Michael Ehlers
About Michael Ehlers
Michael Ehlers serves as the Vice President of Engineering at Benefitfocus, where he has worked since 2022. With a background in software engineering and leadership roles at various companies, he has successfully implemented strategies to enhance talent retention and improve technical performance.
Work at Benefitfocus
Michael Ehlers serves as the Vice President of Engineering at Benefitfocus, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he has implemented a talent strategy that significantly reduced voluntary attrition by over 70%. He has also delivered a new innovative enrollment experience for Benefitfocus' SaaS-based benefits administration platforms. Under his leadership, the engineering organization has grown to manage over 250 individuals across the US and India. Additionally, he led the engineering team through the acquisition of Benefitfocus by Voya Financial.
Previous Experience
Prior to his current role, Michael Ehlers held several positions at Paylocity. He worked as a Product Team Lead for four months in 2014, and later served as Director of Platform Solutions from 2014 to 2017. He continued at Paylocity as Senior Director of Product and Technology from 2017 to 2022. His experience also includes a brief tenure as Director of Software & Reliability Engineering at the National Geographic Society in 2022. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Software Engineer at Motorola from 1994 to 1996 and at Clear Communications, Inc. from 1998 to 2001.
Education and Expertise
Michael Ehlers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his extensive experience in software engineering and product development. His expertise spans various roles in engineering leadership, product management, and technology strategy across multiple organizations.
Achievements in Engineering
During his tenure at Benefitfocus, Michael Ehlers achieved a 50% reduction in page load times through technical improvements. His leadership in engineering has been marked by significant contributions to product innovation and operational efficiency. His efforts have not only enhanced the user experience but also streamlined engineering processes within the organization.