2021 Chapter Leadership
The Chapter is powered by volunteers. These volunteers put in and get back in a variety of ways. They serve on important committees – education, seminar, membership, public relations and social media as committee members, committee chair people – and in leadership positions on the Board of Directors. There are so many ways to contribute to the Chapter. In doing so, volunteers enhance the prestige of the full range of CEBS designations, increase the knowledge of people and groups in the benefits community, demonstrate value to employers and grow in their professional development. And volunteers have fun and form life-long friendships through their involvement with the Twin Cities Chapter of ISCEBS.
For more information about volunteering, contact one of the committee chairs listed below, email the Chapter at tciscebs@gmail.com, or let a Board Member know you are interested.
For more information about volunteering, contact one of the committee chairs listed below, email the Chapter at tciscebs@gmail.com, or let a Board Member know you are interested.
Committee Chairs:
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Education
Deb Rosenberg, CEBS, ISCEBS Fellow Email: deb@stilesfinancial.com Phone: 952. 466. 6221 Membership Stephanie Carter, CEBS, ISCEBS Fellow Email: stephaniecarter100@gmail.com Phone: 612. 889. 6432 Natalie Chandler, CEBS Email: nataliechandler@salollc.com Phone: 612. 230. 7256 |
Public Relations / Social Media
Jared Schmillen, CEBS Email: Jared.Schmillen@USI.com Phone: 952.484.9455 Seminar Janis Koltun, CEBS, ISCEBS Fellow Email: janis.koltun@mercer.com Phone: 612. 747.9190 Lara Pischke, CEBS, ISCEBS Fellow Email: lpischke@hayscompanies.com Phone: 612. 486. 4771 |
Board of Directors:
President
Leigh Stepan, CEBS
Email: leigh.stepan@absenceconsulting.com
Phone: 612. 805. 6561
Leigh Stepan is Principal at Absence Productivity and HR Consulting doing consulting work with clients in the area of benefits and risk management. Leigh was previously the director of non-healthcare benefits at Target Corporation, a $73B U.S. Retailer with 350,000 team members in 49 states. Ms. Stepan led teams responsible for the outsourced benefits administration process and for the design, delivery and compliance for the products such as retirement, life insurance, disability, FMLA administration, leave of absence policies, pay practices around time away from work, vacation, personal holiday and national holidays. The team’s product responsibilities include managing a number of external vendor relationships and internal partnerships in order to deliver these products nationally. Ms. Stepan is the past manager of Target’s Canadian benefit program. Ms. Stepan previously held the role of Claims Manager on the Target Risk Management team responsible for the team that managed all property, casualty and employment practice liability losses. Prior to joining Target, Ms. Stepan spent her career in the Risk Management industry. Ms. Stepan spent 13 years at Sedgwick Claims Management Services where she was SVP, Regional Director. During her time at Sedgwick CMS, she specialized in operational leadership, workers compensation, general liability, developed and managed the Sedgwick quality system and was a key leader in building their successful disability management business.
Leigh Stepan, CEBS
Email: leigh.stepan@absenceconsulting.com
Phone: 612. 805. 6561
Leigh Stepan is Principal at Absence Productivity and HR Consulting doing consulting work with clients in the area of benefits and risk management. Leigh was previously the director of non-healthcare benefits at Target Corporation, a $73B U.S. Retailer with 350,000 team members in 49 states. Ms. Stepan led teams responsible for the outsourced benefits administration process and for the design, delivery and compliance for the products such as retirement, life insurance, disability, FMLA administration, leave of absence policies, pay practices around time away from work, vacation, personal holiday and national holidays. The team’s product responsibilities include managing a number of external vendor relationships and internal partnerships in order to deliver these products nationally. Ms. Stepan is the past manager of Target’s Canadian benefit program. Ms. Stepan previously held the role of Claims Manager on the Target Risk Management team responsible for the team that managed all property, casualty and employment practice liability losses. Prior to joining Target, Ms. Stepan spent her career in the Risk Management industry. Ms. Stepan spent 13 years at Sedgwick Claims Management Services where she was SVP, Regional Director. During her time at Sedgwick CMS, she specialized in operational leadership, workers compensation, general liability, developed and managed the Sedgwick quality system and was a key leader in building their successful disability management business.
