Straight Talk with Health Strategists

From Our CEO: A Personal Message + Pharmacy Benefits 

Yesterday, we shared an important announcement about the future of our organization. Beginning in January 2026, our Chief Strategy Officer, Adrienne Williams Laborwit, will become CEO, succeeding her father, our current CEO, Mark Williams, RPh. 

We invite you to read the full press release on PR Newswire for the official details. 

In this special edition of Straight Talk, Mark shares a personal message reflecting on the transition, the legacy of leadership, and what it means for the future of Health Strategists. 

As I prepare to step down as CEO this January, I’ve been reflecting on the path that brought me here and the purpose that’s guided our family’s work in pharmacy for generations. Through it all, one thing has remained clear: the health care system too often falls short. 

As a fourth-generation pharmacist, I began my career behind the counter, face-to-face with the people the system was failing. I saw how often patients felt lost, overwhelmed, and unsupported, especially when they needed help the most. That experience shaped everything I’ve done since. It pushed me to think beyond the walls of the pharmacy and ask how we could create change at a larger scale. That’s what led to the founding of True Rx Health Strategists. From the beginning, our mission has been to empower both patients and employers to thrive by delivering not just better outcomes, but better experiences. 

One study describes pharmacists as “the most accessible, reliable, and frequently visited providers of health care.” That line has stayed with me, because it speaks to where pharmacy truly sits in the real lives of people. It’s where many employees first encounter their benefits. It’s where confusion, if left unchecked, can turn into frustration. And it’s where a human, thoughtful response can change everything. 

I’m proud to share that my daughter, Adrienne Williams LaBorwit, currently Chief Strategy Officer, will be stepping into the CEO role next year. Watching her grow into this work, with the same fire to challenge what’s broken and build what’s better, has been one of the great honors of my life. She shares our family’s belief that pharmacy must be personal, human, and rooted in compassion. She’s ready to carry forward our mission, deliver the True Experience in every interaction, and change the world of health care. 

I’m also pleased to share that Jesse McDonald, PharmD, will become President. As a trained pharmacist and founding team member, Jesse has helped shape our culture from the start. In this newly created role, he’ll continue to lead with the same care and conviction, strengthening our clinical strategy and delivering meaningful, lasting value for our clients. 

The goal has always been simple: to help people feel supported in the moments that matter most. Because when people feel cared for in those critical moments, benefits stop being a line item and become a trusted part of their lives. 

That’s why this work matters. And that’s why we keep going. 

Mark 

INSIGHTS

Why Pharmacy Deserves a Front-Row Seat at Open Enrollment 

Pharmacy is where employees engage with their benefits most often. In fact, people visit their community pharmacist 12 times more often than their primary care provider. 

So why does pharmacy still come last in so many Open Enrollment conversations? 

This article shares three experience-first strategies to help bring pharmacy forward and create a better benefits experience for everyone. 

Read on to discover ways to make pharmacy a proactive part of Open Enrollment.

CLICK-WORTHY RESOURCES

Case Study: Large University Strategic Pharmacy Benefit Carve-Out 

When a large university separated its pharmacy benefits from the medical plan, it unlocked a smarter, more integrated model, combining clinical support, deeper collaboration, and financial strategy. This case study highlights what's possible with strategic pharmacy benefit management, including over $1 million in savings. 

Watch: Mark Cuban Joins the Conversation on Cutting through PBM Confusion 

Looking for clarity in the complex world of PBMs? PBMs Unmasked breaks down how to evaluate, compare, and contract with confidence. Hear from Mark Cuban and a panel of industry experts as they expose what’s broken in the PBM model—and what needs to change. Recorded live at the NABIP Annual Convention. 

Read: Nearly 2/3 of Employers Plan to Reallocate Benefits Spending Amid Rising Costs 

With rising costs and economic uncertainty, employers are rethinking their benefits strategy, focusing on value, personalization, and smarter spending. Learn how companies are shifting from broad expansion to targeted investment to drive retention, wellbeing, and ROI.

EVENTS NOT TO MISS

Health RosettaFest: August 24-27 | Denver, CO Learn More

PBMI: September 3-5 | Orlando, FL Learn More

SIIA: October 12-14 | Phoenix, AZ Learn More

Are you attending any of these conferences? Email us at sales@truerx.com to set up a time to connect!