Well-being Innovators Network

At Boulder, the Well-being Innovators Network (WIN) empowers faculty and staff to lead meaningful workplace wellness efforts across their units, building a culture of care through innovation, collaboration and connection.

Jess Doty and Janel Forde, posing with Chip at the 2025 Health and Wellness summit

Program Objectives

The Well-being Innovators Network (WIN) supports a culture of well-being for Boulder faculty and staff. Sponsored by Employee Health and Well-Being, WIN Innovators support and promote workplace well-being by:

  • Serving as a liaison between Employee Health and Well-Being and their department/unit to raise awareness of campus offerings
  • Encouraging and motivating colleagues within their department/unit to utilize campus programs, services, and resources
  • Modeling how to prioritize well-being and work-life harmony for their department/unit

Program Vision

The Well-being Innovators Network draws upon the "4 Cs of Innovation” to leverage the roles of various employee groups on the Boulder campus and positively impact the drivers of workplace well-being within higher education.

Context

WIN innovates workplace well-being within higher education by:

  • Positioning workplace well-being as a core component of organizational success and academic excellence
  • Supporting well-being initiatives that are responsive to the culture of innovators’ campus units and informed by the feedback they receive from colleagues
  • Ensuring workplace well-being efforts reflect and reinforce the institution’s culture of care, inclusion and belonging
  • Working with campus stakeholders to evaluate effectiveness and ensure alignment with campus priorities

WIN’s values and beliefs support innovation in workplace well-being through:

  • Promoting psychological safety, contributing to a sense of belonging among faculty and staff
  • Innovators’ modeling curiosity and a growth mindset in well-being initiatives and organizational practices
  • Empowering teams and leaders to act as co-creators of well-being solutions, reinforcing shared ownership across the institution
  • Integrating well-being and innovation principles into leadership development and team-building initiatives

Innovators develop capacity, knowledge, and tools related to workplace well-being through:

  • Learning from internal and external experts to receive evidence-based resources and skill building opportunities related to workplace well-being
  • Advocating for all employees—regardless of role or level—to have equitable access to training and well-being resources
  • Developing pathways for employees to propose and prototype well-being ideas aligned with institutional goals
  • Fostering communities of practice where Well-being Innovators can share ideas, challenges and success stories

As the primary liaison between departments and Employee Health and Well-being, WIN raises awareness and utilization of workplace well-being resources by:

  • Networking and cultivating strong relationships across departments to foster collaboration on well-being initiatives
  • Communicating timely and relevant information about campus well-being programs, events and resources to colleagues
  • Facilitate campus-wide dialogues and storytelling that celebrate well-being successes and lessons learned
  • Encouraging departmental participation in well-being campaigns, challenges or recognition programs
  • Sharing successful departmental practices that can be scaled or adapted across campus

Two women looking at a booth and holding full bags at the 2025 Health and Wellness Fair
Three women carrying full bags and smiling at the Health and Wellness summit

Role and Responsibilities

Through the Well-being Innovators Network, Innovators take on key responsibilities that support a healthier, more connected campus community. These include:

Communicate
  • Liaising between your unit/department and Employee Health and Well-Being, sharing timely and relevant information about campus well-being programs, events and resources
  • Promoting wellness activities and resources with your unit/department
  • Utilizing the private Well-being Innovators’ Network Teams channel
  • Serving as a visible and approachable leader to all levels and roles
Engage
  • Completing the Well-being Innovators’ orientation program
  • Participating in and promoting campus well-being activities, programs and events
  • Attending exclusive WIN events, including luncheons, quarterly webinars, etc.
  • Promoting the Workplace Well-being Microgrants program
Collaborate
  • Cultivating relationships within your department/unit and across campus
  • Networking and sharing insights with co-innovators
  • Providing feedback to EHWB regarding employee needs and interests
  • Promoting the Chancellor's Employee Well-being Awards

Well-being Innovators commit to a minimum of 2 hours per month for a one-year term

Become a Well-being Innovator

Applications for the 2026 Well-being Innovators cohort are now open! Boulder faculty and staff from every college, school and operating unit are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is Thursday, January 22, 2026.