New Benefits Director to Help Attract, Retain Top Talent
To stay competitive in a benefit landscape that is always in flux, WoodmenLife has appointed Michael Hemenway as Director of Benefits.
Hemenway brings decades of management experience and a strong human resources background to this recently-created role. He will drive company-wide employee benefit initiatives and ensure benefits are competitive and cost-effective—and ultimately support strategic objectives.
“The labor market in Omaha is quite competitive, and we have promised to be good stewards of the resources members have entrusted us with,” said Karla J. Gochenour, Vice President, Human Resources. “Michael brings experience and skills to his position that will help us engage the best talent and further strengthen our organization.”
Hemenway has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before joining WoodmenLife, he held a variety of positions, including director of decision support, director of benefits and compliance, and compensation manager. He recently developed and led a team of experts to improve business performance through analytics and data-driven decisions.
Outside the office, Hemenway has served the Omaha community in various ways. He is currently board president of Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, which works to save perishable food that would otherwise go to landfills. He has volunteered there since January 2013. He also has served the Stephen Center Inc., which operates an addiction recovery center, permanent supportive housing and an emergency shelter. He was board president and a board member from January 2011 to December 2016.
He and his wife, Janet, like travel, scuba diving and sports. They have two children: Jonathan, 24, and Elizabeth, 20.
Hemenway said he feels privileged to work for a company that lives by its mission to serve members.
“Working with benefits packages allows me to educate and engage associates while providing innovative solutions to enhance overall business performance,” he said. “People are the key, and I am eager to help attract and retain the best talent.”