Empowering Employees Through Financial Wellness: HR's Role
Overview:
Employees who feel financially empowered are more likely to maintain productivity and overall well-being. HR and Total Rewards leaders can leverage financial wellness programs to support holistic employee health. By integrating financial wellness into broader well-being initiatives, organizations can foster a healthier, more engaged workforce. Key strategies for HR leaders include:
● Connecting financial health with overall well-being: Identifying financial wellness drivers and creating targeted programs to address employees' critical needs.
● Building financial knowledge: Providing employees with the tools and resources to manage their finances effectively, paving the way for long-term financial security.
Key Takeaways:
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the interconnections between physical, social, mental, and financial dimensions of well-being.
2. Learn how financial wellness contributes to stress and mental health challenges.
3. Discover ways to integrate financial wellness programs into the overall Total Rewards strategy.
4. Explore how to embed financial literacy into employers’ 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans.
Meghna Gangwani is a seasoned HR leader with deep expertise in business partnering, total rewards, organizational development, and employee experience. She has successfully led HR strategies across diverse industries, driving transformational initiatives in change management, total rewards design, and global employee experience.
Meghna is also an Advisor to Plootus, a financial technology company focused on democratizing financial planning by optimizing 401(k)/403(b) plans. Previously, she had been AVP of Human Resources at Global Atlantic Financial Company, where she oversaw global HR programs to ensure a consistent, high-quality employee experience across multiple locations. Her career includes HR roles at innovative organizations like Stash, a fintech startup, as well as building HR functions from the ground up for a tech company in Hartford.
Meghna holds a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Cornell University’s ILR School and a Master’s in Social Work from the Delhi School of Social Work, India. She is passionate about staying at the forefront of HR trends and remains dedicated to driving positive change and fostering cultures of inclusion and growth.
Ritu Jethani is the Compliance Officer at Plootus. She has over 20 years of expertise in risk management, compliance, and operational resilience across global organizations. Most recently, as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Risk and Compliance at Bounteous, Ritu drove enterprise-level initiatives spanning statutory and regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, data privacy (HIPAA, GDPR, CCA), ESG frameworks, business continuity, and third-party risk management. Previously, Ritu has held leadership roles at Morgan Stanley (heading up Operational Risk functions) , Melio (building out a Risk and Compliance program), Deloitte (leading efforts around Conflict of Interest, AML, and Privacy), and Ernst & Young (in the Audit practice). She has extensive experience building and scaling robust risk management frameworks, navigating complex compliance landscapes, and leading teams through periods of hyper-growth and digital transformation. Ritu’s academic achievements include an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, where she honed her expertise in Corporate Finance and Strategy, and a bachelor's degree, specializing in Accounting, from the University of Connecticut. A proud member of Mensa International and the International High IQ Society, Ritu ranks in the top 1% globally for intellectual aptitude, reflecting her exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills. With a unique blend of leadership experience and intellectual rigor, she inspires diverse audiences—ranging from industry leaders to aspiring professionals—to embrace smarter, more secure approaches to navigating today’s complex financial landscape.