Vice President
Joshua Hoover, CEBS
Email: hoover.josh1@gmail.com
Phone: 612. 834. 1925
Josh has over twenty years of experience in the employee benefits industry including roles in managed care, broker services and sales. Josh holds a BA in Marketing Management form the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He earned his CEBS designation in 2015 and the CEBS Fellow designation in 2017. Josh is currently the Director of Sales-Midwest for EPIC Hearing Healthcare. When not at work you can find Josh at a local craft brewery or binge-watching Netflix with his wife and two children.
Joshua Hoover, CEBS
Email: hoover.josh1@gmail.com
Phone: 612. 834. 1925
Josh has over twenty years of experience in the employee benefits industry including roles in managed care, broker services and sales. Josh holds a BA in Marketing Management form the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He earned his CEBS designation in 2015 and the CEBS Fellow designation in 2017. Josh is currently the Director of Sales-Midwest for EPIC Hearing Healthcare. When not at work you can find Josh at a local craft brewery or binge-watching Netflix with his wife and two children.
Secretary
Jessica Henderson, CEBS
Email: jhenderson@christensengroup.com
Phone: 952. 653. 1057
Jessica Henderson is a Senior Employee Benefits Consultant with Christensen Group, an employee owned company. She has worked for more than 17 years in the health and welfare consulting business. Her experience is working strategically with employers to contain cost, provide innovative benefit designs and present clear communications to employees. Jessica has a specific focus working with private equity firms and with employer groups during the process of mergers and acquisitions.
Jessica is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She received her Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation in 2009.
Jessica Henderson, CEBS
Email: jhenderson@christensengroup.com
Phone: 952. 653. 1057
Jessica Henderson is a Senior Employee Benefits Consultant with Christensen Group, an employee owned company. She has worked for more than 17 years in the health and welfare consulting business. Her experience is working strategically with employers to contain cost, provide innovative benefit designs and present clear communications to employees. Jessica has a specific focus working with private equity firms and with employer groups during the process of mergers and acquisitions.
Jessica is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She received her Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation in 2009.
Treasurer
Brent Bordson, CEBS
Email: brent.bordson@target.com
Phone: 612. 696. 6005
Brent is a Director of Benefits at Target Corporation. He joined Target in 2004 and oversees compliance and participant engagement for Target’s qualified and non-qualified savings programs. He also leads Target’s financial well-being initiative. Prior to his current role he held various roles in HR and Finance at Target. Prior to joining Target, he was a Tax Manager at Ernst & Young.
Brent holds a B.A. degree in Business Management from Hamline University and a Law degree from Hamline University School of Law. He obtained his Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation in 2017.
Brent Bordson, CEBS
Email: brent.bordson@target.com
Phone: 612. 696. 6005
Brent is a Director of Benefits at Target Corporation. He joined Target in 2004 and oversees compliance and participant engagement for Target’s qualified and non-qualified savings programs. He also leads Target’s financial well-being initiative. Prior to his current role he held various roles in HR and Finance at Target. Prior to joining Target, he was a Tax Manager at Ernst & Young.
Brent holds a B.A. degree in Business Management from Hamline University and a Law degree from Hamline University School of Law. He obtained his Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation in 2017.
Director At-Large
Jared Schmillen, CEBS
Email: Jared.Schmillen@USI.com
Jared Schmillen is an Account Executive at USI Insurance Services. He joined ABRC / USI in January 2020. He works as a liaison between clients and insurance companies. He assists clients with the design, implementation, education of complex benefit issues, and employee wellness programs. Jared is passionate about employee benefits and loves helping clients find solutions to their benefit needs.
Jared has worked in the insurance industry since 2000. Jared started his insurance career as an analyst, underwriter and broker working in property and casualty insurance. He then changed to health insurance, where he worked as a financial underwriter for UnitedHealthcare. Prior to joining USI, he worked eight years at Hays Companies as a benefits consultant, where he managed benefits for 25 clients.
Jared hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota Morris. There he majored in Statistics and earned Biology and Math minors. He earned his CEBS designation in 2017.
Active in his community, besides participating on the Twin Cities ISCEBS Chapter board. He also volunteers on the PTA at his kids’ elementary school and is a Sunday school substitute teacher at his local church. He is an energetic player and manager on his broomball and softball teams.
