WHO WE ARE.
Development and Continuous Learning Through Virtual Networking
More than 250 Technology & Operations and Actuarial & Analytics employees joined a recent speed networking event hosted by Travelers’ internal professional business groups EmpowHER+ and Women in Actuarial & Analytics (WIAA) for employees across the Tech & Analytics organizations.
The virtual event created a networking opportunity between employees and Travelers’ senior leaders to promote collaboration, while enhancing personal and professional growth through upskilling and continuous learning.
“Learning and development are a crucial part of our culture at Travelers,” said Tracey Cournoyer, Vice President, Data Engineering, Enterprise Data & Analytics. “As a leader, it’s important for me to enable and encourage networking opportunities like this for our employees’ career development.”
Participants joined virtual “round robin” rooms with nearly 40 Travelers leaders from all businesses and disciplines and had the opportunity for introductions and question and answer sessions.
“I appreciate the chance to learn from other Travelers employees and the work they and their organizations do,” said Tracy Patterson, Director, Middle Market Field Operations. “An event like this helps me get a broader view of what is happening around the company. Networking is a very important part of career development.”
Networking opportunities like these allow employees with different responsibilities and duties to connect to gain new insights and a better understanding of how to succeed.
“This event provided access to our most senior leaders, along with an opportunity to meet and learn more about peers and partners,” Steve Palasek, Vice President, Engineering Infrastructure & Cloud Services said. “Networking opportunities like this show that senior leadership is invested in us. They are there to guide, but also learn and listen, which is empowering to the broader organization.”
Misty Kuckelman, VP of Business Insurance Middle Market Operations and co-leader of EmpowHER+, said her goal with this event was to go beyond typical networking opportunities and hopefully open the door for employees to connect with leaders and each other further.“We want to go beyond superficial introductions and into conversations that allow for opportunities to share perspectives outside everyone’s typical business area.”
“Chatting with leaders from across the company helped boost my own happiness as an employee,” said Hakema Hussein, Data Engineer, Enterprise Data & Analytics. “It was fun and the experience motivated me to achieve more career goals.”
EmpowHER+ is a Technology & Operations group designed to inspire women to achieve their full career potential and drive business outcomes for Travelers. WIAA is an enterprise-wide professional business group whose mission is to increase the influence of actuarial and analytic women at Travelers by enhancing culture and fostering business development.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
My Travelers Journey – Didier B.
This article is part of an ongoing series to highlight our people by showcasing their path to Travelers, as well as their skills, interests and experiences.
When Didier Bouba Ndengue was an analyst at an electronic commerce company, he did not expect that he’d be looking into multiple leadership opportunities when he landed a new job at Travelers.
He began his Travelers Journey as an Operational Decision Management (ODM) Software Developer in 2016 and transitioned to the Technology Leadership Development Program in Claim Tech in 2018. Didier graduated from the program as a Data Engineer in Personal Insurance in the Fall of 2021, a role he continues today.
“Being young in my career, I was all about the exploration,” says Didier. “And my motivation continues to be learning and growing,” says Didier.
Didier leads the BI Data Modernization team and collaborates with groups within Tech & Ops to transfer application data to cloud services. He also works with colleagues in India to address any issues or make updates to applications. Didier enjoys mentoring interns and employees in his leadership role, helping to cultivate the desire for colleagues to grow their careers at Travelers.
“I tell my colleagues: If you want to develop people skills, become certified in applications, learn new coding languages, there are so many classes and resources for you to advance. And people care about your growth – not just your work.”
Didier also gained valuable experience at the 2021 Innovation Jam when his team’s idea for a new telematics solution for Boat and Yacht, Vesse, was a winner. Currently, Vesse is undergoing a Personal Insurance pilot for Travelers employees. Didier and his team have been conducting marketing research on how customers will engage with the product once available.
“It was very rewarding to be part of the team that created Vesse and to go through a 24-hour hackathon to develop it,” says Didier. “There were many talented and brilliant individuals in the team.”
Outside of work, Didier enjoys playing soccer in his free time. He likes to spend time with his family, listen to Congo and Latin music, and he plays soccer with his two-year-old son.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
Travelers Actuaries attend annual IABA Conference
Travelers is committed to promoting career opportunities to a diverse range of talent in the actuary community. One of the ways where this commitment is apparent is through our partnership with the International Association of Black Actuaries (IABA).
