Live 2025: NYC Half-Day Benefits Conference

Lindsey Garito is a senior HR/People leader with 20 years of progressive experience in the field of human resources. Throughout her career, Lindsey has worked in various functions of HR including talent acquisition, total rewards, performance management, HR technology, employee relations, and HR operations. Her industry experience includes consumer services, hospitality, and healthcare within both private and non-profit sectors.
Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in HR Management and Master of Business Administration from Pace University. She holds professional certifications as both a SHRM-SCP by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and SPHR through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Lindsey is the proud recipient of the 2023 Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship Award through SHRM Foundation and 2024 Human Resources Professional of the Year through SHRM NYS.

Outside of professional work, Lindsey is dedicated to advancing the HR profession and mentorship. She actively serves on the board of Westchester HR Management Association (WHRMA) in Westchester County, New York, as Emerging Professionals Chair. Lindsey launched an inaugural mentorship program for the organization to bring mentorship to the local HR community and a certification grant award to support members pursuing professional HR certification. Lindsey also volunteers as a career mentor with several local and national organizations.  She also serves an ambassador for Engage NYC.

Lindsey is deeply committed to helping HR and business professionals and leaders grow and reach their highest potential. She is highly passionate about designing and executing strategies and best practices to cultivate both organizational and individual growth and success. Lindsey is also a thought leader and regularly shares her insights and experiences as a speaker, in various publications and media, and as a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council.

Alana is the Senior Director, Global Benefits at Equinox.

Emma is the Head of Global Benefits at Fanatics, Inc.

Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza is a freelance journalist and From Day One contributing editor who writes about work, the job market, and women’s experiences in the workplace. Her work has appeared in the BBC, The Washington Post, Quartz at Work, Fast Company, and Digiday’s Worklife.

Hannah Wilkowski, CEBS is a Human Resources professional with a decade of experience in both the Talent and Reward space, with a specialty and passion for Global Benefits and Wellness.

Currently, Hannah is the Senior Manager of Global Benefits and Wellness at BuzzFeed. In this role, she is responsible for the quality, integrity, and sustainability of all employee health, wellness, and retirement plans. Prior to this role, she was a Business Partner and Global Reward Specialist in the financial services industry. Hannah’s accomplishments include rebranding and expanding global employee benefits, implementing and growing Wellness Programs, and enhancing Parental Leave policies and offerings.

Hannah is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) by the IFEBP and Wharton Business School, received an M.S. from New York University, and a B.S. from Muhlenberg College. Hannah lives in Manhattan with her husband and 2 rescue dogs. Hannah enjoys yoga, hikes, and red wine.

Todd Fruchey, Vice President of Sales at Pelago, the leading digital clinic partner to U.S. businesses and health plans for substance use management. A results-driven and proven enterprise software sales leader, Todd has more than 18 years’ experience selling and managing sales teams for multiple organizations. His consistent ability to induce corporate growth in the form of new revenues and demonstrated competence in translating customer’s needs and business goals into successful implementations has helped lead Pelago’s North American sales team to success.

Todd is passionate about Pelago’s innovative, evidence-based platform for substance use disorder treatment, which empowers members to manage their substance use and improve their lives. Today, more than 3.4 million individuals have access to this transformative digital clinic.