The Beat Beyond Wellness: John Harrison on How WebMD Is Building Cultures of Holistic Well-Being
About John Harrison:
John Harrison is a seasoned digital marketing and client experience leader with over 20 years of experience shaping innovative brand, product, and business strategies. As president and general manager at WebMD Health Services, he leads initiatives that help organizations build cultures of well-being, improving health and happiness across millions of lives.
Known for his blend of creative vision and operational discipline, John has led high-performing teams at companies such as WebMD, Webtrends, and Yesmail Interactive, delivering measurable growth and client success for Fortune 1000 organizations. His expertise spans customer experience leadership, P&L management, M&A strategy, and organizational development.
Based in Portland, Oregon, John is recognized for his ability to inspire teams, navigate change with clarity, and translate complex business challenges into purposeful, people-centered solutions. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Oregon, a background that fuels his strong communication and leadership style.
Things You’ll Learn:
- Holistic well-being replaces generic wellness by integrating digital tools with human services to enhance overall well-being. This approach personalizes support to each employee’s goals, risks, and life context.
- Partnerships and interoperability are crucial because employees require a seamless experience. Disjointed handoffs create gaps that cause people to disengage.
- Leadership advocacy and employee champion networks turn initiatives into culture. When leaders participate in and communicate effectively, programs earn trust and adoption.
- Outcomes, not optics, define success. Measuring year-over-year health risk reduction and cost impact separates true results from “check the box” efforts.
- The next leap is AI plus people working in sync. Timely digital nudges paired with human guidance unlock personalization and reach at scale.
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