GHD hires Mary Zwick as global wellbeing leader

GHD, a design and engineering consulting firm, has hired Mary Zwick as global wellbeing leader. She is based in Houston.

In the newly created role, Zwick will be responsible for “developing, promoting, and embedding a culture supportive of employee wellbeing,” according to a press release from the Sydney-headquartered company. She will oversee the firm’s wellbeing program as the firm’s 10,000-person global workforce shifts back to the office environment.

GHD launched its wellbeing program in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic took a toll on the mental health of remote professionals as they faced isolation, anxiety, heavier workloads, and increased parental challenges. Many companies launched wellbeing programs or enhanced their existing programs to combat burnout, absenteeism, and resignation.

Wellbeing programs can take various forms depending on the resources and commitment of the organization. Some firms will offer additional insurance benefits for preventive healthcare, mental health, and fitness, with variability in the generosity of such packages. Some will also provide in-office yoga programs, office gyms, and wellbeing apps to boost awareness and engagement with the company’s wellbeing benefits.

GHD hires Mary Zwick as global wellbeing leader

“The pandemic has shown how important it is for employers to support the personal and professional wellbeing of our people,” said Jan Sipsma, chief people officer of GHD. “This senior role reflects the importance GHD puts on wellbeing to help our employees better manage their physical and mental health. Mary has the experience and drive to lead the evolution of our program as we take the next steps towards helping our employees manage their work-life balance.”

Zwick joins GHD from EHE Health, a provider of preventive healthcare services to corporate clients, where she was a wellbeing program manager. Before that, she was director of healthy living at YMCA Houston and an operations manager at EXOS, a provider of fitness and wellness programs to private and public sector organizations. Earlier in her career, Zwick was a personal trainer.

She holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University.

“Prioritizing wellbeing will have a positive return on the organization’s performance, labor-related costs, and output — including innovation, client experience, and quality of our products and services,” Zwick said.

GHD delivers architecture, engineering, construction, and advisory services in the areas of water, energy, environment, buildings, and transportation.

The firm earlier this year named Ted Whiton as leader of its US business, which has more than 1,800 employees.

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