Event recap: Omnify Benefit Solutions Forum 2026

On April 8, Omnify hosted its second Benefit Solutions Forum at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. HR professionals, along with brokers and consultants from across the state, gathered to expand their knowledge of employee benefits and industry trends. The speaker lineup featured Vanessa Gillette of Visa®, Sherry Lawton of the American Bankers Association HSA Council, Jeremy Christensen of Baird Holm, and Eli Crittenden of Omnify. The event also included a dynamic HR panel discussion led by Chad Thies of Zelle, with panelists Joi Barksdale of Duncan Aviation, Ryan Boyd of NP Dodge, and Emily Olinger of Nelnet.

The forum opened with Vanessa Gillette, Director of Prepaid Product for Healthcare & Employee Benefits at Visa. She presented findings from Visa’s biannual FSA and HSA consumer research, which offers a unique view into how consumers understand, use, and feel about their tax-advantaged health benefits. Drawing on Visa’s scale and payments expertise, the research tracks trends in awareness, usage, financial readiness, and barriers to adoption, providing actionable insights for employers and benefits partners working to simplify benefits and boost consumer confidence in managing healthcare expenses. 

Next, Jeremy Christensen, Partner at Baird Holm, joined Eli Crittenden, Relationship Manager and Benefits Professional at Omnify, for a practical session on nondiscrimination testing. They walked HR professionals through the requirements for Section 125 cafeteria plans, health FSAs, and dependent care FSAs, covering key definitions such as highly compensated employees, key employees, and applicable compensation rules. Using real-world employer examples, the presenters highlighted how everyday HR and payroll practices affect testing outcomes and shared actionable steps to prevent compliance issues, avoid year-end surprises, and address corrections when needed.

The next segment featured an HR and benefits panel moderated by  leadi, President of Zelle. Panelists discussed how HR teams are navigating a rapidly changing landscape driven by economic uncertainty, rising healthcare costs, and ongoing talent shortages. As employee expectations continue to evolve, the conversation highlighted shifting benefit utilization trends, the growing demand for holistic support and flexible work models, and the critical role managers play in shaping the daily employee experience. While technology has enhanced personalization and efficiency, the panel emphasized the need to balance digital tools with human connection to build trust, engagement, and meaningful workplace culture.

The final session featured Sherry Lawton, Chief Growth Officer at DataPath, speaking on behalf of the American Bankers Association HSA Council. Sherry explored how the workforce has fundamentally shifted, with younger, tech‑savvy employees — especially Gen Z — seeking greater financial empowerment and control. Her presentation examined the transition from pension-era benefits to digital-first models and highlighted how a comprehensive mix of tax-advantaged and post-tax accounts — including FSAs, HRAs, ICHRAs, LSAs, and HSAs — can meet evolving workforce needs, with HSAs serving as the foundation. Attendees gained insights on positioning financial wellness tools for long-term relevance and attracting and retaining talent across a multigenerational workforce.

Omnify’s second Benefit Solutions Forum brought big ideas, fresh perspectives, and practical takeaways to HR and benefits leaders across the state. From compliance insights to evolving workforce expectations, the conversations reflected how quickly the benefits landscape is changing — and how much opportunity there is to do it better. Attendees left with new connections, actionable ideas, and renewed energy to design benefits programs that truly support employees today and grow with them tomorrow.