HERO Committees

What’s new with HERO Committees?

Interested in staying ahead of industry trends, contributing to published reports, and building strong connections with fellow professionals? HERO members are encouraged to participate in one or more committees for the additional value accrued in the people you meet, the insights you gain, and the ability to contribute to published articles, white papers, case studies, webinars and other tools.

Here’s the latest update on our current committee activities:

• People & Culture Study Committee: This committee will convene in April to discuss new opportunities to expand on the work published last year, Investing in People and Culture. We anticipate one or two workstreams with light-lift, short-term deliverables.
• Policy Committee: Historically, the Policy Committee has engaged when there is an opportunity to provide research and education for public policymakers. We have a new opportunity! We are polling HERO members on the extent to which their organization prioritizes government affairs in its efforts to improve workforce health and well-being. Results from that poll will guide the committee agenda.

As a HERO member, you can join a committee today! If you are interested in learning more or joining a committee, please contact Karen Moseley at Karen.Moseley@hero-health.org.

If you want to learn more or join a committee, please contact Karen.Moseley@hero-health.org.

HERO Think Tank

AI is revolutionizing industries, including human resources and mental health care. While tools like AI-driven platforms promise enhanced efficiency, tailored support, and reduced barriers to care, they also pose risks to privacy, empathy, and equity. Employers play a pivotal role in building the guardrails needed to harness AI’s benefits while protecting against its pitfalls.

HERO Senior Fellow Dr. Paul Terry has designed this opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions and explore innovative approaches for integrating AI into workplace health strategies. Attendees will delve into cutting-edge applications, including:

• AI tools for mental health support, from virtual therapy to personalized wellness plans.
• Algorithms designed to detect early signs of stress, anxiety, or depression.
• Platforms that streamline access to care and match individuals with the right resources.

AI Think Tank Highlights:

• Expert Presentations: Learn from AI and health leaders about groundbreaking innovations and best practices.
• Group Discussions: Collaborate with peers to tackle critical questions, such as:
• How can AI-driven solutions reduce disparities in access to mental health care?
• What ethical considerations should guide the development of AI tools?
• How can employers ensure AI enhances, rather than detracts from, employee well-being?
• Real-World Case Studies: Discover how leading organizations are scaling AI-driven mental health services while maintaining quality and empathy.

Discussion Topics Include:

• Balancing automation with humanity: How can AI support, rather than replace, meaningful connections?
• Guardrails for ethical AI use: Ensuring accuracy, fairness, and emotional intelligence.
• AI’s role in addressing workforce challenges like burnout, stress, and hybrid team dynamics.

Takeaways for Attendees:

• Actionable strategies for integrating AI into workplace wellness programs.
• Insights into ethical AI implementation to mitigate risks and enhance benefits.
• A deeper understanding of the employer’s role in shaping AI’s future for positive and sustainable outcomes.

HERO think tanks are a benefit of membership. HERO member organizations are allowed three representatives for this virtual think tank.

Register Now!

Webinars

Unseen Challenges: How Chronic Conditions Impact the Workplace and Ways Employers Can Offer Support

May 6, at 1:00 PM EDT

Host: Dr. Paul Terry, HERO Senior Fellow

Speakers:

Millions of workers are managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and asthma, often without the support they need. A new national poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation assesses the impact of chronic health conditions in the workplace, highlighting the toll chronic conditions have on both employers and employees. The poll, conducted among a national sample of U.S. employees, found that three-fourths (76%) of those with chronic conditions need to manage their conditions during work hours. Yet a majority (60%) have not formally disclosed their conditions to their employer. Further, one-third of all employees (33%) say they have helped family members with their chronic conditions in the past year, and nearly half of those helping family members (45%) frequently

needed to do so during working hours.

While employees struggle in silence, productivity drops, absenteeism rises, and health care costs climb. But without visibility into how your employees — and your business — are affected, you may be missing opportunities to provide support. This webinar will provide an in-depth presentation of the poll’s findings along with a discussion of opportunities for employers to better support employees who are managing their own or their family’s chronic conditions.

Register Now!

HERO Scorecard

Since the launch of the Brain Health Best Practice Score last year, HERO continues to explore with the Business Collaborative for Brain Health to research gaps and ways to advance brain health for employers.

From our Brain Health Partner:

The Brain House’s recent success at Davos marked a pivotal moment in global health, as brain health emerged as a top priority for leaders and innovators worldwide. At the World Economic Forum, experts discussed the transformative potential of the brain economy, emphasizing the need for strategic investment and collaborative solutions to improve mental and neurological well-being. Forbes recently highlighted this shift, stating that brain health has become a critical focus at Davos (Forbes Article). The Brain House was established by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative in partnership with many organizations, including the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Business Collaborative for Brain Health, of which HERO is a member. For more highlights, see Health Policy Watch and Forbes.

Building on this momentum, the upcoming Houston Roundtable will convene business and policy leaders to develop actionable strategies for advancing brain health on both a national and global scale. HERO will be there, and HERO members are invited to attend this convening, and can register here: https://businessforbrainhealth.org/braineconomyhouston

Member Benefit Highlight

HERO offers a webinar series, with a new webinar most every month. While some webinars are open to the public, others are members only. In addition to the live monthly webinar, all recordings are available to members, only in the HERO Resources Area, in the HERO Hub.

HERO Hub Updates: New Content

HERO Hub Learning Series

This month’s featured topic is “Leadership”. Here are just two of the 34 (and growing) resources on this topic available in the HERO Hub’s Resource Center, including newly added presentations from the 2025 HERO Forum I. Log in required.

Leadership & Systemic Change for Workforce Mental Health

Mental health in the workplace requires more than standalone programs—it demands a systemic shift in culture, leadership engagement, and sustained commitment. In this discussion, we will explore how organizations can embed mental well-being into their culture, from early awareness efforts to comprehensive strategies. Additionally, we will examine the critical role of workplace change and its impact on employee mental health, highlighting how different types of change—such as organizational restructuring—can shape well-being outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into effectively advocating for mental health initiatives, tailoring interventions to support employees during transitions, and avoiding “carewashing” in times of uncertainty. Through real-world examples and lessons from global programs, this session will equip leaders with actionable strategies to foster resilient, supportive workplace environments where employees can thrive.

A Data-Driven Approach to Tracking and Communicating Belonginess Among University Employees

Research suggests that belonging, and its related constructs such as social determinants of health and health culture, has a strong association with health and wellness. Brought to the forefront by the COVID 19 pandemic, it has become apparent that employees thrive when their sense of belonging is optimal. As a result, measuring and understanding belongingness and its related constructs, among employees, can benefit organizations. In this session, the University of Michigan and Truven by Merative will share lessons learned from the development of dashboards and peer-reviewed research. More specifically, the team will outline measures to collect, analyze, visualize, and communicate belongingness and how this concept fits into an overall view of social determinants of health and health culture.