Corporate Wellness Magazine sat down with Janelle Mills-Lawrence, a passionate wellness leader and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist (CCWS), to discuss her inspiring journey in workplace wellness and the remarkable success of the Level Up Employee Wellness Program. With a focus on balance, resilience, and empowerment, Janelle shares how her approach to well-being has transformed both her personal life and her organization’s culture.
CWM: Janelle, how do you define well-being, and how has it shaped your personal wellness journey?
Janelle Mills-Lawrence: Well-being is the cornerstone of my personal wellness journey, as it integrates physical, mental, and emotional health to create balance and resilience in my life, which aligns with achieving optimal performance both at home and at work. It is the foundation of my success, fulfillment, and sustainability of empowering others to elevate their total well-being.
CWM: December marked a major milestone for your organization’s wellness program. Can you tell us more about that achievement?
Janelle Mills-Lawrence: This December marked the five-year anniversary of our Level Up Employee Wellness Program. I am incredibly proud and honored to have been a part of launching this program, and it’s been a remarkable journey seeing it grow and evolve over the years.
From its inception, Level Up was designed with a vision to enhance our workplace wellness and create a supportive environment where every individual can thrive. The importance of wellness programs in the workplace cannot be overstated. They are essential in fostering a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress, and improving overall job satisfaction and productivity.
CWM: What makes the Level Up program so impactful within your organization?
Janelle Mills-Lawrence: Our program has grown beyond what we could have imagined. We’ve introduced new features, embraced innovative approaches, and, most importantly, have adapted to meet the evolving needs of our employees.
The success of Level Up is a testament to the collective effort and commitment of everyone involved—our leadership, our Wellness Champions, our dedicated vendors, and each member of our workforce who participates and engages with the program.
CWM: How has earning the CCWS certification influenced your approach to wellness leadership?
Janelle Mills-Lawrence: Having the CCWS certification equips me with the tools, strategies, and evidence-based knowledge to continue to design impactful wellness initiatives. The most significant benefit of this wellness certification is the ability to influence, inspire, and empower the workforce to thrive.
CWM: Why do you believe wellness programs are vital for employers today?
Janelle Mills-Lawrence: In today's competitive landscape, integrating wellness programs is no longer optional—it is a strategic imperative for employers seeking to build resilient, high-performing teams while demonstrating care for their most valuable asset: their people.
Wellness programs are essential because they address the holistic health of the workforce, directly impacting organizational performance and culture. The most effective wellness programs are those that create a sense of community and empowerment, showing employees they are truly valued and supported in every aspect of their lives.