Travelers’ strong presence at the recent IABA annual conference demonstrated the company’s commitment to investing in development opportunities for Black actuaries. One attendee was Whittney LeBruce, who was introduced to Travelers when she attended the conference in 2017.
Whittney participated in a pre-conference bootcamp for aspiring actuaries. The bootcamp included a mock interview with Travelers, where she made a connection. Whittney met with five Travelers attendees that year and become convinced the company would be a great fit.
Fast forward five years: Whittney, who is now a recruiting lead for entry-level talent, joined four other Travelers colleagues to share knowledge and lessons through a “cooking show” for this year’s conference attendees. The “chefs” used cooking analogies to demonstrate how building a predictive model is achieved with each “ingredient.”
“I really value promoting diverse talent into this career,” Whittney said. “Maintaining a connection to IABA has been paramount to me. Through my participation, I can help build a pipeline for Black actuaries, celebrate them and help us learn from each other.”
This year, Travelers sent 15 actuaries to the IABA meeting, triple the number Whittney saw when she attended four years ago.
Loren Danielson, VP of Actuarial and Analytics, attended the conference as well and was honored as IABA Mentor of the Year.
“I got comments from multiple people from other companies on how many people Travelers sent to the conference,” Danielson said. “It was definitely recognized that Travelers is a leader, both in the content they presented and the value Travelers sees in sending people to the conference.”
In addition to being a recruiting opportunity, the conference is also viewed as an opportunity to retain talent who attend and return re-energized about their careers in this field.
“I’m very glad that Travelers continues to invest in me,” Whittney said. “And I’m honored that I can now help invest in others.”
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
My Travelers Journey – Allison K.
This article is part of an ongoing series to highlight our people by showcasing their path to Travelers, as well as their skills, interests and experiences.
When a talent recruiter from Travelers contacted Allison K. about a role on the Strategy, Planning & Programs team in Digital Enablement (DE), she was a marketing manager at a financial services company and not quite sure about making the leap.
“Given my background in marketing, I felt like I was a long-shot for this role, but during the interview process it was clear that Travelers values the different skillsets and experience people bring to the table, so I was very intrigued,” Allison said.
Allison accepted the position as a Strategic Initiatives Manager in January 2022, where she leads a variety of strategic initiatives focused on portfolio management, operational excellence and organizational engagement.
“Something’s that really stood out to me is how positive the culture is here and how we’re given flexibility when it comes to different ways of working. I love the hybrid model in that I’m able to interact with colleagues virtually or in person and build strong relationships across the team.”
“I’m making the most of the different learning opportunities afforded to me. I’ve enjoyed contributing to multiple ongoing projects while meeting new people along the way. It’s been an adventure!”
Allison is a great example of how your unique skill set can lead you to a career that’s more than you imagined.
Outside of work, Allison loves to cook, play golf and listen to music with her family. Growing up, one of her passions was diving.
Thanks for sharing your hiring story with us, Allison!
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
Diversity Network Spotlight: Disability & Allies
In 2008, Travelers created Diversity Networks — voluntary organizations led by employees dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. Open to all employees, the networks help foster the retention, development and success of our employees through networking, mentorship and community volunteer opportunities.
We recently sat down with members of our Disability & Allies Diversity Network to learn more about the impact of their involvement.
Tara DiBilio
Claim Account Executive Tara DiBilio pours drive and passion into the Disability & Allies Diversity Network (D&A DN) at Travelers. Residing in Dallas, Texas, Tara has left an everlasting mark on the program.
The D&A DN originally caught her attention because of her degree in education and her interest in the neurodiverse community. She is now the Learning and Development Co-Lead for the D&A DN and currently spearheading an American Sign Language program for all eight Travelers Diversity Networks. She also attended the Disability:IN conference where she and two other employees accepted the DEI 100 Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion honor for the fifth year in a row on behalf of Travelers. She says the conference has expanded her knowledge and understanding to an even greater degree. Shortly after joining the D&A DN, Tara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her personal experience led her to create the MS group within the DN which serves as a support system for herself and other members that have or know loved ones with the condition. She says, “It created the desire in me to become much more involved.”
Since her enrollment, Tara says her involvement has completely changed her perspective on disabilities and everyday life. It’s become important to her to make sure that even newer members within the DN feel included enough to share the same sentiment. She assures, “I have a deeper understanding of the need to spread acceptance, empathy, and a safe place for everyone.”
