Virtual Panel Discussion - Surviving Open Enrollment - A Public Sector HR Benefits Leader's Perspective

The Open Enrollment period presents an annual challenge for HR professionals. Now amidst a global pandemic, HR Professionals have had to pivot and implement new innovative ways of communicating their benefits packages. The right benefits package is so important in retaining your workforce.

Join IPMA-HR as we highlight Public Sector Benefit Leaders as they discuss their role and how they work through their annual open enrollment process, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their benefits offerings, and share innovative ideas on how to communicate/educate their employees.

Karen Bass (Moderator)

Health Insurance Manager

Montgomery County Government

Karen Bass currently works as the Health Insurance Manager for Montgomery County Government in Montgomery County, Maryland. She also serves as a member of the IPMA-HR Executive Council.

Linda Forsberg

North Carolina State Benefits Manager

Office of State Human Resources NCFlex Program

Linda Forsberg is the North Carolina State Benefits Manager for the Office of State Human Resources NCFlex program. She administers the voluntary benefit plans and open enrollment for state agencies, universities, and select community colleges and charter schools, for 125,000 eligible employees. Prior to working for the Office of State Human Resources, Linda worked for the North Carolina State Health Plan as a Program Manager.

Linda has over 20 years of experience in the benefits arena including benefits administration, product development, compliance, and operations. Linda earned an undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.B.A in Health and Medical Services Administration from Widener University.

Brian Haggerty

Compensation and Benefits Officer

Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, Denver, Colorado

Brian Haggerty is the Benefits and Compensation Officer at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in beautiful Denver, Colorado. He was worked in the public sector for over fifteen years and his specialties are data analytics, HR Change Management, and of course Compensation and Benefits. Brian also teaches at the University of Denver and the University of California Berkeley. Brian is a former president of the Colorado Chapter, the Western Region, and currently is a member of IPMA-HR’s Executive Council.

Jade Honga

Human Resources Manager

Mohave County, Arizona

Jade Honga graduated from Arizona State University with a dual bachelor's in Sociology and Criminal Justice & Criminology in 2012. In 2017 she graduated from City University of Seattle with a Master of Business Administration and an Emphasis in Human Resources Management.

Jade carries a Certification in Public Management from Arizona State University and IPMA-SCP from International Public Management Association for Human Resources. Jade has worked in various Human Resource roles starting in 2014 as an Employee Relations Specialist, Training and Development Senior Specialist, Human Resources Director, and is now a Human Resource Manager with Mohave County.