Willie Nickel

Willie Nickel is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in employee benefits, strategic design, and administration. Currently serving as Senior Director of Benefits at Transamerica since 2025, Willie leads initiatives focused on innovation and employee experience while aligning benefit strategies with business goals to enhance talent attraction and retention. Previously, as Head of Global Health & Well-being at Kenvue in 2023, Willie developed a comprehensive strategy for global benefit programs following the company's separation from Johnson & Johnson. During the tenure at Johnson & Johnson from 2019 to 2022, Willie managed the global retirement and severance plans, ensuring compliance and strategic efficiency. Additionally, Willie spent 18 years at WTW, first as the Pension Administration Group National Sales Leader and then as a Senior Actuarial Consultant, providing strategic guidance to clients and managing large retirement plans. Education includes a Master of Science in Mathematics from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Chemistry from Rhodes College.