CPHR CPD:  1.0

Session Topic

This presentation will provide a broad overview of the International Foundation’s pension and benefits educational offerings – including the CEBS program and Canadian conferences/training programs – to help individuals learn new skills and upskill for the future.

About the Facilitators

Alyssa Hodder Director, Education and Outreach – Canada

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)

 
With more than 20 years of experience, Alyssa is Director, Education and Outreach – Canada, with the Foundation. In this role, she is responsible for the successful design, development, maintenance and overall implementation of select educational programs, as well as representing and raising awareness of the Foundation through outreach, relationship management and engagement of employers, pension/benefit funds and industry stakeholders across Canada. She also supports the development and growth of the Foundation’s global multinational educational offerings.
Before joining the Foundation, Alyssa spent several years as a Senior Communications Consultant with Eckler Ltd., helping clients across sectors and industries – including public sector, corporate, union, not-for-profit, trusteed and multi-employer plans – solve their toughest communication challenges, with a special focus on member engagement and change management.
Prior to that, Alyssa was Director, Knowledge Resource Centre with Buck Consultants, responsible for keeping clients informed on legislative changes and developments. Alyssa spent the previous eight years as Editor/Managing Editor of Benefits Canada magazine, with overall responsibility for its print and online editorial operations. She also previously worked in various communications and marketing roles at Buck Consultants.
Alyssa earned her Master and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. She earned her Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation in 2023 and has successfully completed the Canadian Securities Course, as well as the Foundation’s Fundamentals in Group Benefits Certificate and Fundamentals in Retirement Plans Certificate. Alyssa is very active in the pension and benefits industry, serving as Associate Fellow with the National Institute on Ageing (NIA); Chair of the Marketing Committee with the Group Insurance and Pharmaceutical Committee (GIPC); past Vice-Chair of the Strategic Initiatives Committee with the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM); and past member of the Ontario Regional Council with the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI).

Sandy Tellefson, MS, CEBS Director, Outreach and Member Engagement

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Brookfield, Wisconsin

Sandy is the Director, Outreach and Member Engagement at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In this role she leads outreach and relationship management for the Foundation and its educational programs. Sandy also works with universities and students to raise awareness of careers in employee benefits and is the liaison for schools that offer Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS®) courses or encourage students to pursue the professional designation. Sandy holds the CEBS designation, a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI.

Rachel Olson, CEBS Director, CEBS Program Development & Operations

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Brookfield, Wisconsin

Rachel is the Director, CEBS Program Development & Operations with the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In this role, she is responsible for the implementation of strategic directions to increase participation rates in the CEBS program, growing the community of benefit professionals as part of ISCEBS and raising awareness of the CEBS credentials.
She earned her CEBS designation in 2019. Rachel has degrees from Marquette University including a master’s degree in Organizational Communication and an undergraduate degree in Public Relations.

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