RRM Design Group works to create environments that people enjoy. This mission sits at the core of every project, from urban design and affordable housing and landscaping, to how it shapes its internal corporate culture. The now 50-year-old company shifted in 2018 to become 100 percent employee-owned, underscoring the investment employees have in its success.

“We are very collaborative and always want to improve,” shared Human Resources Manager Erica Gonzales Hopp. “When it comes to benefits, we constantly want to assess what is most advantageous to employees and how we can improve our offerings.” 

A new year, a new benefits app

Until mid-2023, RRM Design Group worked with Nielson Benefits Group, which has since become part of Nava. “The transition was seamless,” Hopp said. “We have the same level of service, but now with extra support, resources, and technology from Nava.”

“The Nava team felt like an extension of our team — a support to us, and a voice to the carriers for us. We’re very happy with the level of service from Nava.”

The company also adopted the Nava Benefits App in early 2024. “Our employees have found it pretty cool to have access to their benefits and plan information available in the palm of their hand,” she said. “They have their information when it’s needed, whether at the doctor’s office or whenever they have a question.”

Challenging employees to embrace well-being year-round

Throughout the rest of the year, Hopp partners with her Nava team for extra support bringing the company’s wellness program to life. Together they’ve created a calendar of events that include a series of challenges — “We love running challenges!” Hopp shared. These include goal-setting around staying hydrated, eating healthy, and meeting daily step thresholds.  

“Nava helped us plan further ahead and create structure around the wellness program. We tackled this as best as we could before, but the goal was to create an ongoing cycle of activities.”

- Erica Gonzales Hopp, HR Manager

RRM Group even ran a challenge to encourage downloading the Nava Benefits App, although app adoption was an easy sell. “Our employees are excited to see how we can make benefits easier for them,” Hopp shared. “Benefits are a confusing topic, so anything we can do to make it simpler is helpful. The Nava Benefits App is an avenue for that.”

A benefits partnership by design

Hopp also appreciates extra touches from Nava, like providing a survey for her team to modify and send to employees to better understand what future enhancements they’d like in their benefits plans. “The Nava team is always ready to jump in and provide us with anything they have,” she said. “We don’t have to start from scratch. Now when my team comes to me with questions, I check with Nava to see if there's a base template or a resource to get us started.”

RRM Design Group likes to plan early for renewals each year — a preference they share with Nava. Before the end of April, Hopp’s team already had a preliminary meeting about the upcoming cycle. 

“The Nava team is fully invested and engaged,” she said. “They know where we’re coming from, what’s important to our employees, and how we might react to our options. I feel very confident going forward. We have a solid team with Nava and feel like we share a similar mentality. That’s what makes this partnership work so well.”