Jen Fisher on Well-being, Purpose, and Her Journey Through Breast Cancer

In this insightful interview, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein reconnects with Jen Fisher, Deloitte’s U.S. Human Sustainability Leader, to discuss her new role, her evolving approach to workforce well-being, and the ways organizations can support a healthier work-life balance. Jen reflects on the connection between sustainable work practices and personal health, sharing her journey through burnout and breast cancer, and the importance of advocating for one’s own health. Join Amy and Jen as they explore the future of sustainable workplaces and the critical role of well-being in today’s fast-paced world.

Amy Cohen Epstein:
I am psyched to re-interview—interview again—Jen Fisher from Deloitte. And it's pretty exciting because you have a new title and, if I dare say, a new updated purpose at Deloitte. So let’s just jump right into it, and will you tell us about that and how that came to be?

Jen Fisher:
Yeah, absolutely. So my new title is U.S. Human Sustainability Leader, and for those who don’t know, I was previously Deloitte’s first-ever Chief Well-being Officer… This role evolved out of conversations with leaders at Deloitte who saw an increasing need to focus on humans, not just within our organization but also in our communities. There’s this emerging area of human sustainability, which ties into the “S” in ESG—the social aspect—which is often under-addressed. It’s about understanding systemic barriers and the factors that make people feel like the world is “no longer working” for them… [Editor’s Note: Edited for clarity and brevity].

Amy:
And so how does that translate into day-to-day work at Deloitte or beyond?

Jen:
We’re still figuring that out. Fundamentally, it’s rooted in workforce well-being and intersects with trust and equity… We’re looking at areas like climate’s impact on health, food systems, and inequities, and how these issues shape people’s experiences at work. The goal is to understand what sustainable, equitable work looks like now and in the future.

Amy:
What do you actually do every day to make that happen?

Jen:
Right now, it’s about defining our strategy, identifying barriers, and understanding what sustainable work actually looks like. Many people feel that the ways we’ve been working aren’t sustainable. There’s this constant struggle between office time and remote work, and I think it’s becoming clear that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer… [Editor’s Note: Condensed for readability].

Amy:
What do you think the younger generation brings to this conversation?

Jen:
I think every generation brings a fresh perspective, but what’s unique now is that many younger people have experienced the downside of “always on” parents. They’re pushing back, saying, “I don’t want to live that way.” They’re not lazy—they just want a balanced life… [Editor’s Note: Clarified generational context].

Amy:
I totally get that. My grandparents and parents had very different work experiences. They didn’t have the tech to keep them on-call constantly. But now, with everyone so reachable, I see the burnout it causes. And for women, there’s that extra pressure of being reachable for everything, work and family alike.

Jen:
Exactly. And that’s what human sustainability is about. It sounds lofty, but it really comes down to creating balance. When I look back at my own burnout and breast cancer journey, I can’t help but think that the way I was living—always on, constantly stressed—played a big part… [Editor’s Note: Edited to focus on personal experience].

Amy:
Thank you for sharing that. It’s so important. And I think it’s people like you in roles like this that will help make sustainable work possible.

Jen:
Thank you, Amy. It’s always great to talk about this with you.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.