Saphire Hathorne
State Product Director Saphire Hathorne, from Ricardson, Texas, connects her personal life to her participation in two Diversity Networks at Travelers.
As a black woman, she found a supportive community within the Black & African American & Allies Diversity Network that gave her a platform to discuss and overcome challenges in the workplace. Her firm commitment to our Disability & Allies Diversity Network originated from her desire to learn how to best prepare her son with Williams Syndrome for the corporate and social world post-high school. She says, “After he got out of high school it was very difficult for him to find a job, even though I knew the skillset he had.”
She is constantly inspired by working with others who face similar challenges to her son and do not let their disabilities hold them back from achieving their goals. She says, “I hope to one day see more employers realize that a person’s abilities are far more important in the workplace than their disability.”
Since joining the D&A DN, Saphire has developed strong relationships in and out of the company. She’s had the opportunity to be mentored by senior executives and finds it immensely rewarding to volunteer. She also had the chance to attend the Disability:IN conference amongst her peers.
Saphire reminds us, “We’re all human beings. Everybody has something to contribute to this world. I’m glad I have the opportunity to work for a company that encompasses values of people with different walks of life.”
Alan Wirkman
Though he is a loyal member of all eight Diversity Networks, Alan Wirkman has developed a personal and profound connection with Travelers’ Disability & Allies Diversity Network. Appointed affinity coach of the D&A DN, he is constantly creating new strategies to make a difference.
As a parent with a child that has a neurodiverse disability, Alan was motivated to learn more about how to support his family at home and at work. He says, “You spend most of your days at work and the people that you work with become a part of your family. It’s important to understand the challenges they have and to learn about experiences that you may share.”
Alan’s leadership position within the DN has allowed him to grant and receive incredible opportunities. He recently attended the Disability:IN conference. At the conference, he was able to interview people with disabilities and prepared them for a successful job interview. Alan says, “We have to be understanding of accommodations. We need more people comfortable with sharing the accommodations they need. It’ll change our culture, and we will continue to have some really strong talent.”
Alan continues to grow his awareness within the disability community. As a parent, a colleague, a mentor, and a leader, he understands that his support and compassion towards others can foster change and create a safe place in the world and the workplace for people with disabilities to be unapologetically themselves.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
Travelers Leaders Get First-Hand Look at Military Day In the Life
Travelers has a long-standing history of honoring and supporting its military employees. While we understand the unique skillset and experience that our service members bring to careers at Travelers, those who hire, manage and support military employees rarely get to see their military skills in action.
Recently, two Travelers leaders got the chance to view some of the capabilities and tasks our Reserve Component Service Members perform while on duty with the Connecticut National Guard (CTNG) through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift Program.
The Bosslift Program, also referred to as “Employer Day” by the CTNG, allows civilian employers to understand the missions, skills, experience, education and knowledge that service members bring to the defense of our nation and our civilian workforce. Ricky Jones, Regional President, Enterprise Distribution Management, and James Forshey, Senior Vice President, Field Management, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and a group of other employers toured Connecticut Army and Air National Guard facilities in Windsor Locks and East Granby, Connecticut, where Travelers employees proudly serve.
While some Bosslift transportation took place on a military bus, an anticipated UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flight over downtown Hartford treated the Travelers team to another unique perspective for the day: the sky view of the iconic Travelers tower.
“Hiring from this community of people strengthens our reputation as a military and veteran-friendly company as well as extending our commitment to diversity in our workforce,” James said.
“The people we met have diverse backgrounds, experiences, viewpoints and knowledge representing all dimensions of diversity. We are a better company when we incorporate those multiple dimensions into our workforce.”
“I’ve always had a tremendous respect for the men and women who serve our country and make sacrifices to keep us free,” Ricky said.
“The Bosslift not only showcased the multiple talents of the service members we met, but it also reinforced pride in one’s country over oneself in work performed each and every day.”
The ESGR is an office of the Department of Defense that promotes understanding and cooperation between reservists and their employers. Travelers signed a Statement of Support with ESGR in 2016, further solidifying our company’s commitment to supporting our nation’s National Guard and Reserve units through providing employment opportunities, advocacy and awareness.
“I feel proud and fortunate to be a Travelers employee and I’m struck by how our company values align with that of the military – ‘integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do’* sounds exactly like us,” said James. “And as much as we, as people and a company, appreciate the service of our armed forces, they appreciate us and our support as much.”
