Sheryl LeAnn Perkins, DHA, will join UAB Human Resources as assistant vice president for Benefits & Wellbeing, effective May 6, 2024.
The role of assistant vice president for Benefits & Wellbeing brings the Benefits, Employee Assistance & Counseling Center and Employee Wellness teams together into a unified area, Chief Human Resources Officer Janet May explains.
“This reinforces their existing partnership to provide UAB faculty and staff with comprehensive benefits and wellbeing support,” May said. “LeAnn's expertise in fostering collaboration among diverse groups will further enhance their effectiveness.”
Perkins has more than 25 years of experience planning and overseeing employee benefits programs, most recently as associate vice president for Benefits at the Arkansas State University System, where she oversaw the system's $10 million self-insured health plan fund. While managing the benefit and retirement programs for the system, she was committed to keeping the benefits package competitive and affordable to employees and institutions. Additionally, she ensured compliance with federal regulations, oversaw annual enrollment processes, and developed new benefits programs while driving the establishment and execution of organizational objectives, policies and protocols.
Perkins earned an MBA with an emphasis in health administration from William Woods University in Missouri, a master's degree in public health from AT Still University in Missouri, and a doctorate in health administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
May is excited to welcome Perkins to the UAB Human Resources leadership team next month.
“LeAnn’s wealth of experience in benefits management within the university system office, coupled with her exceptional leadership abilities, positions her perfectly for this role,” May said. “We eagerly anticipate her contributions to the ongoing success of our Benefits and Wellbeing team.”
The search was conducted by LeadExec’s CEO Lisa Marks, who brought forth candidates from across the nation, and the search committee was chaired by LaShell Cameron, executive director for Administration & Finance in the Provost office.
“The committee’s dedication to helping us select the ideal candidate to fulfill this pivotal role was an invaluable contribution,” said May.
