Denise Balch has a long history working in the benefits and private health-care sector. She founded Connex Health in 2000, where she works with clients to identify custom solutions to the challenges in benefits and private health care. This includes co-authoring several white papers and working on projects that are creating fundamental shifts in group benefits, including vision care and prior authorization. 

Having spent much of her career working with insurers and consulting firms in progressively senior roles, Balch founded the Benefits Breakfast Club (BBC) in 1992, an education series for insurance professionals, purchased in 2023 by Crosslinks and which she continues to support. She produces podcasts, blogs, webinars and articles for publication on behalf of the BBC and other clients. 

Balch was a finalist in the lifetime achievement category at the 2013 Rogers Workplace Health and Benefits Awards and is also a certified excellence professional in Excellence Canada’s healthy workplace standard. She also holds a benefits and private health-care associate (BPHA) designation as well as an Ontario Life Licence. Balch currently serves as vice chair of the board of the Timiskaming Hospital in New Liskeard, Ont. and is also on the hospital’s finance, executive and governance committees.