Rethinking Wellness: Insights from Anji Antkowiak

If fragmented wellness programs and vendor overload are failing to engage employees or control costs, this episode guides you toward a cohesive ecosystem that integrates benefits for measurable impact. Resources Mentioned: 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including wellness ecosystems, incentives, and integration strategies. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Anji Antkowiak, Senior Wellness Service Manager at HealthBreak Inc., to tackle why wellness hasn't failed—fragmentation has—and how to build smarter, integrated strategies. With over 25 years in employer wellness, Anji discusses moving from scattered programs to ecosystems that boost utilization across benefits, using digital and high-touch solutions for small to mid-market employers. She shares tips on incentives, champion networks, and embedding wellbeing into operations for better engagement and ROI. From mapping existing benefits to fostering cultures of health, this conversation offers actionable guidance for HR leaders overwhelmed by disconnected solutions. Whether you're redesigning wellness or enhancing retention, Anji's insights provide a roadmap to efficient, impactful programs. Guest Bio: Anji Antkowiak is Senior Wellness Service Manager at HealthBreak Inc., overseeing on-site and virtual wellness coordinators, content, and client strategies for employers. With nearly 25 years in health and wellbeing, she helps design and deliver programs for corporations, universities, and health systems. Based in Iowa, Anji is a singer-songwriter with two folk albums. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to wellness fragmentation and ecosystem needs. 01:20 - 02:05: Show intro and welcome. 02:05 - 03:15: Anji introduces herself, her role at HealthBreak, and a fun fact. 03:15 - 04:10: Personal chit-chat on music and wellness connections. 04:10 - 06:00: Defining wellness evolution and integration challenges. 06:00 - 07:00: Shift to cohesive ecosystem strategies. 07:00 - 08:30: Impact on engagement, costs, and company sizes. 08:30 - 10:50: Common pitfalls: Standalone perks, with examples. 10:50 - 13:15: Client story on successful ecosystem implementation. 13:15 - 15:55: Measuring success: Utilization metrics, ROI, and feedback. 15:55 - 19:25: Designing programs for diverse industries, with incentive examples. 19:25 - 21:25: Communication trends and tools for promotion. 21:25 - 22:30: Misconceptions about wellness failure. 22:30 - 24:00: Bridging wellness with benefits, plus champion network examples. 24:00 - 26:00: Evaluating vendors and setting realistic goals. 26:00 - 28:30: Mindsets holding employers back: Over-reliance on one-offs. 28:30 - 29:45: Upcoming trends: High-touch digital hybrids. 29:45 - 31:55: Rethinking support through benefit mapping. 31:55 - 33:30: Building a wellness culture from leadership down. 33:30 - 34:40: Role of data, incentives, and customization in wellness. 34:40 - 34:55: Branding ecosystems for memorability. 34:55 - 35:40: Must-have strategy for 2026: Integrated incentives. 35:40 - 37:55: Advice for organizations: Map benefits, leverage partners, and incentivize wisely. 37:55 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including wellness ecosystems, incentives, and integration strategies. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.