WellLink Named 11th Best Place to Work in Ohio

WellLink has been named No. 11 in Crain’s Cleveland Business’ 2026 Best Places to Work in Ohio rankings, placing the organization among the state’s leading employers and earning recognition for a workplace culture shaped by both organizational practices and the experiences of its employees.

The Best Places to Work in Ohio program spans a broad range of industries, from financial services, insurance and accounting to law, technology, engineering, manufacturing, construction and healthcare. While it examines workplace programs and benefits, its methodology leans heavily on direct feedback from employees.

For WellLink, the No. 11 ranking represents more than an award. It validates the organization’s ongoing transformation and its commitment to building a workplace where talented people can do meaningful work, grow professionally and contribute to improving healthcare.

“Being recognized as the 11th Best Place to Work in Ohio is an extraordinary reflection of our people,” said WellLink President & CEO Brian G. Lane. “Culture is not something leadership creates by itself. It is something our entire organization creates together every day. This recognition tells us that our employees see and feel the investments we have made in our people, our culture and our mission.”

WellLink Chief People Officer Lesley Forneris said the recognition reinforces the organization's belief that an exceptional workplace must be built with purpose.

“A great workplace doesn't happen by accident. It is built through intentional leadership, listening to our employees and creating an environment where people feel valued, respected, supported and empowered to do their best work,” said Forneris. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects the voices and experiences of our employees. They are the ones who bring our culture to life every day, and this recognition is a reflection of their commitment, their passion and the community we have built together.”

WellLink's recognition also comes as the organization continues to evolve beyond its traditional role as a healthcare association and group purchasing organization into a broader healthcare platform serving organizations across the continuum of care.

That transformation requires more than a strong business strategy. It requires an organization capable of attracting, developing and retaining exceptional talent.

“As WellLink continues to expand nationally and build new capabilities across healthcare, our culture becomes one of our greatest competitive advantages,” Lane said. “The technology, partnerships, purchasing capabilities and strategic opportunities are important, but ultimately, people are what make all of those things possible.”

The 2026 recognition builds upon a sustained record of workplace excellence for WellLink. The organization has received repeated recognition from Crain's Cleveland Business, The Plain Dealer, Great Place to Work and other national and regional organizations. In 2024, The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS—now WellLink—were recognized among Fortune's Best Workplaces in Health Care, ranking in the top 50 nationally. In 2025, WellLink received five additional national and regional workplace honors.

For WellLink, the No. 11 ranking is therefore both a celebration and a challenge to continue building an organization capable of matching its ambitions.

“We are building something much bigger than an organization,” Lane said. “We are building a healthcare platform with a national purpose. If we want to change healthcare, we have to create a workplace where people want to be part of that change. This recognition tells us we are moving in the right direction.”

Forneris added that the organization’s culture will become even more important as WellLink grows.

“Growth gives us an opportunity to expand our impact, but it also gives us a responsibility to protect what makes WellLink special,” Forneris said. “As we grow, we want every employee, whether they have been with us for decades or are just joining our organization, to understand that they are an important part of our story and our future. Our goal is not simply to be recognized as a great place to work. Our goal is to build a workplace that continues to earn that distinction every day.”