We are pleased to present the first-ever class of BenefitsPRO LUMINARIES honorees, who are being recognized for the dynamic and inclusive ways they are driving the benefits and health care industries forward.

This year's honorees consist of top-performing individuals and firms selected by a distinguished and diverse team of industry leaders with input from our editorial team. Our judging panel took into account a number of factors when evaluating entries, including:

• The nominee's impact on the organization, its employees and the broader professional community and industry.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve goals and display ingenuity in terms of creative thinking and problem-solving.
• The nominee's dedication to furthering the development of benefits professionals and the industry.
• An established personal commitment to the highest ethical standards, service and excellence.

Read more about these honorees in the November issue of BenefitsPRO magazine, or watch for online our coverage of them throughout the month of November. We hope you find their efforts and accomplishments informative and inspiring. They demonstrate the tremendous impact both firms and individuals can have within the benefits and health care communities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Individuals

• Leslie Ferguson, principal, equitable and inclusive rewards, Buck's Black Leadership Council
• Tony Lee, senior partner, Dickerson Insurance Services, an Alera Group Company
• Dawn Worthington, vice president, human resources and administration, National Association of Chain Drug Stores

Organizations

• Edelman Financial Engines
• Pittsburgh Business Group on Health

Education & Communication

Individuals

• Rebecca Kuzemchak, senior consultant, engagement practice, Buck
• Becky Seefeldt, vice president of strategy, Benefit Resource LLC
• Heather Smith, chief people officer and senior account executive, Flimp Communications
• Deb Smolensky, senior vice president, well-being and engagement, NFP
• Glenn Turchi, managing director, MGM Benefits Group

Organizations

• Financial Health Network
• MGM Benefits Group
• Nova Healthcare Administrators Inc.

Leadership

Individuals

• Lauren Cheek. area vice president, Gallagher Benefits Services
• Patricia "Trish" Freeman, owner, Trish Freeman Financial Services
• Peter Freska, partner/advisor, The LBL Group
• Amy Friedrich, president, U.S. insurance solutions, Principal Financial Group
• Sommer Mason, regional area vice president, human resources & compensation consulting practice, Gallagher Benefits Services
• Lester J. Morales, CEO & founder, Next Impact
• Megan Schmidt, senior vice president, employer solutions, Priority Health

Organizations

• Brighton Health Plan Solutions
• EmpiRx Health
• EmsanaRx
• Drexi, an AMPS Company

Humanizing Benefits

Fresh Faces

• Antonio Moraes, co-Founder and CEO, XP Health
• Shobin Uralil, co-founder and COO, Lively Inc.

Individuals

• Bekki Early, global wellbeing program manager, Equinix
• Julie Ritenour, client service director, Nielsen Benefits Group
• Kathleen Schulz, divisional vice president, global innovation leaders – organizational wellbeing, Gallagher
• Jessica Smith, client service consultant, Gallagher

Organizations 

• Benefit Resource
• Benefitfocus
• Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates
• Imagine360
• Mindyra Health Corporation
• MZQ Consulting LLC
• Nayya
• Parento
• Rightway
• Radish Health
• Willis Towers Watson