Indiana’s Top Benefit Advisors Team
Here is a message from our Chief Strategy Officer
American Health and Wellness Group prides itself in the depth of knowledge & experience of its people.
When American Health and Wellness Group began serving clients in 2001, the mission was to create a paradigm shift in the delivery of corporate employee benefits by combining the disciplines of employee benefits and corporate wellness. The company sought to achieve the best possible health and financial outcomes for its clients.
Alicia Benson
ACCOUNT MANAGER
A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Journalism/Public Relations, Alicia has over 15 years of experience in account management with a focus on procurement, communications strategy and business development in the global meetings and travel industry. She is passionate about finding a strategic solution for every client, and creating the right-fit wellness program in partnership with our clients.
Family: Married with four children, two dogs, two cats and a lizard!
Favorites: Traveling, home remodeling, kayaking and spending time with family
Allison Harper
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST
Allison is a graduate of Indiana State University with a B.S in Insurance & Risk Management and has 7 years of experience in the health insurance industry. She is passionate about helping others in any way she can and enjoys finding creative solutions for clients to meet their needs.
Family: One daughter, Brynnlee who is 10, and two dogs, pugs Luna and Coco
Favorites: A good book, bonfires (with s’mores!), watching her daughter at sporting events and watching good movies!
Carol Ray
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST
Carol serves as a Client Services, Implementation Specialist for AHW. She brings over 10 years of experience as a Software Support Engineer in addition to experience as a payroll administrator for 3 major dealerships. Her roles included software support, implementation, project management and training on proprietary software.
Family: Married with 2 kids and 2 labs named X-Ray and Sting Ray
Favorites: Carol enjoys DIY projects, volunteering, spending time with her family and cheering on her kids at their sporting events
David Ellis
IT MANAGER
Bio coming soon.
Debbie Jernigan
DIRECTOR, BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Debbie Jernigan serves as the Director of the Benefits Administration and Technology Solutions team. She has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including roles in revenue cycle management, technology implementation and management, sales and marketing, client management, and process improvement.
Family: Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband, five children and 5-year-old cockapoo.
Favorites: Her favorite activities include spending time outdoors, running, cycling, playing with her children and anything football.
Jackie Weiss
VICE PRESIDENT
As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jackie Weiss is often the first contact a client has with American Health & Wellness Group. With 22 years of experience in the insurance industry, Jackie is well versed in the unique needs of employers and the solutions that American Health & Wellness can provide. She enjoys spending time with her teenage children and believes including them in altruistic endeavors sets a good tone. Together they work in a community “soup kitchen” monthly and have taken two mission trips to the Dominican Republic.
Family: Two children and a dog, Cody
Favorites: hiking, spinning, any outdoor activity
Jennifer Reid
HEALTH COACH
Jennifer Reid graduated with her BSN from the University of Evansville in 2016. She worked in an intensive care unit specializing in trauma, neuro, and surgical nursing care for the last 4.5 years and is an adjunct clinical instructor for Marian University of Indianapolis’ Accelerated BSN Program. She loves being able to use her nursing background to help our clients and their employees achieve optimal health outcomes.
Family: Husband, Brad and mini goldendoodle, Aubbi
Favorites: DIY projects, working out, crafting, and spending time with family (she is the oldest of 4 girls and am the second oldest of 21 grandchildren)
Jesse Barber
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Jesse brings 15 years of sales and leadership experience to AHW. As Director of Business Development, Jesse looks to prioritize a service-minded and people-first approach in the development of innovative, cost-saving solutions. Having been raised in Indianapolis, Jesse is eager to drive new business through the management of existing professional networks, as well as create new professional relationships across many unique spaces.
Family: Wife Lindsay, son Jamison, and daughter Finley
Favorites: Jesse enjoys time with family. A former University of Kentucky baseball player, fanatic to all things University of Kentucky Athletics related; especially the basketball and football programs. Jesse is a season ticket holder to the Indianapolis Colts and enjoys golf in his spare time. As a “foodie”, he always enjoys supporting the local culinary scene.
Jenny Challis
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
A graduate of Purdue University with 13 years of experience in Customer Service/Business development and 6 years of experience as an Account Manager. She is hyper focused on client needs and is passionate about wellness, living a healthy life and trying to positively influence others to be healthier.
Family: Married
Favorites: Yoga, weight lifting, traveling and my fur-kids (dog Rocco and cat Helen)
John Ruckelshaus
ADVISOR
A graduate of Indiana University with over a decade of professional experience working closely with regulatory bodies within Indiana. Prior to joining AHW, I served six years as a key consultant to Faegre Baker Daniels LLP. My extensive expertise includes a previous role with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development as well.
Juli Wertz
BOOKKEEPER
Bio coming soon.
Karen Cronlin
CLIENT SERVICES
Bio coming soon.
Kelly Witt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Kelly Witt serves as Chief Operating Officer for American Health and Wellness Group. She has enjoyed being in the health and wellness group benefits industry for over 25 years. Kelly’s diverse leadership background includes business operations, client management, sales and marketing, product development, reporting, wellness and onsite employer clinics.
Kim Mitchell
WELLNESS COORDINATOR
As a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio Kim has over 14 years in Customer Service experience and 3 years specifically in the health and wellness industry. She enjoys working with the AHW health coaches to provide our clients with top notch wellness guidance and support.