Jared Schmillen, CEBS
Email: Jared.Schmillen@USI.com
Jared Schmillen is an Account Executive at USI Insurance Services. He joined ABRC / USI in January 2020. He works as a liaison between clients and insurance companies. He assists clients with the design, implementation, education of complex benefit issues, and employee wellness programs. Jared is passionate about employee benefits and loves helping clients find solutions to their benefit needs.
Jared has worked in the insurance industry since 2000. Jared started his insurance career as an analyst, underwriter and broker working in property and casualty insurance. He then changed to health insurance, where he worked as a financial underwriter for UnitedHealthcare. Prior to joining USI, he worked eight years at Hays Companies as a benefits consultant, where he managed benefits for 25 clients.
Jared hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota Morris. There he majored in Statistics and earned Biology and Math minors. He earned his CEBS designation in 2017.
Active in his community, besides participating on the Twin Cities ISCEBS Chapter board. He also volunteers on the PTA at his kids’ elementary school and is a Sunday school substitute teacher at his local church. He is an energetic player and manager on his broomball and softball teams.
Director At-Large
Angela Subera, CEBS
Email: tciscebs@gmail.com
Phone: 651. 642. 4687
Angela is the Benefits Manager at Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. She has over 20+ years of experience working in plan administration, compliance, and management of both in-house and vendor plans. Angela unknowingly started her career while working part-time in the Pension Department of G. Heileman Brewing Company during college. Prior to her current role, she was the Benefits Manager at the Star Tribune Media Company.
Angela has a B.S. degree in Finance and Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She obtained her Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation in 1994 and is a past Fellow.
Angela Subera, CEBS
Email: tciscebs@gmail.com
Phone: 651. 642. 4687
Angela is the Benefits Manager at Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. She has over 20+ years of experience working in plan administration, compliance, and management of both in-house and vendor plans. Angela unknowingly started her career while working part-time in the Pension Department of G. Heileman Brewing Company during college. Prior to her current role, she was the Benefits Manager at the Star Tribune Media Company.
Angela has a B.S. degree in Finance and Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She obtained her Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation in 1994 and is a past Fellow.
Director At-Large
Kate Palm, CEBS
Email: kate.palm@prudential.com
Phone: 763. 553. 8788
Kate has twenty-eight years of experience in employee benefits and human capital working for large national insurance carriers and consulting firms. Kate started her career in 1990 as a management trainee with a large national insurance carrier. After two years of operational assignments in claims, customer service, new hire training, and leading her own claim and customer service team, Kate moved into a client management and sales role.
Throughout her career as a manager, consultant, and carrier representative Kate’s passion has been helping clients meet their business objectives through their employee benefit programs. In 2007, she discovered a passion for disability and absence management and was determined to focus on helping employers improve productivity and financial wellness through these benefits. Joining Prudential in 2019, Kate is responsible for new business development in Minnesota and the Dakotas, helping brokers and consultants create best in class life, disability, absence management and voluntary benefit solutions for their clients.
Kate is a member of the Twin Cities chapters of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists, SHRM, and the Disability Management Employer’s Coalition. When not problem solving, Kate enjoys travel, cooking and home improvement projects.
Kate Palm, CEBS
Email: kate.palm@prudential.com
Phone: 763. 553. 8788
Kate has twenty-eight years of experience in employee benefits and human capital working for large national insurance carriers and consulting firms. Kate started her career in 1990 as a management trainee with a large national insurance carrier. After two years of operational assignments in claims, customer service, new hire training, and leading her own claim and customer service team, Kate moved into a client management and sales role.
Throughout her career as a manager, consultant, and carrier representative Kate’s passion has been helping clients meet their business objectives through their employee benefit programs. In 2007, she discovered a passion for disability and absence management and was determined to focus on helping employers improve productivity and financial wellness through these benefits. Joining Prudential in 2019, Kate is responsible for new business development in Minnesota and the Dakotas, helping brokers and consultants create best in class life, disability, absence management and voluntary benefit solutions for their clients.
Kate is a member of the Twin Cities chapters of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists, SHRM, and the Disability Management Employer’s Coalition. When not problem solving, Kate enjoys travel, cooking and home improvement projects.
Past President
Lara Pischke, CEBS
Email: lpischke@hayscompanies.com
Phone: 612. 486. 4771
Lara is a Senior Vice President at Hays Companies. She joined Hays in 2003 and provides senior level consulting services on all aspects of health and welfare benefits to clients of various size and industry. Lara’s experience and responsibilities include account implementation and management, strategic planning, financial forecasting and analysis, guidance on product strategy and delivery, vendor management and development of key messaging and employee communication campaigns.
