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Client Spotlight - Fall 2025

Barbara Kennedy

Western Alliance Bank

Western Alliance Bank

With more than $80 billion in assets, Western Alliance Bancorporation is one of the country’s top-performing banking companies. Its primary subsidiary, Western Alliance Bank, offers a full spectrum of tailored commercial banking solutions and consumer products, all delivered with outstanding service by banking and mortgage experts who put customers first. Serving clients across the country wherever business happens, Western Alliance Bank operates individual, full-service banking and financial brands with offices in key markets nationwide.

With a supportive culture focused on the health and well-being of employees and their families, Western Alliance Bancorporation’s benefits strategy prioritizes cost savings without compromising high-quality care. Dedicated to excellence and implementing benefits strategies that encourage employee utilization, the organization’s Chief Human Resources Officer Barbara Kennedy’s team works to encourage employees to lead healthy lives. With an extensive career in benefits, Kennedy spoke with Employers Health about Western Alliance’s distinctive offerings, what she enjoys most about working in the field and more.

I started working in benefits at a summer job in college. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to create an organization’s human resources department from the ground up. This gave me no choice but to learn about the benefits industry quickly and provided me with the foundation to be successful today.

Working in employee benefits allows me to help other people. Not only do we ensure the right benefits are offered, but we encourage program adoption and promote overall well-being for our people and their families, which is incredibly meaningful. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the positive impact benefits teams can have in helping to improve the health of others.

We provide a full suite of benefits designed to take care of our people and their dependents based on individual needs. Health is a priority at our organization, and we encourage our people to make smart, healthy choices. We reinforce the importance of well-being during our wellness town halls and through regular communication. Everyone’s health and wellness journey differs, so throughout the year, we provide healthy snacks and drinks, encourage preventive care and offer wellness challenges and activities. Our people are encouraged to get involved in their local wellness committees. One of our most unique offerings is hydroponic plant units to grow and distribute fresh herbs and vegetables to our people. Growing healthy food in the workplace aids in creating a culture of well-being, with the added benefit of fresh herbs and vegetables to use in their meals at home.

We understand how complex the health care system can be. Some of our people struggle navigating the health care system. To help, our health management provider offers a “personal assistant.” This personal assistant provides personalized care by helping our people navigate the complex health care system and aiding them with their health needs.

To control costs while still positively impacting the health of employees, organizations will need to take a more personalized approach to benefits. I believe as employees’ health care needs continue to evolve, more individualized benefits and interactions are going to be crucial to help employees utilize their benefits and programs to their full potential.

The Employers Health team members are experts in pharmacy benefits. They take the time to understand our organization and population’s needs. Employers Health develops the right offerings, proactively negotiates on our behalf, helps control costs and ensures everyone’s needs from the top down are met.

Employers Health is always on the leading edge. It works in the best interests of its clients, and we have confidence that the team is doing what is best for our company and our people. Employers Health is always one step ahead!

Be a role model for good health and your people will notice. Encourage, promote and communicate the importance of health and well-being. In this industry, you have a great opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.

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