WHO WE ARE

Travelers believes that offering employees opportunities to support their local communities – whether through team volunteer projects, nonprofit activities or pro bono services – fosters personal growth, forges meaningful connections, and ultimately helps attract and retain employees. That’s why community engagement is an important part of Travelers’ approach to sustainability.

“Strong communities are sustained by educational and economic opportunities – and Travelers is committed to assisting our communities in generating those opportunities,” says Rita Ortiz, Senior Director, Community Relations, Travelers, and Assistant Vice President of the Travelers Foundation.

Rita helps to lead philanthropic projects and coordinates employee volunteerism to create positive outcomes in the communities where Travelers employees work and live. She also oversees community involvement programs such as Travelers’ annual Community Connections Campaign, which encourages  giving through fundraising events in support of United Way affiliates across the country.

In 2025, the campaign raised more than $1M for over 25 local affiliates through employee-led virtual and in-person activities. Says Rita, “By fostering a sense of community within our company, we strengthen and contribute to Travelers’ long-term success.”

“There is so much that the Community Relations team does behind the scenes to help create more stable, vibrant and resilient communities,” Rita shares. In addition to the annual giving campaign, Travelers invests in programs that promote resilience and opportunity, including:

• Travelers Fortifies Communities: Working with multiple nonprofit partners, Travelers helps construct affordable, wind-resistant homes to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED Home^TM standards, making them better able to withstand disasters.
• Travelers EDGE®: By empowering students through education and career support, Travelers helps hundreds of students graduate and begin successful careers.

Community involvement isn’t just good for local neighborhoods – it’s good for Travelers’ workforce. Employees feel more satisfied in their work and simultaneously build skills that will be helpful to their careers. “Volunteering also helps employees build competencies that Travelers values in our workforce,” says Rita, reflecting on how her own experience serving on the board of a small nonprofit organization helped her land her current role.

In addition to supporting volunteering, Travelers helps to increase employees’ monetary donations through the Matching Gifts Program and Volunteer Rewards Program. Employees can receive a matching donation of up to $500 annually for their charitable contributions and earn up to $1,000 in “rewards credits” annually for the volunteer hours they log through the program. “Since 2020,” Rita states, “the company has matched more than $10 million of employees’ financial and volunteer contributions.”

Looking to the future, the Community Relations’ team is focused on amplifying the Travelers Community Relations story and impact. Rita encourages all Travelers employees to take part in these initiatives because, as she says, “Every bit – whether it’s our time or our treasure – helps enable a resilient and sustainable future for our communities, and for our company.”