Carol Bennett’s innovation and commitment to inclusion led to her recognition as the Human Resources/Benefits Professional of the Year at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18.
Bennett, the senior advisor of Canadian health and welfare benefits at BMO Financial Group, was awarded for the innovation she has brought to the bank’s benefits and wellness programs over the years, as well as her commitment to making sure all of the bank’s employees feel supported and have proper representation.
She’s a long-standing employee at BMO with a tenure of more than 35 years in health and benefits. “Ever since joining the team, Carol has been a dynamic and visionary leader who consistently supports the health and well-being of our employees and the diverse segments that make up our Canadian landscape,” noted the Workplace Benefits Awards nomination.
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Bennett says she wasn’t initially interested in a career in benefits, so in a way it chose her. “I had previously worked in compensation and when I came back from maternity leave, the opportunity that was available was on the benefits side of things. While I wasn’t interested initially, it’s something I grew to love very quickly. I have a lot of mentors in this space and I’ve learned so much over the years. With benefits, you can truly know you’re making a difference in your employees’ lives and their families’ lives.”
According to the nomination, Bennett excels at creating competitive and cost-effective solutions that deliver immense value to both the employer and employees. “This isn’t easy, as she has to balance employee experience and maintain the integrity of the benefits plan, including risk and cost. But she’s always able to deliver by being articulate, thoughtful and prepared. Over the years, Carol has built a solid reputation as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and a compassionate colleague to her team.”
One example of Bennett’s commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace was her role in leading the implementation of BMO inclusive benefits in 2023. She ensured employees had access to gender affirmation coverage, financial support when building a family through a program she created called ‘Pathways to Parenthood’ and expanded reimbursement for Indigenous practices under BMO’s wellness account.
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Additionally, she’s always forward-thinking and ready for the future, noted the nomination. The 2023 changes parallel changes 30 years ago when she pioneered a range of diverse medical and dental coverages designed to accommodate various family structures and address the evolving health needs of the modern workforce — options BMO continues to provide today.
Bennett is known for challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries to test and implement innovative solutions. Her efforts have made information easily accessible and simple to understand for employees, according to the nomination, which noted creativity is one of her hallmark traits.
Looking back at her career, Bennett wants people to know that when it comes to benefits nothing is static, the industry is always evolving and it can be a very fulfilling area to work in.
“There’s always something to learn, even with new benefits technology, and also more challenges to deal with. So I think my legacy is about encouraging people to keep growing in the benefits space. There are a lot of people who want to learn something and move on, learn something and move on. And I feel like in the benefits space, you can do that continually [while staying] in benefits and you just can keep growing and have a full, rewarding career.”
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