BenefitsPRO Reveals Finalists for Top Advisor Amid Industry Shift

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – April 14, 2026 – BenefitsPRO, a leading information resource for the employee benefits sector, has officially named the five finalists for its prestigious 2026 Advisor of the Year award. The announcement spotlights a group of professionals whose work exemplifies a profound shift in the industry, moving from traditional brokerage to strategic advisory focused on solving deep-rooted healthcare challenges. The winner will be unveiled at the upcoming BenefitsPRO Broker Expo in Chicago, scheduled for April 28–30, 2026.

This year's finalists, selected from hundreds of nominations, are Alex Dampf, founder of Oakmont Benefits; Allison De Paoli, founder of Altiqe Consulting; Dennis Hartin, EVP at Hub International; Kristine Scheer, Founder and CEO of K2 Strategic; and Al Schiebel, CEO of ShopBenefits. Each is recognized for their commitment to innovation, exceptional client service, and tireless efforts to make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible.

From Broker to Strategic Advisor: A New Era of Recognition

The award, which has celebrated industry leaders for over two decades, was formerly known as the Broker of the Year Award. Its rebranding in recent years to 'Advisor of the Year' is more than a semantic change; it signifies a crucial evolution in the role and expectations of benefits professionals. The modern advisor is no longer simply a facilitator of insurance transactions but a strategic partner who guides employers through the labyrinthine complexities of the American healthcare system.

This evolution is driven by relentless market pressures. With healthcare costs projected to rise by as much as 10% in 2026 and pharmacy expenses climbing even faster, employers are desperate for solutions that go beyond incremental plan adjustments. The most effective advisors are now expected to be data analysts, supply chain managers, and behavioral health experts who can design and implement long-term strategies for cost containment and employee well-being.

"We receive hundreds of nominations every year, and it's a wonderful reminder of the great things that are happening in our industry. The stories are always remarkable," said Paul Wilson, Editor-In-Chief of BenefitsPRO. "These five finalists embody everything we look for: advisors who lead with purpose, challenge the status quo, and make a real difference for the employers and employees they serve."

This sentiment underscores the award's focus on professionals who are actively working to disrupt a broken system, rather than just operate within its confines. They are recognized for their ability to deliver measurable results, empower employers, and ultimately improve the lives of the employees who depend on these benefits.

Meet the Innovators: A Glimpse at the 2026 Finalists

The work of this year's finalists provides a clear picture of what it means to be a modern benefits advisor. Their strategies are proactive, data-driven, and deeply human-centric.

Allison De Paoli of Altiqe Consulting is a vocal advocate for transparency and employer-led healthcare reform. With over 30 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to exposing systemic flaws in healthcare funding. De Paoli even produced a documentary, "It's Not Personal, It's Just Healthcare," to educate a wider audience on the issue. Her firm builds performance-based health plans designed to retain dollars within local communities and has helped clients achieve sustained flat cost increases, a remarkable feat in the current environment.

At Hub International, Dennis Hartin has gained recognition for his direct approach to managing the healthcare supply chain. He works with employers to reverse escalating costs by promoting transparency and eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. One of his most notable innovations is the creation of "Emotional Vaccines," a preventative mental health solution developed with Dr. Rahul Mehra. This program uses short, educational videos to build employee resilience and has been credited with dramatically reducing employee turnover and mental health medication usage for participating clients.

Al Schiebel, CEO of ShopBenefits, is leveraging technology to empower both employers and employees. His company has developed a platform that allows businesses to create custom online benefits stores. This approach provides employees with a wider array of choices from multiple carriers, enabling them to select plans that fit their individual needs, while advanced technology helps employers manage costs and streamline administration.

Alex Dampf of Oakmont Benefits and Kristine Scheer of K2 Strategic round out the impressive list of finalists. Both are recognized for their leadership in challenging industry norms and delivering exceptional value to the employers and employees they represent, embodying the forward-thinking principles celebrated by the award.

Tackling Today's Headwinds: Cost, Mental Health, and Personalization

The strategies employed by the finalists are not just innovative in a vacuum; they are direct and powerful responses to the most significant trends shaping the benefits landscape. The primary challenge remains cost. With health insurance premiums and pharmacy costs—especially for specialty drugs—continuing their steep ascent, advisors who can deliver real, sustainable savings are invaluable.

Simultaneously, the demand for robust mental health support has become non-negotiable. The pandemic amplified an existing crisis, and employers now understand that mental well-being is intrinsically linked to productivity, engagement, and retention. Proactive and preventive solutions like Hartin's "Emotional Vaccines" represent a critical shift away from reactive, underutilized Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) toward integrated mental wellness strategies.

The one-size-fits-all benefits package is also becoming a relic. A diverse, multi-generational workforce demands flexibility and personalization. Advisors are increasingly using technology, like the platform developed by Schiebel's ShopBenefits, to offer customized options that cater to varying life stages and priorities, from student loan assistance and financial wellness tools to specialized family-building benefits.

The Stage is Set for Chicago

The culmination of this year's award program will take place at the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, widely regarded as the industry's premier educational and networking event. Attracting over 1,000 benefits professionals from across the country, the expo is a critical forum for discussing regulatory changes, discovering new solutions, and shaping the future of the industry.

This year's agenda is packed with sessions on the industry's most pressing topics, including "The Hidden Costs Of Prescription Drugs," "Rethinking Work in the Age of AI," and "What Brokers Need to Communicate to Clients About True Cost Containment Innovations." The five Advisor of the Year finalists will be honored during the event and will each participate in an on-stage interview, giving attendees a firsthand look into their groundbreaking work before the 2026 winner is announced live.