Family: Kim resides in Carmel, IN with husband Clint, and daughters Addison & MacKenna.
Favorites: Kim loves spending time with friends and family, dabbling in Graphic Design, skiing and running.
Kristen Mason-Glasscott
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
A graduate of Ohio State University, Kristen has more than 17 years of sales, marketing and strategic business development experience. She is a member of the Indiana Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Accelerent. Within her AHW business development role, she will drive continued growth for the company and focus on cultivating new business relationships to which AHW can bring exceptional value and provide lower benefit plan costs through a strategic approach.
Favorites: Spending time with her two girls, Carmel Dads Club Softball Coach, Traveling, Outdoor Activities, Colts and Ohio State Games
Lindsey Byerly
MARKETING ANALYST
A graduate of Butler University with a dual degree in International Studies and International Business, Lindsey has over five years experience in sales and marketing. She is an active Delta Gamma alumni and Dress for Success volunteer. Lindsey’s role is instrumental in creating unique and relevant content to engage with clients and new business relationships.
Family: Married
Favorites: Figure skating, painting, hiking, volunteering and traveling
Lucy Duncan
CONTROLLER
Bio coming soon.
Mallory Klausmeier
BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR
A graduate of Indiana University, Mallory has nearly a decade of health and wellness experience, along with project management and benefit consulting expertise. She is skilled in kinesiology and online paperless technology.
Family: Husband Tim and daughter, Lucy
Favorites: The vibrant culture of the Indianapolis, the arts and sporting events.
Mike Weiss
PRESIDENT & SENIOR ADVISOR
Insurance industry veteran Michael Weiss serves as CEO and president of American Health & Wellness Group. A graduate of University of Connecticut as well as New York Law School, Mike has spent nearly 40 years working with individuals and organizations to provide strategic insurance and employee benefits counsel. Holding Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designations, he launched his career as an underwriter in 1977. He remained on the east coast until coming to Indianapolis in 1998 to serve as chief operating officer for Key Benefit Administrators. Mike enjoys spending time with his family and supports Gleaners, Wheeler Mission and Special Olympics Indiana.
Family: Married with three adult children, 2 rescue dogs & 1 grandchild
Favorites: Travel, swimming, waterskiing and hiking. Fun fact: Mike is an Iron Man!
Paige Horgan
SENIOR HEALTH COACH
Paige is a graduate from DePauw University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Kinesiology and an ACSM Exercise Physiologist Certification. Prior to joining American Health & Wellness Group, she served as a Health Coach at Subaru America in their corporate wellness center. She is dedicated to helping members achieve a balanced lifestyle that encompasses all facets of health and wellness.
Favorites: Traveling, playing tennis, hiking, cooking, biking, and downhill skiing in the winter months.
Penny Hunsicker
SENIOR HEALTH COACH
Penny is a certified Lifestyle Fitness & Wellness Coach. Prior to coming aboard with AHW she owned her own health & wellness company and was the wellness coach for a family care and pediatric medical group. Penny has also been a frequent guest on Channel 13, educating and inspiring viewers on nutrition, exercise and overall wellness.
Family: Penny and Steve have been married over 30 years and have four kids and a Shih Tzu named Holly.
Favorites: Sunshine is one of Penny’s favorite things especially if she is biking, hiking fishing, or boating with her family.
Samantha Brinkman
HEALTH COACH
Samantha is a graduate from Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Prior to coming onboard with American Health and Wellness, she was a mental health specialist with one of the largest mental healthcare organizations in Central Indiana.
She is currently Vice Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Council for the state of Indiana and a Certified Stress Management Coach. Samantha is passionate about empowering individuals to take ownership of their health and well-being while using a holistic approach to build better lifestyle habits and boost self-esteem.”
Family: Samantha has a friendly and adorable lab mix dog named Luna.
Favorites: Samantha enjoys exploring new places and hiking. She loves to try new recipes and host loved ones at her home where everyone is welcome and has a seat at the table. Samantha is a lifelong learner who loves to read and listen to podcasts. She enjoys working out, watching a good game of basketball, and having game nights with close friends.
Samantha Cohen
ADMINISTRATION
Bio coming soon.
Sue Herrmann
SENIOR BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION SPECIALST
Sue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from University of Dayton and a Master of Arts degree from Wayne State University. She worked for six years at Computer Sciences Corporation in their Healthcare Division, training clients and employees on their proprietary healthcare claims processing system. Sue also worked in Human Resources for CSC and was responsible for all employee development activities including new hire orientation, new manager orientation and leadership skill training. Sue is also certified to teach secondary education with endorsements in both Business Education and English.
Family: Married with 2 kids and 2 pugs named Charli and Clara Belle.
Favorites: Sue enjoys physical fitness, travel, cheering on her kids during their favorite activities and a good book.
Tina Weiss, CEBS
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Tina holds a BS in Finance from UConn and a Certified Employee Benefit Designation (CEBS) through the Wharton School of Business. She has enjoyed being in the health and wellness industry for over 20 years. Tina started her career with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and later joined a Third Party Administrator specializing in self-funded health plans and population health management. Tina plays an integral role with clients in developing strategic solutions to lower health care costs through outcome-based wellness programs, data analytics and captive programs.
Family: Married with 3 children, 2 rescue dogs (Chloe & Lola) & 1 grandchild
Favorites: Travel, yoga, watersports, hiking, reading & spending time with family