Updated on January 4, 2023
23 Reasons to Earn Your CEBS in 2023 – From Your Peers
With the start of the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your goals and set a course for your professional development. Resolve to begin something completely new! As a benefits professional, now is the time to grow what you know and make your resume stand out with the CEBS® designation. It’s always important to remember the reasons why you want to learn new knowledge and skills. This will inspire you to strive for your goals.
We recently surveyed holders of the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® designation. Below is a little extra motivation from 23 other benefits industry professionals on how earning the CEBS designation has benefitted them the most.
“The CEBS designation has provided me with credibility in my workplace and a better understanding of all areas of benefit administration.”
Katrina Amoroso, CEBS
Benefits Manager, MRI Software
“The CEBS designation has given me instant recognition with my peers. When I walk into the door of a new opportunity, it also gives me instant credibility.”
Michael Kohl, CEBS
VP of Sales – Strategic Accounts, Vida Health
“The CEBS designation has helped me accelerate my career and has given me the knowledge needed to succeed.”
Sarah Holm, CEBS
Senior Associate, Health & Benefits, Mercer
“Earning the CEBS designation was a personal capstone. I have increased confidence.”
Rhonda Jackson, CEBS
Pension Associate, Ford-UAW Retirement Board
“Community. Confidence. Connections.”
Paul Stephens, CEBS
Director, Group Benefits, British Columbia, Manulife
“The CEBS designation has allowed me to be the best employee I can be for my company, so I do not have to rely on the expertise of brokers and consultants.”
Marcella Kaminski, CEBS
Director Benefits Planning, Pilkington North America Inc.
“Earning my CEBS designation has opened new career opportunities with my current employer, leading to increased responsibility as well as a promotion. I also feel confident in my ability to advise senior leaders on benefit issues and considerations.”
Caitlin Leidy, CEBS
Senior Benefits Specialist, Lehigh University
“The comprehensive nature of the CEBS program as well as the top-shelf networking with peers has kept me in the forefront of industry challenges.”
Michael Picard, CEBS
Chief Financial Officer, SWBR Architecture, Engineering and Landscape Architecture, D.P.C.
“The CEBS designation has given me confidence in the knowledge I’ve acquired while working in the benefits space for many years.”
Charles Azu, CEBS
Global Comp and Benefits, Stellantis
“My career trajectory has advanced to heights that I would have never achieved without my CEBS designation.”
John Lim, CEBS
Senior Vice President, Total Rewards, Social Solutions Global
“It has given me a great understanding of group benefit and retirement plans. I like knowing what I’m talking about.”
Jessica Rybka, CEBS
Group Medical Underwriter, Empire Life
“The CEBS designation has made me a desirable candidate for jobs. Employers like to see this credential.”
Jennifer Bergman, CEBS
Senior Program Manager, Zendesk
“My opinions seem to have more weight now with the CEBS designation for support.”
Francoise Cassidy, CEBS
Director Payroll Pensions & Benefits, Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co.
“I feel a strong sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. With the CEBS designation, I feel more confident in my abilities and myself.”
Diana Almeida, CEBS
Pension Analyst, IWA Forest Industry Pension & LTD Plans
“It has given me credibility. The CEBS designation is the true gold standard to have if you are in the consulting field.”
Glenn Kehrer, CEBS
President, Group Benefits Consulting of Canada
“Earning my CEBS designation has helped me to stand out among my colleagues because it shows determination, knowledge and dedication to continued learning.”
Teresa Babcock, CEBS
Principal Benefits Analyst, First American Financial Corp.
“Earning the CEBS designation has given me a great deal of personal satisfaction, validation of my many years in the industry and access to IFEBP and ISCEBS resources and peers.”
Robin Wolf, CEBS
Retirement Compliance & Communications Officer, Harvard University—HHR Benefits
“Securing a CEBS designation elevated me in my organization. I took on increasing responsibilities in benefits-related activities so that I was prepared to take on a leadership role when one became available.”
Dottie Dykstra, CEBS
Manager – Employee Benefits, TDS
”It provided me with the knowledge and confidence to have the most impactful conversations with my prospects and clients.”
Andrew Burgess, CEBS
Regional Manager, Group Benefit Solutions, High Net Worth Insurance Services, RBC Insurance
“Earning the CEBS designation has intensified my knowledge and understanding of employee benefits design and regulations, making me the go-to expert for all things benefits for our organization.”
Karen Giammalvo, CEBS
Benefits Manager, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
“The CEBS designation gives you a leg up when you are a candidate for a position.”
Celeste Humphreys, CEBS
Senior Benefits Administrator, Sodexo
“The CEBS designation has provided me with professional recognition among my peers and clients and increased subject matter knowledge.”
Paul Stoehr, CEBS
Partner, Ledbetter Parisi LLC
“I graduated from college and landed my first job in employee health and benefits consulting in client management. There was so much that I learned the first year that I pushed myself to complete the CEBS program, which I did in December 2021. This designation gave me the background to catch myself up education-wise with my counterparts as well as gain credibility with my clients.”
Alexandra Then, CEBS
Client Manager, Marsh & McLennan Agency
Are you ready to say hello to a bright future? Click here to learn more about taking charge of your career trajectory with the industry’s most respected credential—the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation.
Join us and learn more at a free webinar in January 2023!
Your Complete Guide to Earning the CEBS Designation
Canadian Webinar: January 11, 2023 – 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Webinar: January 17, 2023 – 12:00 pm ET