Introducing the Wellness Alliance

National Wellness Institute and Wellness Council of America Merge to Form New Organization 

Brookfield, Wisconsin | March 3, 2025—Two of the most recognized and influential professional associations in the wellness industry, the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and the National Wellness Institute (NWI), have officially merged to form the Wellness Alliance.  

With a long history of thought leadership in both individual and workplace wellness education and resources, NWI’s and WELCOA’s strengths will be united through the Wellness Alliance. The wellness community will benefit from a combined 84 years of resources and solutions to educate and empower professionals and organizations alike.

One of the nation’s most respected resources for building high-performing, healthy workplaces, WELCOA has helped countless business and health professionals improve employee well-being and create healthier organizational cultures. NWI has been the leader in providing professional development and engagement opportunities that support individuals from a variety of disciplines in promoting whole-person wellness.

“The Wellness Alliance takes the best from two organizations that have long led the charge in both individual and workplace wellness education and resources," said Ryan Picarella, Wellness Alliance Executive Director. "We are excited to continue bringing added value to the dedicated, passionate professionals we serve in our pursuit of improving workplace culture, employee experience, and whole-person wellness."

Through its comprehensive education and certification programs and a proven process to help foster healthier workplace cultures, the Wellness Alliance seeks to elevate and empower professionals so they may positively impact the well-being of individuals and communities. In producing education that helps inform decisions for its membership of health professionals, wellness practitioners, and others who work to improve the well-being of others, the Wellness Alliance is able to positively impact thousands of lives each day. 

The Wellness Alliance is an affiliate of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Collectively, the International Foundation and the Wellness Alliance will more broadly serve the diverse community of professionals who influence and shape the well-being of individuals and workplaces. Connecting the wellness and employee benefits industries provides a unique opportunity to bring meaningful change to millions of people through education and a wealth of combined services. 

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About the Wellness Alliance: The Wellness Alliance unites the strengths of two influential professional associations in the wellness industry, the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and the National Wellness Institute (NWI). The Wellness Alliance supports wellness for individuals and workplaces through trusted education and certification programs, evidence-informed resources, and networking opportunities, empowering professionals to positively impact well-being. As part of this, the Wellness Alliance is proud to offer the gold-standard Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) certification, created to recognize an individual’s wellness promotion competence. The Wellness Alliance also produces the Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference and the Annual Wellness Summit. For additional information, visit www.wellnessalliance.org. 

About the International Foundation: The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is the premier educational organization dedicated to providing the diverse employee benefits community with objective, solution-oriented education, research and information to ensure the health and financial security of plan beneficiaries worldwide. The International Foundation has more than 31,000 multiemployer, corporate, and public sector members representing over 25 million lives. For additional information, visit www.ifebp.org.