* “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do” are the core values of the U.S. Air Force.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
MEET OUR INTERNS
This year, we welcomed more than 400 interns under the umbrella. We sat down with three of them to learn their stories and hear about their summer experience with us.
Anjali A.
While working towards earning her PhD in statistics, Anjali A. of Amherst, Massachusetts has spent this summer here at Travelers interning under the Data Science Leadership Development Program.
Anjali, who has one more year in her doctorate program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was introduced to Travelers through a modeling competition held at her school. She admits that although insurance was not necessarily her first choice for a career, her interest was piqued shortly after she learned about all the fascinating data and insights that could be collected from insurance, as well as the employees that she had the opportunity of engaging with.
“One thing I love about my team is how open everyone is to sharing knowledge; I really look forward to presenting my work and discussing my work with my teammates,” says Anjali.
At the conclusion of the summer, Anjali hopes to have gained as much knowledge about insurance products as possible and to have built a broader skill set as a data scientist. She says, “Every single call I’ve had with someone here, I’ve learned so much; I learn something new every single time.”
Elijah K.
Rising senior at the University at Buffalo, Elijah K., joined Travelers this year as an LDP summer intern. Majoring in finance and working under the Operations Leadership Development Program, Elijah says an average day for him can begin anywhere from capacity reporting to mid-year cutoff reporting.
Elijah discovered Travelers three years ago through a family friend that had suggested he apply to the Claim internship program. Following his brief introduction to the company and several interviews, Elijah spent two summers virtually working in Claim until he accepted a position in Operations this summer.
He says, “[At Travelers] There are a lot of diverse roles you can be a part of. If you get tired of one thing, you won’t have to leave. There’s still another part of the company you can get training on and transfer to.”
By the end of the season, Elijah hopes to take his developed skill sets as an intern and apply them as a full-time employee in Operations. His advice to future interns is to truly understand the importance of networking. He says, “The more people that you meet, the better.”
Kateryna Y.
Originally from Ukraine, Kateryna Y. is spending her second summer under the umbrella as an intern for the Finance Leadership Development Program. Arriving to the United States in 2004, she now resides in Connecticut where she attends Central Connecticut State University double majoring in accounting and finance.
The opportunity to intern at Travelers was offered to Kateryna through her sources and professors at her university. She says, “Once I learned more about Travelers, I realized how many opportunities there are for learning, especially so early on in your career.”
One of Kateryna’s biggest learning opportunities this summer so far has been co-leading the LDP Intern Newsletter. Her new leadership position has helped her create relationships with members of other Leadership Development Programs outside of Finance, as well as develop strategies to keep track of personal and collective deadlines.
After finishing undergrad, Kateryna aims to one day work full-time in the FLDP. She advises future interns at Travelers to never stop networking. She says, “Your internship is your opportunity to learn not only about your specific role, but also about how the company works, its goals and its culture. Building your network early on in your career is very helpful for your growth in the future.”
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
Patents with a Purpose – Travelers Tech Employees Drive Innovation with New Inventions
At Travelers, innovation is part of our DNA. That’s never truer than during the Travelers Innovation Jam (InJam), an annual hackathon that provides Travelers employees the opportunity to develop new technologies that answer business challenges and aim to improve the experiences of our customers and employees. The inventions that come out of InJam and other working groups embody the spirit of innovation at Travelers, and several have become contenders for U.S. patents.
Travelers has filed 70 employee-driven U.S. patents in the last five years thanks to innovators like Michael Gammon, an Information Systems Engineer. Michael’s team created HomeSafe, an app-based system powered by machine learning which allows consumers to measure water usage more effectively. The team was inspired to create HomeSafe by personal experience. “Our team decided to focus on mitigating water damage after a particularly cold winter in the Northeast,” Michael said.
In creating this technology, they balanced researched-based findings and consumer needs to allow users to better protect their homes from water damage. In the same vein, the patented Wildfire Defender uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess wildfire risk. “After the world experienced several years of devastating wildfires, we wanted to focus on the potential impact of vegetation when assessing wildfire risk in a proactive way,” said Stefanie Walker, Manager, Information Delivery.
