Download the Inspired Leadership Wellness Brochure here
Download the Inspired Leadership Wellness Checklist here

Influential Wellness Leaders - Meet Wagner


Wagner Denuzzo, LCSW
Former VP, Head of Capabilities for the Future of Work
Prudential Financial

Wagner Denuzzo

Background​

Wagner is a frequent keynote speaker on the Future of Work, Leadership, and Talent Strategies for the new world of work. Most recently, he was the VP, Head of Capabilities for Future of Work at Prudential Financial where his team received an ATD award for best Talent Management Strategy, and prior to that role he was the VP, Global Lead of Leadership and Management Development for IBM during their greatest transformation under the leadership of the first female CEO in the company’s history.

He is also a Licensed Psychotherapist who has been an Executive/Leadership Coach, Organizational Development Consultant and HR strategist for over 20 years.

His thought leadership has been featured in multiple publications and podcasts in the industry, and he is currently working on his first book on Leadership which is expected to be published by 2024. He is a Latino Executive who was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, as well as a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from New York University. Wagner is passionate about DE&I and practices yoga regularly as part of his overall well-being routine. He lives with his husband, dogs and horse in New York.

Connect with Wagner via LinkedIn


"Avoid the SOS syndrome which stands for
Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS)
which is the reaction leaders have to the pressure of public opinion."

We reached out to Wagner and asked him a few questions regarding Wellness and his valuable input is shared below:

Question 1: Why do you think businesses need to focus on Wellbeing in 2023 and beyond?

I would say that businesses need to be upskilled in wellbeing and not focus on it from the outside of the emotional experiences that shape our lives. Work/Life Harmony is gaining acceptance and adoption by the workforce whose members will achieve even better results if able to harmonize their well-being with their ambition and purpose. Wellbeing in this context becomes fuel for performance.

Question 2: One tip that you have received from someone about wellbeing that you have taken…

My personal challenge has always been a basic inability to maintain a sustainable practice in caring for myself. I might lean in 100% for a short period of time and feel great, but as soon stress becomes overwhelming then anxiety takes the space of healthy behaviors. I am working on it now with tolerance for good, not great, and a daily focus on gratitude. It’s been really good, but the reality is that we must accept our ups and downs and continue to be grateful for the options we already have.

Question 3:Top advice to leaders and managers for leading a culture of wellbeing?

Avoid the SOS syndrome which stands for Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) which is the reaction leaders have to the pressure of public opinion. Instead, reflect on your own path to a more meaningful and emotionally fulfilling life. Start with yourself and allow for self-acceptance of your flaws and gaps in getting it right. Once you have self-acceptance, you will be in touch with your emotional well-being and the challenges we all experience in life.