Annie Ackerman
Highlands Ranch,CO
Summary
Results-driven Global Benefits Leader with 20 years of experience in benefits transformation for multinational organizations. Expertise in managing complex benefits across the Americas and collaborating with APAC and EMEA leadership. Delivers benefits harmonization and vendor optimization to enhance employee experience and ensure compliance while aligning programs with total rewards strategies for workforce wellbeing and organizational growth.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Benefits Solutions Leader – The Americas
Kenvue
04.2023 - Current
- Delivered over $1.5M in benefits cost optimization in 2025 through vendor strategy, program redesign, and operational efficiencies while maintaining competitive employee offerings.
- Drove strategic harmonization and optimization initiatives across Americas, aligning regional programs with global Total Rewards strategy to enhance program effectiveness.
- Led end‑to‑end benefits strategy and operations across 15 countries in Americas, supporting approximately 10,000 employees.
- Partner with senior leaders across Finance, Legal, HR, and Payroll to ensure compliant and seamless benefits delivery across multiple regulatory environments.
- Directed and developed regional team of benefits professionals for program delivery and vendor management, ensuring compliance and improving employee experience.
- Established governance frameworks and analytics-driven decision-making to monitor plan performance and mitigate risks.
- Maintained strategic visibility into global programs including retirement plans, global leave policies, and health & wellbeing initiatives across APAC, EMEA and The Americas, to ensure alignment and facilitate best-practice sharing.
Relationship Manager
Schwab Retirement Plan Services
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Advised corporate clients on retirement plan strategy and regulatory compliance, tailoring solutions to meet client objectives and enhance compliance adherence.
- Strengthened client relationships through proactive strategies that enhanced operational effectiveness and increased client satisfaction.
- Led cross‑functional teams to deliver tailored retirement solutions that increased client participation and improved financial wellness outcomes.
Operations Manager
Cambridge Construction
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Oversaw operational strategy to optimize vendor management, compliance reviews, and financial reporting.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened reporting accuracy.
- Managed daily operations to ensure project timelines and quality standards met.
- Coordinated resources and materials for construction projects across multiple sites to ensure timely completion.
- Supervised team members, enforcing safety protocols and compliance regulations to mitigate risks.
Senior Benefits Analyst
Customized HR Solutions
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Conducted benefit plan audits and filings, managed vendor relationships, and supported clients during mergers and acquisitions, ensuring compliance and facilitating seamless transitions.
- Collaborated with HR teams to design and implement benefits programs, improving employee satisfaction and retention.
- Analyzed employee benefit plans for regulatory compliance, enhancing adherence to organizational policies.
- Conducted audits of benefits data to ensure accuracy and integrity.
Senior Benefits Consultant
Denver Compensation & Benefits, LLC
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Administered and optimized retirement and non-qualified benefit plans for multi-state and international clients, enhancing plan effectiveness and client engagement.
- Developed tailored benefits plans aligning with client needs and industry standards, improving client satisfaction and retention.
- Analyzed market trends to refine benefits offerings, ensuring competitiveness and relevance in evolving markets.
- Advised clients on compliance with federal and state benefits regulations, mitigating risks and ensuring adherence to legal standards.
Senior Benefits Analyst
Western Union
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Directed retirement plan operations for U.S. and Canadian employees, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing operational excellence.
- Analyzed employee benefits data to identify trends, informing policy development and strategic decision-making.
- Collaborated with HR team to design inclusive benefits programs, enhancing workforce diversity.
- Developed training materials on benefits administration, increasing staff and management understanding of benefits policies.
Retirement Plan Client Service Manager
Merrill Lynch
01.1999 - 01.2007
- Oversaw corporate retirement plan relationships, delivering compliance oversight and operational management to enhance client satisfaction.
- Managed client relationships to maintain satisfaction and drive retention.
- Coordinated communication between clients and financial advisors to address client needs.
- Facilitated onboarding for new clients, providing tailored support for a smooth transition.
Education
Bachelor of Liberal Arts - Political Science
Colorado State University
Ft. Collins, CO05-1999
Skills
- Benefits governance
- Benefits compliance
- Retirement plan management
- Total rewards optimization
- Cost management strategies
- Vendor financial strategy
- Regulatory compliance expertise
- Global wellbeing
- Cross-regional collaboration
- Executive partnerships
- Team training
- Regional benefits leadership
Leadership Philosophy
Empower teams through trust, clarity, and accountability while driving operational excellence through harmonization, optimization, and data‑driven decision making. Focused on building scalable global benefits programs that enhance employee wellbeing and support business strategy.
Executive Core Competencies
- Global Benefits Strategy & Transformation
- Benefits Harmonization & Cost Optimization
- Americas Regional Benefits Leadership
- Total Rewards Program Governance
- Vendor Strategy & Financial Oversight
- Health, Wellbeing & Global Leave Programs
- Retirement Plan Strategy & Administration
- M&A Benefits Integration
- Regulatory Compliance (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, LATAM Regulations)
- Cross‑Regional Collaboration (Americas, APAC, EMEA)
- Executive Stakeholder Partnership
- People Leadership & High‑Performance Team Development
Timeline
Benefits Solutions Leader – The Americas
Kenvue
04.2023 - Current
Relationship Manager
Schwab Retirement Plan Services
01.2019 - 01.2023
Operations Manager
Cambridge Construction
01.2016 - 01.2019
Senior Benefits Analyst
Customized HR Solutions
01.2014 - 01.2016
Senior Benefits Consultant
Denver Compensation & Benefits, LLC
01.2012 - 01.2014
Senior Benefits Analyst
Western Union
01.2007 - 01.2011
Retirement Plan Client Service Manager
Merrill Lynch
01.1999 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Liberal Arts - Political Science
Colorado State University