00:00Hello, my name is Gabriela Benitez and thank you for the opportunity to be part
00:04of the 2026 awards program for the International Year of Volunteers for
00:10Sustainable Development. I work at IMA Financial Group in employee benefits and
00:16healthcare strategy and every day I help companies design benefits that support
00:22their employees and their families. What I've learned throughout the years is
00:26that healthcare isn't just a workplace benefit, it's a frontline system that
00:31directly impacts dignity, opportunity, and the quality of life. Healthcare access is
00:38more important than most people realize until they need it. If you don't have
00:42health, as you know, you don't have nothing and this responsibility is not
00:46just for one person, one group. It belongs to all of us. The healthcare systems that
00:52consumers, the insurance carriers, providers, benefit brokers, employers,
00:56employees, families. Healthcare is very confusing and even for us professionals.
01:02So part of my role is not to just make it affordable but also simplify healthcare to
01:09provide a better experience for everyone. We have to translate complexity into
01:14clarity and we have to provide education far beyond open enrollment because when
01:21people can't access care early, we all pay for it through higher costs, loss to
01:27productivity, and poor healthcare outcomes. So access through to healthcare and
01:36education is really fundamental.
01:40I take my fiduciary responsibility in healthcare very seriously. Leadership,
01:47mentorship, and professional service aren't just values for me, they are how we
01:53improve community health. And whether I am mentoring HR leaders, serving on boards, or
01:59guiding employers through benefit strategy, my goal is always the same. Help people be
02:05informed, empowered, and proactive about their health. When leaders understand the
02:12healthcare, healthcare better, they make better decisions. When employees feel
02:17supported, they seek care earlier. And when companies invest in prevention and
02:23education or partner with the right vendors or service providers, then we lower costs
02:30and improve outcomes overall. Our healthcare system is complicated, like I said. So for
02:36many people, especially in multilingual and underserved communities, it can be very
02:41overwhelming. It can be daunting and scary. So that's why inclusion really matters,
02:47right? We can't rely on one-size-fits-all communication to provide this
02:53information. Broad education paired with customized individual guidance is really
03:01important. So if you're in manufacturing, your education might be slightly different than if
03:07you are in tech, right? And then also in languages, right? You have high Latino workforce
03:15versus not, then your education is going to be a little bit different. But just know that when
03:21people understand their benefits in their own language, literally and emotionally, they
03:27are more likely to use preventative care services, have a primary care physician,
03:31and manage chronic conditions, and ultimately lowering healthcare utilization and navigating
03:39their system a lot better than now. So inclusion isn't just for one individual, right? We're
03:47talking about different layers of inclusion. Now, I believe that policies matter, but sustainable
03:54well-being is built through everyday leadership. So it shows up in questions like, are we designing
04:02the benefits with people in mind, right? Are we encouraging preventative services? Are managers
04:09modeling healthy boundaries? Are they providing the resources at their level that they can share
04:16with employees? And are you as an, you know, as an individual or employer or consumer, are you
04:23investing in education year round, right? Are you educating yourself on services and resources?
04:29Well-being becomes sustainable when leaders consistently prioritize people, not just policies.
04:35Now, my call to action for HR leaders, employers, and companies is pretty simple. Embed health equity and
04:44preventative care into how you operate. Don't treat healthcare as an annual renewal exercise. Make
04:51it part of your organizational strategy. Invest in education in your, with intention, with early intervention,
05:03right? Support that, and then create inclusive access. Because when we do it well, we don't just
05:10improve benefits. We strengthen families, workplaces, and communities. Each of us have a role to play,
05:19and when we lead with empathy, education, and purpose, healthcare becomes more than just coverage.
05:27It becomes a pathway to stronger communities and healthier futures. Thank you.
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