(April 25, 2025) — Employers Health is honored to announce Misi Holmberg as the 2025 recipient of its Excellence in Benefits Award. The award is presented to a leader in employee benefits in recognition of his/her meaningful impact to the industry. Holmberg was nominated by her peers and unanimously selected by an independent panel of human resources and benefits industry professionals. Nominees were scored on the impact made in employee benefits, achieved outcomes and contributions to the betterment of the workplace and community.
Holmberg serves as director, benefits at Panera Bread, one of the largest fast-casual restaurant platforms in the U.S. She has spent over 12 years on Panera’s benefits team, driven by her passion for connecting others to high-quality, affordable benefits. As director, benefits, Holmberg has led efforts to save Panera more than 1 million dollars annually through strategic negotiations and partnerships with vendors, enhanced Panera’s maternity benefits and spearheaded a variety of program offerings, including discounted lab services, lower-cost medical plan options and more.
Previous winners include: 2024: Maria Martin, director of total rewards, global benefits, Royal Caribbean Group; 2022: Heather Beal, senior benefits analyst, Jo-Ann Stores, LLC; 2021: Chris vanNatta, manager, benefits & human resources, The Timken Company; 2020: Theresa O’Callaghan, executive director of benefit programs and corporate human resources, Kaman Corporation; 2019: Rachelle Firestone, director of benefits, The Kenan Advantage Group; 2018: Violet Vernon, senior manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne; 2017: Jessica Ward, benefits manager, Designer Brands. Nominations for the 2026 award will open in the fall of 2025. Visit benefitsaward.com for more information.
About Employers Health
Founded in 1983 by employers looking to reduce health care costs, Employers Health provides resources, tools and expertise to help plan sponsors deliver access to high-quality health benefits at a sustainable cost. Employers Health began group purchasing for pharmacy benefit management services in 1995, making it one of the oldest and most established employer-founded group purchasing organizations in the country. Employers and plan sponsors benefit from its group purchasing opportunities for pharmacy, health care navigation, EAP services, dental and vision benefits. Today, more than 400 plan sponsors in 41 states participate in its leading pharmacy benefits group purchasing programs through CVS Health and Optum Rx. To learn more about Employers Health’s employer resources visit employershealthco.com.
