America's Benefit Specialist November 2023

business services leader in the MidAtlantic. She began her career for Guardian Insurance Company as a claims examiner and has more than 30 years of industry experience.

focus on helping clients rapidly adapt to change and ensure every dollar spent is driving the outcomes that matter. Kunz comes to Alliant with more than a decade of combined sales and benefits experience. Prior to joining Alliant, Kunz was a principal at a large consulting firm. She earned her bache lor’s degree from Portland State University. Steve Gardner has joined Alliant as vice president within its Employee Benefits Group. Based in Rhode Island, Gardner will work with a broad range of clients to create, implement, and manage employee benefits solutions that address the changing needs of businesses and individuals. Gardner joins Alliant with more than 30 years of sales, insurance and employee benefits experience, serving clients across New England. Gardner was a vice president with a national benefits consulting firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut. Banner|Aetna, a joint venture health plan owned by Banner Health and Aetna, is proud to announce that Joanne Mizell , chief operating officer, has been named one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona by AZ Big Media. Mizell was chosen from a pool of over 1,900 candidates for her outstand ing leadership and contributions to the community. Mizell has been forging change in the healthcare industry for more than 30 years. In her role as chief operating officer at Banner|Aetna, Mizell has delivered innovative solutions like an industry-first frictionless billing initiative that makes complicated medical bills consumer-friendly, and a novel diabetes reversal program to help members achieve normal blood sugar without medication. In addition to her work at Banner|Aetna, Mizell is actively involved with the local Arizona community. She serves on the board of the Family Promise of Greater Phoenix and devotes her time to humanitarian and animal advocacy nonprofits. Mizell and others named to this year’s list of most influen tial women in Arizona were recognized at a recent awards dinner in Phoenix.

Alliant Insurance Services has announced some recent appointments: David Keyt has joined Alliant as director of employer-spon sored health centers within its Employee Benefits Group. Based in New Jersey, Keyt will partner with leaders across the organization to develop a framework of personalized, afford able and convenient healthcare delivery to meet the unique wellness needs of clients and their employees. Keyt has more than 20 years of benefits and insurance experience and a decade of directly related experience working with special ized practice groups focused on improving health outcomes and driving efficacy at every level. David is a board member of the National Association of Worksite Health Centers. Prior to joining Alliant, Keyt was a senior principal with a national benefits consulting firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and his master’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. Brian Montgomery has joined Alliant as vice president within its Employee Benefits Group in Houston. Montgom ery will design and implement comprehensive employee benefits programs for a growing and diverse client base across Texas and the Southwest. Montgomery joins Alliant with more than a decade of sales, benefit and insurance experience. He is focused on working with large-market, fully insured or self-funded groups that are looking to understand the best approach to reducing overhead, mitigating the rising costs of healthcare, and increasing employee retention through benefits. Prior to joining Alliant, Montgomery was an executive with one of the world’s largest insurance broker age and consulting firms. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business. Nicole Kunz has joined Alliant as vice president within its Employee Benefits Group. Based in Portland, Oregon, Kunz brings strategic resources, industry insights and intellectual capital to Alliant’s team in the Pacific Northwest and will

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