Lara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wartburg College and a Master of Business Administration from Hamline University. She also holds a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans through the Wharton School and is a license life and health agent.
Lara Pischke, CEBS
Email: lpischke@hayscompanies.com
Phone: 612. 486. 4771
Lara is a Senior Vice President at Hays Companies. She joined Hays in 2003 and provides senior level consulting services on all aspects of health and welfare benefits to clients of various size and industry. Lara’s experience and responsibilities include account implementation and management, strategic planning, financial forecasting and analysis, guidance on product strategy and delivery, vendor management and development of key messaging and employee communication campaigns.
Lara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wartburg College and a Master of Business Administration from Hamline University. She also holds a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans through the Wharton School and is a license life and health agent.
List of past presidents
2020- Lara Pischke, CEBS
2019 – Terri Jo Halverson, CEBS
2018 – Francine Merrell, CEBS
2017 – Bethany Charlsen, CEBS
2016 – Jim Vetter, CEBS
2015 – Yvonne Lutz, CEBS
2014 – Janis Koltun, CEBS Fellow
2013 – Michael Deffner, CEBS
2012 – Jennifer Johnson, CEBS
2011 – Richard Fitzpatrick, CEBS Fellow
2010 – Janis Koltun, CEBS Fellow
2009 – Jennifer Eager, CEBS
2008 – Kristine Jordahl, CEBS
2007 – Kristy Lucksinger, CEBS
2006 – David Wilson, CEBS
2005 – Karen Malm, CEBS
2004 – Tamara Johnson, CEBS
2003 – Richard Storms, CEBS, Past President ISCEBS
2002 – Tracy Thompson, CEBS
2001 – Elaine Grittner, CEBS Fellow
2000 – Rex Kohl, CEBS
1999 – Ron Jensen, CEBS
1998 – Joyce Traver, CEBS
1997 – Lori Larson, CEBS
1996 – Pat Pechacek, CEBS
1995 – Katie Lewis, CEBS, Past President ISCEBS
1994 – Mary Komornicka, CEBS, Past President ISCEBS
1993 – Janice Wander, CEBS
1992 – Deb Rosenberg, CEBS Fellow, 2014 & 2015 ISCEBS Governing Committee
1991 – Jim Cuff, CEBS
1990 – Art Jacobson, CEBS
1989 – Madison Groves, CEBS
1988 – Ronald Tollefson, CEBS
1987 – Ann Dudero, CEBS
1986 – Walter Jacobson, CEBS
1985 – Mark Tierney, CEBS
2019 – Terri Jo Halverson, CEBS
2018 – Francine Merrell, CEBS
2017 – Bethany Charlsen, CEBS
2016 – Jim Vetter, CEBS
2015 – Yvonne Lutz, CEBS
2014 – Janis Koltun, CEBS Fellow
2013 – Michael Deffner, CEBS
2012 – Jennifer Johnson, CEBS
2011 – Richard Fitzpatrick, CEBS Fellow
2010 – Janis Koltun, CEBS Fellow
2009 – Jennifer Eager, CEBS
2008 – Kristine Jordahl, CEBS
2007 – Kristy Lucksinger, CEBS
2006 – David Wilson, CEBS
2005 – Karen Malm, CEBS
2004 – Tamara Johnson, CEBS
2003 – Richard Storms, CEBS, Past President ISCEBS
2002 – Tracy Thompson, CEBS
2001 – Elaine Grittner, CEBS Fellow
2000 – Rex Kohl, CEBS
1999 – Ron Jensen, CEBS
1998 – Joyce Traver, CEBS
1997 – Lori Larson, CEBS
1996 – Pat Pechacek, CEBS
1995 – Katie Lewis, CEBS, Past President ISCEBS
1994 – Mary Komornicka, CEBS, Past President ISCEBS
1993 – Janice Wander, CEBS
1992 – Deb Rosenberg, CEBS Fellow, 2014 & 2015 ISCEBS Governing Committee
1991 – Jim Cuff, CEBS
1990 – Art Jacobson, CEBS
1989 – Madison Groves, CEBS
1988 – Ronald Tollefson, CEBS
1987 – Ann Dudero, CEBS
1986 – Walter Jacobson, CEBS
1985 – Mark Tierney, CEBS