Mental health is no longer just an HR priority, it’s a business imperative.
In Talentfoot’s recent webinar, Camille Fetter (Founder & CEO of Talentfoot Executive Search) sat down with Adam Nemer, the former CFO of Kaiser Permanente and Founder of Simple Mental Health, to explore how leading organizations are rethinking mental health as a driver of performance, retention, and bottom-line results.
This session offered raw insights, actionable frameworks, and a rare CFO’s lens on mental wellbeing in the workplace.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
1. Mental Health Is a Business Strategy, Not Just a Benefit
Adam reminded attendees that the most effective organizations treat mental health as core to business—not a side initiative.
“Mental health is one of the biggest drivers of ROI in today’s workplace. Not because it sounds good—but because it drives better business outcomes.” – Adam Nemer
2. CFOs Need a Financial Narrative—Pair Emotion With Data
To win executive and board-level buy-in, Adam shared how he made the business case for investing in mental health at scale.
“As a CFO, I needed to see the numbers. But numbers alone aren’t enough. You need to pair them with stories that show what happens when we support people—and what happens when we don’t.” – Adam Nemer
His advice: measure the impact through absenteeism, turnover, healthcare claims, and employee engagement. Then, tell a story your board can’t ignore.
3. Building a Culture of Mental Health Starts Small
Camille and Adam discussed easy, high-leverage starting points for any organization—especially those without big budgets.
“Start with what you already have. Train your managers. Model vulnerability. Use the tools that exist in your current benefits before reinventing the wheel.” – Adam Nemer
4. Ignoring Mental Health Has a Hidden Price Tag
One of the most powerful parts of the conversation was Adam’s warning to leaders who continue to deprioritize employee mental health.
“The cost of doing nothing is massive. It’s lower productivity, higher attrition, and worse outcomes across the board. We don’t always see it immediately—but we always feel it eventually.” – Adam Nemer
5. Mental Health Literacy Is Leadership Literacy
Being a modern leader means knowing how to spot warning signs, hold space for employees, and guide them to support.
“Every leader should have a basic mental health toolkit. You don’t need to be a therapist—but you do need to know when someone is struggling and what to do about it.” – Adam Nemer
🎥 Watch the Full Recording
If you missed the live session—or want to revisit Adam’s practical insights—you can watch the full recording here:
