In this interview, we chat with Kara, the Director of Corporate Culture and Retention at Kalahari Resorts who has been named the HR Leader of the Year In the Ragan Workplace Wellness Awards. Kara shares her personal journey and the company's vision behind Be Well, a program designed to empower employee wellness.
Hi Kara, thanks for joining us today. We’re excited to learn more about your work at Kalahari Resorts and your nomination for the Ragan Wellness Awards!
Thanks for having me! I'm thrilled to share more about our Be Well program and its impact on our amazing associates at Kalahari.
Can you tell us a bit about your role as Director of Corporate Culture and Retention, and what initially sparked your passion for employee wellness?
Sure! As Director of Corporate Culture and Retention at Kalahari Resorts, I wear many hats. My primary focus revolves around our associates' well-being and ensuring they thrive in their roles. This entails overseeing numerous people-centric initiatives, including benefits, wellness programs, and internal communications.
In 2021, together with my supervisor Traci and our owner Travis, we recognized the importance of prioritizing associate wellness. Coincidentally, this was around the time I embarked on my own wellness journey, which fueled my dedication to enhancing our programs to meet the diverse needs of our team members.
It sounds like there's a really personal connection there. Could you elaborate on how your personal wellness journey influenced the direction and development of Kalahari Resorts' wellness initiative?
Certainly! My personal wellness journey has had a profound impact on the direction and development of Kalahari Resorts' wellness initiatives. As I embarked on my own path towards well-being, I gained invaluable insights into the importance of holistic approaches to wellness. This journey sparked the inspiration behind the creation of the Be Well program.
Could you tell us a bit more about the Be Well program?
Well, we launched the Be Well: A Kalahari Wellness Program in January 2022. This comprehensive program introduced various new offerings such as Wellness Days, additional paid time off, spa vouchers, counseling services, and partnerships with fitness facilities. Each component was meticulously crafted to address different dimensions of well-being, ensuring a holistic approach to our associates' health.
Our overarching goal was to empower our associates with the resources and support necessary to thrive both personally and professionally. By offering a range of benefits and services, we aimed to cultivate a culture of well-being and self-care across Kalahari Resorts, ensuring that every individual feels valued and supported in their wellness journey.
What are the key objectives of the Be Well initiative that you've developed, Kara?
Well, the Be Well initiative is really all about looking after our team in a holistic way. So, first and foremost, I wanted to make sure it covered everything from physical health to mental well-being, career growth, communication skills, financial fitness, and finding that all-important work-life balance.
Then, I wanted to make sure everyone knew about it and felt excited to get involved. So, I focused on creating a communication strategy that would keep everyone informed and eager to participate.
But it's not just about talking the talk, you know? I really wanted to make a difference. So, we made sure to spread the word about wellness events and activities. And of course, we wanted to be there for our associates when times got tough. That's why we set up the Kalahari Cares Assistance Fund, to provide support when it's needed most.
Kara, could you elaborate on the strategies you and your team implemented to achieve the goals of the Be Well initiative?
Of course! We prioritized a holistic approach, starting with integrating wellness resources and event updates into the MyKalahari app, developed by Speakap, of course, for easy access. Hosting diverse wellness events, like "Wellness Month," encouraged participation and engagement. Leveraging the app, we raised awareness about the Kalahari Cares Fund, ensuring support for associates in need. Additionally, we celebrated wellness achievements with monthly luncheons and ongoing incentives. Our goal was to create a culture where associates felt empowered to prioritize their well-being in various aspects of life—physically, mentally, and beyond.
That sounds amazing. What do Kalahari Resorts employees think of the Be Well initiative?
Well, our team has received some fantastic feedback from our employees about the Be Well initiative. One employee mentioned, "I have been part of Kalahari just long enough to have experienced a time before the wellness program was up and running and now that the program is active and I am so very thankful for all the opportunities the wellness program brings to all us at Kalahari." Another expressed, "The wellness program has such an impact on my self-awareness of my health. It's so important to take timeout from the hustle and grind of work." Additionally, one employee highlighted, "I think that our Be Well program is what makes us stand out from other employers. I love the wellness days, but most of all, I enjoy all the wellness educational sessions that are offered at the resort." It's incredibly rewarding to see such positive responses and know that our efforts are truly making a difference in our employees' lives.
Thank you so much and again congratulations on the award, as well as the success of the wellness initiative at Kalahari! To close off, what would you like to share with others to inspire them and their leaders to invest in employee wellbeing?
In today’s workforce, employee wellbeing must be a priority. Employees today look to their workplace for not only support in their careers, but also in their lives outside of work. When the organization they work for cares enough to provide wellness resources and support, employees have more opportunities to try new things to improve their physical, mental, financial, career, and personal lives. Ultimately, those who improve their wellbeing will become better employees, friends, family members, neighbors and community members.
P.S. In a recent webinar, Kara Ruchti and Daren Jennings, CCO at Speakap, discussed how Kalahari boosted employee wellbeing and wellness through internal communication in more depth. Take a look at the webinar recording below!