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Professional Development Programs & Events

WATRA offers engaging and informative in-person and on-line professional development programs on a regular basis throughout the year. These programs are provided at a low cost to our members and $45 for non-members.

Whether provided by consultants and technical experts or academic faculty from a local university, our professional development programs provide critical technical knowledge and issue exploration. These are truly design to be continuing education and help forward the science of compensation and benefits.

​In addition, WATRA is a local partner of WorldatWork and supports its training and certification programming. WATRA will host in-person certification programs in the future but you can view their online catalog here: WorldatWork Certification Courses.


Upcoming Programs

    • April 25, 2024
    • 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
    • Mercer DC Office: 1050 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036
    Register

    Event Start

    Networking begins at 8:30 am.  The formal event is from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

    About the Event

    For nearly 40 years, the Mercer National Survey of Employer Sponsored Health Plans has been one of the most comprehensive, statistically valid surveys measuring health plan trends.  Join us at Mercer’s Washington, DC office on April 25th to understand how macro trends are shaping employer-sponsored health benefits and some non-traditional levers employers are pulling to manage costs while ensuring flexibility.

    We'll explore the survey results and actions employers are taking toward:

    • Promoting affordability in light of recent cost growth and its impact on employees
    • Balancing cost management with offerings employees will value
    • Expanding benefits and increasing access, with a focus on mental health
    • Personalizing benefits by addressing cancer, women’s health issues and offering supplemental health coverage.

    Speakers


    Peter Likouris

    Peter is a Principal in Mercer’s Washington, DC office. Peter has 30 years of experience in the Human Resources field, covering the range of HR functions with specialties in Benefits and HR Technology.  He first joined Mercer in 2004.  In his role as a Relationship Manager, Peter takes time to understand his clients’ goals, helps to shape their strategy and facilitates access to Mercer’s experts and resources.   With a specialty in Health & Benefits, he also advises organizations on all aspects of employee benefits.  His clients have ranged across a wide spectrum of industries including high-tech, non-profit, government contracting, manufacturing and professional services.

    By employing successful cost management strategies, focusing on employee recruitment and retention, incorporating efficient administrative solutions and effectively addressing compliance needs, Peter has supported his clients in their success journeys. Peter has also advised several clients in Merger & Acquisition situations.

    He began his career as an HR Intern for a world-renowned media brand.  Subsequently, he served as a Sales and Service Consultant for a mid-market HRIS developer.  Prior to joining Mercer he led Human Resources for a federal contractor based in the greater Washington, DC area.

    Peter is a graduate of The American University in Washington, DC with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, cum laude.

    Peter lives in McLean, VA with his wife, 10-year old daughter and 8-year old son.  He enjoys cooking, fitness and taking his family to his ancestral homeland, Greece, to visit relatives, experience the culture and reconnect with roots.

    Directions and Parking

    Mercer’s DC office is located at 1050 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC.  It is directly above the Farragut North Metro red line station (Connecticut & L Street “North” Entrance).  Additionally, parking is available underneath the building through the Washington Square Parking garage; entrance accessible on 18th Street (18th is a one way street northbound, for GPS navigation purposes you may enter 1015 18th Street, NW and once passing it, turn right into garage entrance). Early bird (before 10am) rate is $13.  Coffee and breakfast will be provided.


    CEUs

    This SHRM continuing education course qualifies you for 1.5 CEUs toward your recertification. Attendance will be recorded and the code will be emailed to you after the program.

    This WorldatWork continuing education course qualifies you for .25 CEUs toward your recertification. After attending this education program, you will self-report these credits to WaW.


    • May 15, 2024
    • 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
    • Aon, 2001 K Street, NW, Suite 625 North, Washington, DC 20006
    Register

    Event Start

    Networking begins at 8:30 am.  The formal event is from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

    About the Event

    Are you a benefits practitioner?  A compensation practitioner?  Or both?  Come and join WATRA at the Aon Office on May 15th in Washington, DC as we discuss the Future of Total Rewards and the challenges that organizations are facing now and what we foresee in the future.  Jane Kwon an Associate Partner in Total Rewards based in New York and Ruth Ann Looney an Associate Partner in Talent Solutions based in Atlanta, will be presenting the latest market best practices and trends around topics such as:   

    • Considerations for Transforming Your Total Rewards – Design, Delivery, Communication
    • What is On The Minds of Employees?
    • How does Total Rewards have a direct tie to Pay Transparency?