Where HomeSafe shook up the consumer technology space, other Travelers patents focus on innovating in commercial tech. “When cargo is stolen, the first 24 to 48 hours of an investigation are crucial,” says Scott Cornell, National Practice Leader for Inland Marine Transportation. In response to this issue, Scott and his team developed The Cargo Theft App, which uses AI to prevent theft and aid recovery. “This app makes it possible for drivers to photograph their truck, trailer and cargo, and warns them about areas where theft has recently occurred along their planned driving route. If something gets stolen, the app can instantly send pertinent information to Travelers, vastly accelerating the investigation and supporting recovery,” he said.
Scott’s teammate Ernesto Jaramillo, Senior Information Systems Director and Circle Lead, highlights how crucial their interdisciplinary team was to the app’s development. “The keys to our success were our agile mindset and the fact that our team was cross-functional. If I had been at InJam with just engineers, we’d have been coding without a business partner’s expertise. And if our business colleagues had been working on a concept without engineers, it could have remained a mere idea.”
After working on Intelligent Imagery, another patented technology that applies computer vision models to aerial image data to determine a building’s footprint and characteristics, Data Scientist Murat Yasar, Ph.D., also credited the app’s success to a multifaceted team. “We approached the idea for this system with an inclusive, collaborative mindset, which brought out each person’s perspective,” Murat said. “Our team included people from product development, data science and architecture. And from that we could better consider every angle, outlining how our solution would benefit not only Travelers but also our customers, agents and brokers.”
At Travelers, innovation and collaboration go hand in hand—and everybody benefits. Each of these patents, which benefit stakeholders from large companies to the average consumer, is proof of the power of tech and of teamwork.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
You Got the Interview! Now What?
By Lynn Simon-Thomas
Manager, Diversity Engagement
Talent Acquisition
I often get calls from friends, colleagues, and family members seeking advice on how they should prepare for an interview after they’ve already scheduled it. Usually, the beginning of the conversation is loaded with anxiety because the mere thought of interviewing makes many people uncomfortable and nervous. On one hand, I can understand because some interviewers put candidates through an experience similar to a Senate confirmation hearing. On the other hand, I find it confusing because when you apply for a job, that usually means you believe you’re qualified to do it based on your experience. And who knows your experience better than you?
That question is the basis for one of the first questions I often ask when interviewing a candidate which is, “Why did you apply to the position?”
- Are you seeking a more challenging role due to a lack of growth opportunity within your current organization?
- Are you feeling stagnant as you watch other co-workers and friends climb the corporate ladder?
- Are you looking for a significant salary increase?
- Or are you just exploring possibilities because a recruiter reached out to you?
Point blank, why are you seeking another job? And particularly, why this job?
I always ask this question because it forces people to take a step back and really investigate the “why” behind their job search. It also inspires honest introspection and self-reflection, which can help determine whether a position may be the right opportunity. When you unequivocally understand your “why” and you are self-aware enough to know your strengths, as well as the things you need to improve upon, you become a much stronger and appealing candidate.
In addition to knowing your “why,” it’s also important that you have a solid understanding of the current job description. Do you clearly understand the tasks you will be asked to complete if given the role? One way to obtain this clarity is to ask the recruiter to share some insights into what the hiring manager seeks in a candidate. Armed with that information, be sure to ask yourself if you truly have the proper skills needed to succeed in the role. If you don’t, that can be okay if you consider the opportunity a “stretch” role and you have the desire to obtain those needed skills.
If and when the opportunity presents itself, be sure to ask potential co-workers to describe the culture within the company and department, as departmental culture can sometimes differ from the overall company culture. Enjoying what you do, and with whom you do it, is extremely important for your emotional well-being. It can impact your daily motivation, drive, and overall contribution to your job and the company. Take an honest look within yourself to uncover what makes you happy in your current job. Try to identify those things that bring you joy at work and make you excited to start your day. The ability to explain what you need from a job, as well as the opportunities you see in your next role, can go a long way towards ensuring the role is right for you.
Finally, once you have a better understanding of the role and what the hiring manager may be looking for in a candidate, you should be able to clearly articulate what you bring to the table through relevant examples of how your current skill set makes you an ideal candidate for the position. Perhaps you helped to improve a vital process that saved your current department a significant amount of money. Or maybe you were instrumental in turning overall customer sentiment from negative to positive. Regardless, when you can demonstrate that you have the expertise and experience to help a potential manager solve the problems they’re currently facing, you dramatically improve your chances of landing the role.
