluating their current pharmacy arrangement. * 17:09 - 19:44: How IMA engages with clients from first review through procurement, implementation, and ongoing monitoring. * 19:44 - 22:13: Where savings opportunities often appear, including contract terms, exclusions, benchmarks, GLP-1s, step therapy, prior authorization, and biosimilars. * 22:13 - 23:43: Strategies for specialty drugs, specialty carve-outs, clinical programs, IMARx, and lowest net cost management. * 23:43 - 25:26: Why GLP-1s are in a league of their own and how employers can think through coverage decisions. * 25:26 - 27:42: Lowest net cost versus rebate-driven strategies and why higher rebates do not always mean lower total cost. * 27:42 - 29:11: When employers should consider running a PBM RFP or procurement process. * 29:11 - 30:48: Where pharmacy benefits are headed and why transparency, visibility, and cost management will remain critical. * 30:48 - 32:40: Matt’s advice for employers: demand transparency, ask better questions, and review contracts proactively. * 32:40 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including pharmacy strategy, healthcare cost management, transparency, and smarter plan design. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Making Benefits Personal with AI: Insights from Pauline Roteta

If employees are spending only minutes choosing benefits that can shape their financial lives for an entire year, this episode explores how AI can help make benefits more personal, more useful, and easier to understand. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including AI, personalization, employee engagement, and benefits communication. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Pauline Roteta, CEO and Co-Founder of Pasito, to discuss how AI is changing the employee benefits experience. Pauline shares how her background in finance, including her time at BlackRock and her work as a CFA and CFP, shaped her view of benefits as a critical part of an employee’s financial life. They explore why employees spend so little time choosing benefits, why one-time open enrollment communication falls short, and how personalized, year-round support can help people better understand and use the programs available to them. Pauline also explains the difference between generic AI and vertical, purpose-built AI, how AI agents can reduce manual work for employers, brokers, and carriers, and why benefits will always remain a deeply human business. Whether you are evaluating AI tools, looking to improve benefits engagement, or trying to help employees see the full value of their benefits package, Pauline offers a practical look at where the industry is headed next. Guest Bio: Pauline Roteta is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pasito, an AI-native benefits workspace designed to help employers, brokers, carriers, and employees improve the way benefits are built, delivered, and experienced. Before founding Pasito, Pauline worked at BlackRock as a Senior Investor and Portfolio Manager. She is a CFA and Certified Financial Planner, bringing a financial planning lens to health, wealth, and total rewards strategy. Her work focuses on using AI to simplify complex benefits workflows, personalize employee support, and help organizations deliver a better year-round benefits experience. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:01: Introduction to the 18-minute benefits decision problem and the promise of AI. * 01:01 - 01:31: Show intro and welcome. * 01:31 - 03:22: Pauline’s background at BlackRock, becoming a CFP, and the path to Pasito. * 03:22 - 05:11: What Pasito does and how its AI-native benefits workspace works. * 05:11 - 07:20: How Pasito evolved from decision support to a broader AI benefits workbench. * 07:20 - 10:15: Surprises from the market, unified systems, and stronger employee engagement. * 10:15 - 14:21: Why employees spend so little time choosing benefits and why that matters. * 14:21 - 18:18: Moving from one-time open enrollment to personalized, year-round benefits support. * 18:18 - 20:36: Pauline’s vision for AI as foundational infrastructure in employee benefits. * 20:36 - 23:39: What people misunderstand about AI, hallucination risk, vertical AI, and agentic AI. * 23:39 - 28:22: How Pauline’s finance background shapes her view of benefits, total rewards, and employee decision-making. * 28:22 - 32:30: Long-term value, ROI, engagement, and how AI can help HR teams understand what employees need. * 32:30 - 35:12: How brokers and consultants can use AI to reduce manual work and focus on higher-value client support. * 35:12 - 38:41: Practical first steps for consultants who want to understand and apply AI. * 38:41 - 43:15: How to evaluate AI partners, start with a use case, and manage change effectively. * 43:15 - 47:35: What great could look like five years from now as AI reshapes benefits administration and employee experience. * 47:35 - 48:26: Final reflections on AI, benefits, and the need for a part two. * 48:26 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including AI, personalization, employee engagement, and benefits communication. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.