Registration for this event is now closed. If you have any questions regarding this event, please call 412-343-2437 or e-mail info@gfoapa.org.
The GFOA-PA West Region cordially invites you to our Annual Holiday Luncheon. Please join us for this event to engage, unwind, and catch up with your GFOA-PA colleagues.
The luncheon will include an engaging educational presentation, Bridging the Gap: Total Compensation Strategies for an Equitable Workplace, with time to network following the presentation. One CPE credit will be offered for the session.
Bring a dozen of your favorite cookies for a fun cookie exchange at the end of the session.
About our Presenters:
Jessica Grande
Senior Consultant, Employee Benefits Practice
Cowden Associates, Inc.
Jessica joined Cowden in March 2021 as a consultant in the employee benefits practice to advise clients on the intricacies of their benefits and health and welfare plans. She works closely with clients to focus on plan funding strategies and implementation, compliance issues, and overall plan financial management.
Jessica offers a strong background as a health and welfare benefits consultant and corporate benefits manager. During her career, she was responsible for managing the strategy, financing, and operations of a health and welfare benefits plan for over 6,500 domestic employees and 3,500 retirees. Her experience managing overall implementation and ongoing service for multi-line, large-scale benefits strategy and delivery as well as her focused approach to project and people management compliment Cowden’s mission to assist clients in achieving their business objectives.
Jessica earned her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Allegheny College. She is a licensed Pennsylvania Life Accident and Health agent and is non-resident producer in Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia. Jessica also holds a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation and obtained her SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) certification.
Lesa Votovich
Vice President of Employee Benefits and Operations
Cowden Associates, Inc.
Lesa, who joined Cowden in 2013, is vice president of employee benefits and operations. Her 25-plus years of experience in the employee benefits consulting field is valuable to her clients as she advises them on the intricacies of their health and welfare plan funding, compliance, and operational processes. Lesa focuses on the development of strategic plan designs that position her clients to achieve their goals of providing benefits in a shifting insurance marketplace. From an operational standpoint, she works to develop internal operations and procedures designed to achieve Cowden’s overall operational goals. In addition, she assists with overseeing many of the day-to-day office operations.
Attentiveness to detail of plan financial and data analytics as well as astute vendor management and negotiations bolster Lesa’s recommendations to clients. She is dedicated to working with her clients to develop and implement solid business plans to construct and manage health and welfare plan offerings that contribute to overall employee health and satisfaction, while enhancing business profitability.
Lesa earned her Bachelor of Science with a concentration on health policy and administration from The Pennsylvania State University. In addition, she holds a Pennsylvania Life, Accident and Health License, a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits (IFEBP), and is currently working towards the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation. Lesa earned the Certified Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional accreditation from the National Association of Health Underwriters. She also serves as Vice President on the Board of the Pittsburgh Association of Health Underwriters (PAHU) and the education committee for Pittsburgh Business Group on Health (PBGH), and is a member of Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA).
The depth and breadth of Lesa’s knowledge in the health benefits and welfare fields has positioned her to speak on various health and welfare topics at the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, the Healthcare Council of Western PA.
Please e-mail info@gfoapa.org if you have any questions regarding this event.