To help you remember these guidelines, I’ve created a short list of tips that can help you ace your next interview.
Interviewing Tips:
- Know yourself.
- Understand why you want the job and how it will help you achieve your professional goals. Be able to clearly state the skills you possess that would benefit the organization, as well as those which you’re working to improve to ensure you’d be successful in the position.
- Understand the opportunity for growth/the career path the position could offer.
- If you can’t visualize how you can advance your career beyond the role, be sure to ask about the potential career path and available support structures that can guide you towards success.
- Attempt to obtain insight into the departmental culture.
- Emotional well-being is vital to success in the work world. Be sure to inquire about the working dynamics within the team to help determine if the opportunity and environment is right for you.
- Always treat the recruiter with respect.
- Never view the recruiter as a simple hurdle to clear en route to the hiring manager. As the “first line of defense,” the recruiter can be the most important person in the interviewing process.
Concentrating on these four things can help you navigate your next interview successfully and remove some of the pre-interview anxiety many people experience. Good luck!
Lynn Simon-Thomas is Manager, Diversity Engagement within Talent Acquisition. Lynn has over 15 years of experience in recruiting and diversity engagement. She serves as the diversity and inclusion subject matter expert focused on the execution of targeted diverse talent sourcing strategies.
Connect with Lynn Simon-Thomas and other Travelers leaders on LinkedIn.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.
WHO WE ARE.
Diversity Network Spotlight: Asian & Allies
In 2008, Travelers created Diversity Networks — voluntary organizations led by employees dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. Open to all employees, the networks help foster the retention, development and success of our employees through networking, mentorship and community volunteer opportunities.
Learning & Development Lead for the Asian & Allies Diversity Network (A&A DN), Susan M., as well as A&A DN member Varsha D. share their stories of moving to the U.S., growing up, and ultimately finding a community at Travelers.
Susan M.’s Story
“I was born in Taiwan and moved to the northeast United States with my parents and two brothers when I was ten years old. My story is similar to many Asians who moved here at a young age. Learning English and a new culture was a challenge for all of us.
Growing up, I was treated differently at school and in public for just looking Asian. Kids would make gestures pulling their eyes back or pretend to “Kung Fu chop” me with made up sounds poking fun. It became easier to blend in with the people around me than to show my Asian-ness. At that age, it was all about figuring out where and how I could belong. Over time, assimilating to the Western culture made it easier to box up my Asian history and put it away.
When I went to California for college, I experienced a huge culture shock. People all around me were minorities made up of many cultures. I began to notice how much my sense of identity had strayed.
I received my nursing degree and later joined Travelers in 1995. When the formal creation of our Diversity Networks was announced, I had the chance to mingle with other Asian colleagues. I started networking, getting involved, and mentoring others. I reconnected with my community and expanded my range of cultural awareness. Through story-telling, I was lucky to create friendships with employees across all of the countries in Asia, not just my own.
The Asian & Allies Diversity Network has allowed me to become a better mentor, it has allowed me to engage, and it has allowed me to be comfortable as an Asian. Finding my story was so important and with the opportunities to connect and share, it gave me back a true sense of belonging. I rediscovered my Asian voice in an unexpected way. Finding your voice is another way of opening yourself up to the world. It creates a ripple effect that inspires and empowers others to do the same.”
Varsha D.’s story
“I moved to the United States from India when I was 11 years old. We were the only Indians on our street and because of that, we were bullied throughout childhood. It wasn’t easy growing up in a place where you don’t look like everyone else.
In my career, I never quite found a place to connect with others like me until I joined the Asian & Allies Diversity Network at Travelers. In 2018, I went to speed networking event hosted by the DN. I enjoyed it and wanted to get more involved. Six months later, I saw that another speed networking event was coming up. I asked if the committee needed help planning, and now I have been on the committee for the past four years.
Joining a Diversity Network has meant getting outside of my comfort zone, gaining courage and finding a community at Travelers. I’ve grown so much, both personally and professionally. I have gotten the chance to meet people from different backgrounds and learn about their cultures, I’ve expanded my career network, improved my public speaking and I’ve been able to meet senior leaders across the company. I think that it’s very important for people to know that Travelers has this opportunity and that they can easily get involved. If you open up the door, it’s up to you how far you’d like to go.”
SUBSCRIBE TO GET OUR LATEST BLOGS
Want to stay up to date? Have stories sent directly to your email inbox.