#184 - Growth Opportunities... The Future of Total Rewards

In Episode 184 of The ASHHRA Podcast, host Luke Carignan sits down with Amanda Ellis, Vice President of Total Rewards at SSM Health, for an inspiring conversation about her dynamic HR journey and innovative approach to total rewards. 

Amanda shares her story, from her Florida Gator roots to marrying her high school sweetheart and raising a family while climbing the HR ladder. Starting with an internship in Gainesville, she navigated talent acquisition, benefits, and compensation, leading to director roles at AdventHealth and Adventist Health before joining SSM Health. 

Her career thrives on mentorship and connections, forged through events like the ASHHRA Executive Summit, where she encourages HR pros to build lasting industry relationships. Amanda’s total rewards philosophy centers on transparency and education, empowering caregivers to understand their compensation, benefits, and retirement plans so they can focus on patient care. 

She tackles challenges like wage compression and multi-state benefits complexities with a strategic, analytics-driven mindset, advocating for multiyear plans to strengthen offerings. Beyond perks like pizza parties, Amanda’s engagement surveys reveal employees crave growth opportunities over raises, prompting leaders to redefine career development. Trust and collaboration are her leadership cornerstones, driving her rapid rise and impact. 

Amanda and Luke brainstorm future conference ideas, like a rapid-fire panel on real HR scenarios—let us know if you want this at ASHHRA 2026 in Savannah! 

A must-listen for HR leaders seeking actionable strategies to elevate total rewards and employee well-being.