Inspiring the Next Generation of Job Seekers

Among our efforts to help inspire the next generation of job seekers, in 2019, we hosted more than 50 students from the Howard University School of Business during the school’s week-long Financial Services, Insurance and Risk Management (FIRM) Symposium in New York City. In partnership with our Black/African American & Allies Diversity Network (BAADN), local leaders and our leadership development program associates, we offered an interactive presentation to help students hone their networking skills, better understand the future workplace and become enthusiastic about a potential career at Travelers.

“The learning process is a lifelong journey, and this is the next generation of leaders in our industry,” said Hansford Johnson, Assistant Vice President for Enterprise Diversity & Inclusion at Travelers. “The goal in partnering with Howard University is to create a meaningful experience that encourages each student to return to campus even more energized to enter this industry and make their mark.”

In 2020, Travelers was the title sponsor for the inaugural I.M.P.A.C.T. Next Generation Insurance Career Symposium. The first-of-its-kind virtual event was designed to inform and empower 150 students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to impact the insurance industry. Travelers employee Brittani Austin shared her background and professional experiences through a series of workshops, networking roundtables and topical presentations.

In 2021, Travelers partnered with the National African American Insurance Association to host two industrywide virtual events, titled “Black Equity: Ensuring the Talent and Leadership Pipeline.” Focusing on the importance of leadership development, the first session, held in April, highlighted programs like Hartford Youth Scholars, INROADS, Page Education Foundation and Posse as exemplary organizations that create opportunities in the insurance and financial services industry for underrepresented early-career professionals. The session also featured a panel of Travelers leaders who attributed their professional success to these programs and continue to pay it forward as advisory board members and mentors. The second session, held in November, focused on the advancement of experienced Black professionals within the industry, highlighting Management Leadership for Tomorrow and its unique programs dedicated to preparing Black and Hispanic/Latino professionals for senior leadership roles.