Episode 17: Scott Kirschner, Senior Director of Global Benefits at Greystar

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norman Volsky sits down with Scott Kirschner, Senior Director of Global Benefits at Greystar, to unpack what it really takes to manage employee benefits at scale in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.With a career deeply rooted in benefits and healthcare strategy, Scott shares how leaders can navigate complexity, communicate effectively across diverse workforces, and drive meaningful innovation in digital health.From embracing experimentation to leveraging data for smarter decision-making, this episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone shaping the future of employee benefits.💬 As Scott puts it: “Not everything is going to be successful.”💡 Which is exactly why “you might as well try other innovative things.”🤝 And at the core of it all: “You have to do it together.”✨ Key Takeaways📚 Healthcare is a dynamic field that requires constant learning.📣 Effective communication is crucial for benefits leaders.🚀 Innovative strategies can significantly improve employee retention.📊 Understanding data is key to making informed decisions.🌍 Globalization is changing the landscape of employee benefits.📱 Digital health solutions must prioritize user experience.⚡ Early adoption of new technologies can lead to better outcomes.🎯 Accepting failure is part of the innovation process.💼 Employers have leverage to negotiate healthcare costs.🧘‍♀️ Well-being practices are essential for managing stress.🎙️ What You’ll Learn- How to manage benefits for a global, diverse workforce- Why communication can make or break your benefits strategy- The role of digital health in improving employee outcomes- How to balance innovation with operational realities- Practical ways to measure the success of benefits programs⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction to Scott Kirschner and His Background02:49 Navigating Employee Benefits at Greystar05:44 The Role of Communication in Benefits Management08:24 Challenges in Managing Global Benefits11:16 Innovations in Digital Health Solutions13:47 Balancing Innovation with Operational Realities16:19 The Importance of Early Adoption in Benefits Solutions23:06 Embracing Risk in the Workplace25:50 The Value of Employee Health Benefits28:51 Navigating Healthcare Complexity30:45 Best Practices in Communication33:54 Evaluating Benefits Program Effectiveness37:35 Advice for Benefits Leaders39:48 Personal Well-being and Stress ManagementIf you're a benefits leader, HR executive, or digital health operator—this episode will give you a practical lens into what’s working (and what’s not) in today’s benefits landscape.🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of healthcare! Let's work together to bring down costs.Ending the podcast with 'Scott we need to talk' because we ALL need to be talking about these issues, on and off air. Follow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast