About Us
At Verbena Training, we’re transforming how employee benefits professionals learn, grow, and lead.
Backed by a team of seasoned industry experts, our training programs are thoughtfully designed to deliver technical knowledge, real-world insight, and hands-on experience for benefits professionals and HR teams.
All of our trainers bring over 20 years of deep industry experience — not just as educators, but as real-world, client facing consultants. We’ve risen through the ranks of the insurance and benefits industry, from entry-level roles to Client Service Directors and Benefits Division Leaders. Along the way, we’ve elevated service, driven growth, and built high-performing teams. We've led strategic initiatives across training, compliance, wellness, financial strategy, and consulting. Our experience spans the full spectrum: plan design, financial analysis, renewal negotiation, project management, employee communications, and strategic consulting.
We understand that success in this industry requires both deep technical expertise and strong, trust-based relationships. We’re passionate about developing talent and empowering teams to deliver exceptional results in the complex world of employee benefits.
What Makes Us Different?
Experience That Counts: Each trainer is a seasoned expert with 20+ years of experience
Flexible Delivery: Self-paced modules + live sessions. Training built for modern, busy schedules
Industry-Relevant: Built around today’s most critical topics
Immediate ROI: Programs that move the needle in weeks, not years
Meet The Team
At Verbena Training, we believe in empowering employee benefits professionals with the tools, insight, and confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
We're enthusiastic about the benefits industry and look forward to sharing our knowledge, expertise and passion with our students.
Kim Bubnis
Lead Instructor
With over 25 years of experience in employee benefits and human resources, Kim Bubnis brings deep industry expertise, leadership insight, and a passion for talent development.
She began her career in Northern California, helping build HR functions from the ground up at several fast-growing startups. In the early 2000s, she transitioned to the brokerage side of the benefits industry, joining a high-growth firm. Over the next decade, she rose through the ranks, serving as Account Manager, Client Consultant, Client Service Director, and ultimately became one of the principals of the firm.
After relocating to Southern California, Kim joined a leading regional brokerage where she led the Account Executive team and served as Executive Consultant for key benefits clients. She oversaw Compliance, Communications, Wellness, Technology, and the Consultant teams before stepping into the role of Benefits Division Leader.
Renowned for her expertise in client consulting and team leadership, Kim has driven impactful results for her firms while expanding her influence across the benefits industry through leadership roles with the Orange County Employee Benefits Council (OCEBC), as an advisory member with national insurance carriers, and as an active participant of a national employee benefits practice leaders' community.
Now, she’s channeling her experience into what she considers her most meaningful work yet: growing the next generation of employee benefits professionals.
With a clear-eyed view of the industry’s talent shortage, Kim is focused on equipping emerging professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and foundation needed to thrive, while helping agency leaders successfully develop their rising stars.
Recently featured on an insurance industry women’s leadership panel, she was asked about the legacy she hopes to leave behind. Her answer was simple: "To create opportunities for others." That vision is now in motion with Verbena Training and our innovative programs.
