The Total Rewards Business Case: Building the ROI Story That Wins Budget in a Cost-Cutting Environment
Agenda:
Breakfast & Networking: 8:30 am - 9 am
Presentation: 9 am - 10 am
Questions & Networking: 10 am - 10:30 am
Location:
In person; AIA Offices:1100 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 2600, Arlington, Virginia 22209
Why this matters: Wellness, recognition, and engagement programs are often the first line items examined when budgets tighten — not because they don’t work, but because Total Rewards leaders struggle to prove they do. This session is a practical workshop on building the financial business case for Total Rewards investment using connected data: how to translate wellness participation into healthcare cost avoidance, how to link recognition frequency to retention savings, and how to defend program budgets in language a CFO will accept. Nathan will share the specific metrics and modeling frameworks Woliba customers use to protect and grow their Total Rewards investment.
The “why” tied to their job: Every Total Rewards leader has been asked to “justify the spend.” This session gives them the model, the metrics, and the narrative to do it confidently — and to turn budget defense into budget expansion.
Speakers:
Nathan Figg, CEO and Founder of Woliba. Nathan is an employee wellbeing and engagement platform dedicated to helping organizations build healthier, more connected workplace cultures. A lifelong fitness enthusiast and Master Personal Trainer, Nathan launched Woliba in 2014 to bring a more holistic approach to workplace wellbeing. Under his leadership, Woliba has become a recognized leader in employee engagement, wellness, and culture solutions. Nathan is also a combat veteran, having served in the Army National Guard with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, experiences that continue to shape his commitment to service, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.
Lilah Sabalones is a customer experience, communications, and engagement leader at Woliba, where she helps organizations create healthier, more connected workplace cultures through employee wellbeing and engagement initiatives. With nearly 20 years of experience in media, communications, and client engagement—including leadership roles at CNN, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC—she brings a unique perspective on storytelling, relationship-building, and customer success. Lilah is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that help organizations and their people thrive.
.png)