    The Aon offices are located at 2001 K Street, NW, Suite 625 North Washington, DC 20006 is accessible via the Farragut West metro station.  In addition, the garage in the building can be accessed at 2000 L Street or on 20th Street between K &L. Parking rates are listed below:

    • Early Bird (enter before 10:00 am): $16
    • 1 hr: $12
    • Daily Max: $22

    Speakers


    Jane Kwon | Associate Partner | Total Rewards | New York, NY

    Jane is the leader of Aon’s Total Rewards Consulting practice, including Aon’s Total Rewards Benchmark Study of 600 U.S. and global organizations on total rewards priorities and challenges. She helps global clients effectively manage their talent and total rewards. Jane leads large-scale workforce and total rewards-related assignments and aligns leaders and other key stakeholders to make fact-based decisions for their workforce and total rewards. She is a thought leader in the areas of total rewards and employee engagement.

    Jane earned a Bachelor of Science in economics at NYU. She Is a regular speaker at the WorldatWork Conference and has presented at The Conference Board and other national association events.


    Ruth Ann Looney | Associate Partner, Talent Solutions | Atlanta, GA

    Ruth Ann is an associate partner and is an Employee Rewards Practice Leader, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specifically, she leads the health care, higher education, not-for-profit, and public sector industries.

    Ruth Ann has more than 20 years of compensation consulting experience working with numerous companies across multiple industries. Some of the industries to which Ruth Ann has consulted include educational institutions, health care, public sector, foundations, and associations.

    Ruth Ann earned an M.S. in human resource development from the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville. Her graduate thesis research, Spirituality in the Nursing Workplace (predictor of Job Satisfaction), was published in the International Academy of Business Disciplines Business Research Yearbook. She also received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville.

    CEUs

    This SHRM continuing education course qualifies you for 1.5 CEUs toward your recertification. Attendance will be recorded and the code will be provided after the session.

    This WorldatWork continuing education course qualifies you for .25 CEUs toward your recertification. After attending this education program, you will self-report these credits to WaW.

    • June 11, 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

    About the Event

    Please check back. More information about the content is coming soon.

    Speakers

    Ronald Seegers, ChFC, CRPC, Workplace Financial Consultant, Personal and Workplace Investing, Fidelity Investments

    CEUs

    This SHRM continuing education course qualifies you for 1 CEUs toward your recertification. Attendance will be recorded and the code will be provided after the session.

    This WorldatWork continuing education course qualifies you for .25 CEUs toward your recertification. After attending this education program, you will self-report these credits to WaW.


    • August 22, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Family Support & Caregiving Benefits

    About the Event

    Please check back. More information about the content is coming soon.

    Speaker

    Elizabeth Gordon

    CEUs

    This SHRM continuing education course qualifies you for 1.5 CEUs toward your recertification. Attendance will be recorded and the code will be emailed to you after the program.

    This WorldatWork continuing education course qualifies you for .25 CEUs toward your recertification. After attending this education program, you will self-report these credits to WaW.


    • December 05, 2024
    • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • HUB International Office, 8300 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102

    About the Event

    We are excited to wrap up 2024 with an industry happy hour. We can't wait to toast with you the success of the past year 

    Parking Information

    The P4 Parking Deck is located behind the building

    Garage Rates:

    0-2 hrs. ($6.00)

    Daily Max ($13.00)

Past Programs

March 20, 2024 Financial Wellness Strategies: Nurturing Prosperity and Well-being in the Workplace
February 21, 2024 Mastering Hybrid Work: The Compensation Professional's Guide to Boosting Retention, Enhancing Productivity, and Minimizing Costs
January 23, 2024 Leveraging AI in Today’s Total Rewards
December 14, 2023 Holiday Happy Hour
November 15, 2023 Pain Points around New Regulations/Pay Transparency and Leave Plans
October 18, 2023 Current Trends in Compensation Structure Design and Practices
September 21, 2023 M&A and Total Rewards: Achieving Synergy Through Strategic Alignment
September 19, 2023 WaW Affiliates Event: Mini Mastermind: Well-Being Meets AI
August 09, 2023 People Analytics: Understanding Best Practices and How It Can Enhance Your Workforce Strategy
July 13, 2023 Pay Transparency: The Benefits, Challenges, and Legal Requirements
June 21, 2023 The Ultimate Benefits Upgrade! How to Maximize Your Existing Offering and Take Advantage of Recent Exciting Changes
May 17, 2023 Keeping the Momentum on DEI
April 13, 2023 Lifestyle Benefits: How to Use Non-Salary Benefits To Improve The Lives of Employees
March 22, 2023 WaW Affiliates Day: Salary Structure & Compensation Trends
March 09, 2023 Sales Compensation Formula Mysteries Solved!
February 08, 2023 Mental Health Awareness and Education
December 07, 2022 Washington Area Employer Total Rewards Trends
October 20, 2022 Compensation Basics Series: Working with Market Survey
September 14, 2022 The Washington Metropolitan Area Economic Performance and Outlook: Uncertainty, Resilience, Opportunities
June 22, 2022 CHRO's Biggest Reward Challenges of Today
May 24, 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Employee Benefit Plans

WATRA

P.O. Box 4313

Arlington, VA  22204


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