Event
Session 2: May 14, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 PM (CT)
Topic: Dental insurance benefits innovation
Differentiating plan design through emerging benefit structures and implementation considerations.
Recommended Job Areas: Product Development, Product Strategy, Actuarial, Underwriting, Network Strategy, Sales and Account Management, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Operations
Jill Purcell
Head of Dental and Vision Product and Network Management
Guardian Life
Jill has been in the group insurance industry for 17 years and has been with Guardian, leading the dental product since 2019. She currently leads the Dental and Vision Product team as well as the Network Management team responsible for ensuring Guardian’s products remain profitable while ensuring innovation and member experience are at the forefront.
Mark Burkhard, MBA
National Dental & Vision Practice Leader
Willis Towers Watson
Mark Burkhard, MBA, is a highly accomplished professional who, since July 2018, serves as the National Dental & Vision Practice Leader at Willis Towers Watson. With an extensive 36-year career, Mark specializes in providing expert consultation on group dental and vision plans, supporting the firm’s efforts to advise its largest clients in the Health and Benefits line of business. In his current role, Mark excels at evaluating and recommending dental and vision plans on a national scale, emphasizing the value of quality benefits within an employer’s overall package to enhance employee well-being. Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Mark held leadership positions at major insurers, including CIGNA Dental, Humana Dental, MetLife, and Aetna Dental & Vision, where he led the dental and vision National Accounts growth team. As the leader of Dental and Vision vendor relations at Willis Towers Watson, Mark maintains strong connections with the leadership teams of major national and regional carriers. He actively engages with industry organizations like the National Association of Dental Plans and the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, providing crucial insights into market trends. Mark’s expertise spans provider contracting, plan evaluation and modernization, clinical integration, and financial analysis and negotiation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in New York and holds an MBA from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. Currently residing in Valencia, California, with his wife and two children, Mark is a distinguished consultant, bringing unparalleled insight to the dynamic field of dental and vision benefits.
Consortium Session #2 Sponsorship Available!
Are you looking to elevate your brand and engage with key industry decision-makers? Sponsorship opportunities are now available!
