Braden is a nationally recognized expert in the group employee benefits arena. She began her benefits insurance career in 1994, and in 2002 founded Braden Benefit Strategies, Inc. The company grew quickly, and Braden was soon recognized by The National Association of Health Underwriters as one of the top 1% of Health Insurance Agents in the nation.
Under Braden’s leadership, the company has added consulting services for businesses interested in the new ICHRA, ACA, and/or DOL compliance, strategic financial benefit planning, and ACA employee education.
Braden recently published a book available on Amazon, The CEO’s Guide to Buying Health Insurance. Written in an easy-to-understand language, the book has been praised as an excellent resource for business owners of small to medium size companies.
Braden has represented small businesses on Capitol Hill testifying before a House Committee in 2011 regarding the “Cost of PPACA Implementation to Small Businesses,” and in 2004, on “The Benefits of Health Savings Accounts.” The company has been a recognized leader in ACA education, working to correct the rampant misunderstanding of employer requirements, identifying potential ACA financial liability, and crafting long-term financial strategies for clients.
In 2012, Braden, together with Al Schiebel and Erica Dumpel, created GA Health Agents Agency (GHAA), a collaboration of premier employee benefit agency owners. Today, GHAA has 7 partnerships within the consortium. In 2019, GHAA / Braden Benefit Strategies, Inc. affiliated with NFP which is the 8th largest insurance agency in the U.S.
Braden continues to bring her forward-thinking vision to new endeavors. She recently partnered with Wanda Shaw to create and launch Franchise Benefit Solutions, a General Agency created to work with the franchise industry to design and manage sustainable health insurance benefit programs.
Braden’s knowledge, reputation, humor, and passion for small business and employee benefit planning have made her a sought-after speaker, commentator, and writer.
Prior to her entrance into the benefits arena, Braden held management positions at Johnson & Johnson, McNeil Consumer Products, Borden Foods, and the Pillsbury Company. Braden received her undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University, her CBC from the National Association of Alternative Benefit Consultants (NAABC) and ACA certification from NAHU.