TRACEY FURNISH
Greenwood,IN
Summary
Dynamic benefits leader with 20+ years of experience managing multi-state health, welfare, and retirement programs for a diverse workforce. Successfully drives cost management initiatives and enhances employee engagement through strategic program improvements and regulatory compliance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Benefits Administration & Compliance
COMMUNICARE HEALTH SERVICES | National Post-Acute
Cincinnati, OH
05.2025 - Current
- Direct enterprise-wide benefits strategy and compliance for comprehensive health and welfare and retirement programs supporting a complex, multi-state workforce of 19,000 employees (May 2025).
- Oversee medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, voluntary benefits, HSA, FSA, COBRA, MERP, and retirement programs to enhance employee benefits offerings.
- Partner with executive leadership, brokers, legal counsel, HRIS, Payroll, and third-party vendors to improve operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and employee experience.
- Led annual Open Enrollment strategy and execution, including benefit plan implementation, vendor coordination, employee communications, educational resources, Workday configuration, and enrollment administration.
- Led the transition of six voluntary benefit programs to a new carrier, coordinating plan implementation, eligibility, payroll deductions, vendor integrations, employee communications, enrollment, and transition activities to support a seamless January 2026 launch.
- Collaborated with brokers and internal stakeholders to execute two mid-year benefit plan changes designed to reduce organizational costs, coordinating implementation and developing required SMM notices to ensure compliant and transparent employee communication.
- Directed compliance initiatives across ERISA, ACA, COBRA, Section 125, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Lead complex vendor implementations, integrations, and process improvement initiatives to strengthen data accuracy, internal controls, and administrative efficiency.
- Partner with leadership and external consultants on benefit plan strategy, design, cost management, vendor performance, and initiatives that balance organizational objectives with employee needs.
- Developed and maintained benefit governance and compliance documentation, including ERISA Wrap Documents, Section 125/Cafeteria Plan documents, and required notices, to support regulatory compliance and administrative clarity.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction to the benefits team, driving process standardization, accountability, documentation, and continuous improvement.
Benefits Manager, U.S. & Canada
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Directed strategy and administration of 20+ health and welfare, 401(k), pension, voluntary, executive, and international benefit programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Partnered with executive leadership, consultants, brokers, and vendors on benefits strategy, cost management, renewals, RFPs, plan performance, and vendor relationships.
- Led administration and compliance of complex 401(k), defined benefit pension, and nonqualified deferred compensation programs, including audits, reporting, funding, and financial controls.
- Directed regulatory compliance, benefits reporting, and plan audits, including 5500, PBGC, ACA, Medicare, nondiscrimination testing, and self-insured medical/pharmacy audits.
- Directed open enrollment strategy and execution, improving employee communications and streamlining vendor integrations.
- Co-Led Workday Benefits and Workday Payroll implementation, building out employee self-service capabilities resulted in a 40% reduction of manual HR work.
- Led M&A benefits integrations, facilitating employee transitions and maintaining continuity of benefit programs for affected employees.
- Leveraged benefit utilization, cost trends, stop-loss claims, and case management data to support strategic decision-making and program performance.
Senior Benefits Analyst, U.S. & Canada
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Co-led benefits strategy, retirement administration, and vendor management for complex U.S. and Canadian programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Analyzed employee benefits data to identify trends and recommend improvements.
- Collaborated with HR to ensure compliance with regulations and policies.
Benefits Analyst, U.S. & Canada
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Analyzed employee benefits data for accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Conducted analysis of benefits administration and compliance to ensure alignment with vendor agreements.
- Collaborated with HR to develop competitive benefits packages for employees.
Benefits Specialist
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Administered employee benefit programs, facilitating Open Enrollment and resolving complex benefits issues to enhance employee understanding and engagement.
- Administered employee benefits programs and ensured compliance with regulations.
- Provided guidance on health, retirement, and wellness benefits to employees.
Benefits Coordinator
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Coordinated employee benefits enrollment and eligibility processes for a diverse workforce.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive benefits documentation and policy guidelines.
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding benefits, providing clear information and support.
Education
Associate Degree - Business Administration and Management
Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KYSkills
- Benefits strategy and governance
- Health and welfare benefits
- Retirement and 401(k) plans
- Regulatory compliance
- Cost management
- Plan design
- Total rewards management
- Enrollment strategy
- Vendor management
- Self-funded health plans
- Process automation
- Team leadership
- Change management
Timeline
Director of Benefits Administration & Compliance
COMMUNICARE HEALTH SERVICES | National Post-Acute
05.2025 - Current
Benefits Manager, U.S. & Canada
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2021 - 01.2025
Senior Benefits Analyst, U.S. & Canada
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2018 - 01.2021
Benefits Analyst, U.S. & Canada
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2014 - 01.2018
Benefits Specialist
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2009 - 01.2014
Benefits Coordinator
KAO USA INC. | Multinational Consumer Products, Be
01.2005 - 01.2009
Associate Degree - Business Administration and Management
Thomas More University