Resist the “Easy Button”: Why Pushing for More Leads to Better Benefits with Sara Richards, Director of Benefits at Red Bull

This episode features an interview with Sara Richards, Director of Benefits at Red Bull. With experience spanning the consulting, TPA, and in-house side of benefits, Sara’s experience gives her a unique perspective around what’s possible when it comes to developing and administering customized health and welfare solutions. 

In this episode, Kirk and Sara explore strategies for simplifying and effectively communicating benefits, the practical implementation of point solutions, and utilizing AI to improve employee engagement and fraud prevention.

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“ I am optimistic for those who are willing and able to not stop fighting to change the status quo. I'm optimistic as long as you are willing to put in the work to not just keep going with things and to get ahead of trends and to look at the unconventional solutions.  If you dare and you don't give up, then I am optimistic that we will be able to make this better, and that we as the employers have this ability to bring our buying power to truly impact change. With a layer of pessimism of, and if you don't dare, then it's not gonna be a fun ride for you in the next five, six years.” – Sara Richards

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Episode Timestamps:

*(00:51): Sara’s career journey

*(06:28): Innovative communication strategies 

*(13:06): Direct contracting and primary care

*(21:41): Shared savings and fraud prevention

*(32:26): The role of AI in benefits

*(36:41): Optimism for the future

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Links:

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn

Connect with Kirk on LinkedIn

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