FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) has formally joined the Wellness Alliance, allowing WCWI’s mission, programs and professional community to continue within a broader national organization dedicated to advancing well-being for individuals, workplaces and communities.
“We’re thrilled to welcome WCWI into the Wellness Alliance community,” said Ryan Picarella, Executive Director of the Wellness Alliance. “For years, WCWI has played a vital role in advancing wellness across Wisconsin. By bringing our organizations together, we’re strengthening our shared commitment to expanding impact, elevating expertise and fostering a world where every person thrives."
The Wellness Alliance works to advance the health and wellness of individuals, workplaces and communities through education and certification programs, resources and evidence-informed wellness frameworks. The organization was formed when two of the most recognized and influential professional associations in the wellness industry merged: The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and the National Wellness Institute (NWI).
“This is an exciting step for our members and the Wellness Alliance community,” said Mark Campbell, Chair of the Wellness Alliance Board. “By welcoming the Wellness Council of Wisconsin into the Wellness Alliance, we’re expanding the resources, expertise and connections available to our community. Members will benefit from a stronger network of peers; more shared knowledge; and greater opportunities to learn, grow and advance workplace well-being together.”
Since the mid-1980s, WCWI has been helping employers design results-oriented strategies that maximize the health and well-being of their employees. WCWI empowers Wisconsin organizations to create and sustain meaningful workplace wellness strategies through education, strategic support and impactful partnerships.
“For more than 40 years, WCWI has been the go-to for workplace well-being in Wisconsin, serving as a trusted resource for a community of professionals dedicated to putting people first,” said WCWI Board President Eric Ziarek. “Joining the Wellness Alliance is a natural evolution of that legacy. It gives us the opportunity to share the local leadership and connection that has defined well-being in Wisconsin on a national stage, while directly enhancing our members' experience with expanded benefits and professional connections. We are bringing the best of national innovation back to the community we’ve built right here in Wisconsin.”
Supporting this next phase of growth, WCWI Executive Director Carley Hoelzel has transitioned into the role of Associate Executive Director at the Wellness Alliance. In this position, she will help lead the integration of WCWI members and services, oversee Wisconsin-based initiatives and contribute to advancing the Wellness Alliance’s strategic priorities and continued growth.
Together, the Wellness Alliance and WCWI are building on a shared legacy of supporting workplace well-being while creating new opportunities for connection, learning and impact. The organizations are stronger together, bolstering the wellness profession and offering support to individuals, workplaces and communities.
About the Wellness Alliance: The Wellness Alliance unites the strengths of two influential professional associations in the wellness industry, the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and the National Wellness Institute (NWI). Both organizations have a long history of leading the charge in individual and workplace wellness education, harnessing more than 80 years of combined resources and solutions. Through its education and certification programs, evidence-informed resources, and networking opportunities, the Wellness Alliance elevates and empowers professionals so they may positively impact the health and well-being of individuals, workplaces and communities. The Wellness Alliance is an affiliate of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. For additional information, visit www.wellnessalliance.org.
About the Wellness Council of Wisconsin:
The Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) is the trusted resource and advocate for employee well-being in Wisconsin. We empower organizations to create and sustain meaningful workplace wellness strategies through education, strategic support, and impactful partnerships. As a professional development and networking hub, WCWI connects employers committed to prioritizing workforce well-being, fostering healthier, more resilient workplaces across the state.
