Past Webinars

Real Estate Market Update

December 13, 2023

The residential real estate market continues to be strained by high prices, low inventory and mortgage interest rates above 7%. Meanwhile, the commercial real estate market has been upended by high office vacancy rates in city centers thanks to the increase in hybrid and remote workers. In this webinar session, the National Association of Realtors^® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun joined the Travelers Institute for a look at the state of the residential and commercial markets, where they are headed in 2024 and what it means for buyers, sellers, renters, investors and the insurance industry.   

Retirement Playbook: Your Guide to Life After Insurance

November 15, 2023

Are you retiring soon or just retirement-curious? Wondering what you’ll do with your days after decades spent building a successful career and business? The Travelers Institute was joined by two former top insurance industry executives, now retirement coaches, Mark and Jody Rollins, who shared their personal journey navigating the post-career world. Learn how they reimagined and transformed their retirement into a time of meaning and purpose and get inspired for your next chapter. 

An Insurance Agent’s Guide to Gen Z

November 8, 2023

Are you an insurance agent or broker wondering how to reach Generation Z, the 69 million young Americans born between 1997 and 2012? Much of this generation has now crossed into adulthood and is already engaging with insurance. How are they different than other generations in their view of insurance? What are their motivations to buy insurance? What is the best way to engage with this very online cohort? Travelers’ Jacqui Heidelberger joined the Travelers Institute with all new research for a follow up to her wildly popular “Meet Gen Z” webinar. We explored Gen Z’s beliefs, values and expectations around insurance and left the audience with a roadmap on how to be Gen Z’s trusted insurance agent. 

Evolution of the Supreme Court with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

October 30, 2023

Citizen Travelers^SM – Travelers’ industry-leading, nonpartisan civic engagement initiative – and the Travelers Institute are teaming up to support and showcase conversations among leading thinkers in the areas of civic engagement and civic learning. In this conversation, viewers learned about the evolution of the United States Supreme Court and its role in defining America. We discussed some common misconceptions about the U.S. Supreme Court and some of the ways that its decisions have impacted our daily lives. 

100^th Episode: A Conversation with Alan Schnitzer, Travelers Chairman and CEO

October 25, 2023

What makes a successful leader during times of uncertainty and rapid change? To celebrate the Travelers Institute's 100th webinar, Travelers Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan Schnitzer joined the Wednesdays with Woodward webinar series for a conversation on leadership. Since 2015, Schnitzer has successfully led Travelers through extraordinary times, including a pandemic, economic volatility, rapid technological change and more. Schnitzer has been recognized as an industry leader and an advocate for bringing people together to address critical challenges and opportunities impacting the communities where we live and work.

Cyber Readiness: 5 Critical Steps for Your Organization

October 11, 2023

If your organization hasn’t implemented cyber readiness practices, or doesn’t know where to start, this program is for you. Watch the replay to get an hour of practical steps for cyber readiness. Mullen Coughlin’s Carolyn Purwin Ryan and Travelers’ Tim Francis take a deep dive into five key cybersecurity practices: implementing multifactor authentication (MFA), having an incident response plan, ensuring proper system backups, leveraging endpoint detection and response, and keeping your systems up to date.   

Storm Warning: Managing the Risk of Increasing Hurricane Catastrophes

September 20, 2023

Hurricane Ian (2022) was the third costliest disaster in U.S. history. The 2023 season was predicted to be below average. In this webinar session, which included leading authorities in hurricane, storm surge, and risk mitigation, the Travelers Institute explored how we can help our clients mitigate the risk of hurricanes and storm surge. Our expert panel recapped the season so far and explored the latest in hurricane forecasting, and how resiliency is approached at the local level including sea level rise and building design standards. 

ADAS in the Wild

September 13, 2023

Newer vehicles today are packed with sensors and technology. This includes a group of features known as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (or ADAS), that aim to help drivers better react to danger on the road and partially automate the driving task. So how are drivers today actually handling all this new tech? Are we beginning to see safety benefits? In this Travelers Institute webinar, we joined Dr. Bryan Reimer as he shared insights from MIT’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium, which studies real life drivers in and around New England operating some of today’s most tech-forward vehicle models. Travelers’ Personal Insurance Vice President Amanda Mezerewski got into the conversation as well for a deep dive on the state of ADAS, its safety benefits, limitations, consumer understanding and more.

Global Hot Spots and Geopolitical Risks with Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper

July 19, 2023

A host of foreign policy and national security challenges face the U.S. today including the war in Ukraine, tensions with China, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the rise of authoritarian regimes. Meanwhile, overlapping global crises are contributing to further geopolitical tensions, leading to global supply chain disruptions and exacerbating inflationary pressures around the world. What do these global dynamics and tensions mean for your business and your industry? The Travelers Institute explored these questions with Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper on the Wednesdays with Woodward webinar series. 

Independent Agents: The Trusted Choice

July 12, 2023

With changing expectations from insureds and rapid technological advances in the insurance market, the role of the independent insurance agent is at an exciting inflection point. In this webinar, Chip Bacciocco, Chief Executive Officer, TrustedChoice.com, and Sean Ramalho, Senior Vice President, Travelers joined the Travelers Institute for an in-depth discussion on the importance and value of the independent agent distribution channel, the changing dynamics agents are facing in the market today, and how they can thrive in the years ahead. The panel also discussed TrustedChoice.com and the unique role it plays in the independent agency ecosystem. 

Taking Your First Steps Toward Public Leadership

June 29, 2023

Have you ever been curious about holding elected office or do you know someone who you think would be a great public leader? This special webinar session, hosted by Citizen Travelers at the Travelers Institute, examined the skills you likely already have to be a successful elected official, which public roles could be right for you or someone you know and what has inspired others to take the first step towards public leadership.

Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

June 28, 2023

How can businesses recruit, hire and retain employees with disabilities? We explored these questions with Disability:IN President and CEO Jill Houghton who shared her experience driving disability inclusion and Travelers Vice President Bruce Soltys, who also shared advice and lessons learned from Travelers own experience hiring and retaining workers with disabilities, specifically those who identify as neurodiverse.  

Crash and Learn LIVE Edition with IIHS

June 14, 2023

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) runs a state-of-the-art facility where researchers conduct a range of vehicle crash tests and publish their widely consulted vehicle safety ratings. The Travelers Institute brought our cameras in for a heart-pounding, live crash test, with commentary and real-time reactions from IIHS’ leading safety experts. 

The How and Why of D&I with Travelers’ Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

June 7, 2023

Travelers' Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Lauren Young, shared insights on how organizations can foster diversity and an inclusive culture – and why it matters. Young also shared some of her experience leading Travelers’ enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion program.

The Rapid Rise of Litigation Costs

May 24, 2023

The Travelers Institute hosted a discussion with an expert panel about the policies and decisions driving the increase in litigation costs and social inflation in the U.S. The panel gave valuable insights about the jurisdictions that are working to address rising costs and also detailed practical risk management strategies for organizations navigating an increasingly uncertain litigation environment.

Previewing the 2023 Travelers Championship - We’re Taking It to the Next Level

May 17, 2023

Golf fans rejoice! This year’s Travelers Championship is one of the PGA TOUR’s designated events, with a purse of $20 million and a commitment that most of the TOUR’s most popular players will compete at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut in June. Nathan Grube, Tournament Director of the Travelers Championship^®, and Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers, gave the Travelers Institute an exclusive preview of what – and who – patrons can expect to see during this epic week of golf.

A Small Business Playbook for Leading Through Uncertainty

May 3, 2023

The Travelers Institute hosted a special session marking National Small Business Week, with an expert panel that shared practical advice for managing business risk through economic uncertainty. They also explored the latest technological advancements that are helping small business owners and insurance agents and brokers alike.

Surety Protects: The Economic Value of Surety Bonds

April 26, 2023

What’s the value of a construction surety bond? Time and money, according to a study by Ernst & Young, in collaboration with the Surety and Fidelity Association of America. SFAA President & CEO Lee Covington, EY’s Bob Carroll and Travelers’ Bob Raney joined the Travelers Institute to discuss key findings from the report, one of the first to drill down on the broad value offered by these products. 

Navigating the Rapidly Changing World of Professional and Financial Lines Insurance

April 5, 2023

The Travelers Institute explored professional and financial lines insurance, which continues to grow in importance and significance to carriers and brokers throughout the U.S. and the world. Travelers’ Jeff Klenk, Aon’s Christine Williams and Marsh’s Michelle Sartain drilled down into industry trends and shared strategies to address pain points in lines of coverage, including Directors and Officers, Employment Practices Liability and Cyber. They also examined external factors impacting the insurance industry as a whole. 

Total Worker Health^®: Are You Looking at the Full Picture?

March 29, 2023

What’s next for worker safety, health and well-being? L. Casey Chosewood, leader of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Office for Total Worker Health^®, headlined this session on the future of workers’ compensation and workforce well-being. Travelers’ Allen McCalister joined the conversation to discuss Travelers’ signature approach to post-injury care.

Lessons for Your Business Toolbox: A Conversation with Stanley Black & Decker President & CEO Donald Allan, Jr.

March 22, 2023

What lessons can business leaders learn from Stanley Black & Decker President & CEO Donald Allan, Jr.? He joined us to talk about what it’s like to lead a major manufacturing company in 2023. We talked supply chain, inflation, innovation, social responsibility and how today’s corporate leaders can succeed while providing value to all stakeholders.

Cyber Risk Report: A View from the U.S. Government’s Lead Cyber Agency

March 15, 2023

We took an inside look at the fight to protect U.S. critical infrastructure and other organizations from the threat of cyberattacks with experts from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. federal government’s cyber defense agency, and Travelers. We explored the steps organizations can take to build cyber resilience and a range of free CISA resources.

Making Sense of Emerging AI Capabilities like ChatGPT

March 1, 2023

ChatGPT is a text-based generative Artificial Intelligence model that has recently garnered everyone’s attention. It can write poems, pass MBA exams, create business plans and more. Travelers’ technology and data science leaders, Mano Mannoochahr and Girish Modgil, helped us better understand this new technology and the impact of such A.I. tools on the insurance industry and beyond.

Economic Outlook 2023 with Former White House Senior Economist Dr. LaVaughn Henry

February 15, 2023

Dr. LaVaughn Henry, former Senior Economist for the White House Council of Economic Advisers, joined us to share his outlook for the U.S. economy and monetary policy. What scenarios should businesses be ready for in 2023? During our discussion we tackled the topics of inflation, the labor market, housing and more. We also discussed what they might mean for your business in the new year. 

Understanding Insurance Regulations: A Conversation with NAIC CEO Michael Consedine

February 1, 2023

We sat down with Michael Consedine, the CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the organization governed by the chief insurance regulators from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. We gained insights about the key challenges and opportunities insurance regulators are facing today at the state, federal, and international levels and discussed the workforce challenges facing state insurance departments following the pandemic.

Healthy New Year: Transformative Food Habits for 2023

January 25, 2023

In this webinar we learned how to kickstart healthy habits in the new year. Our guests, Matthew Rees, former White House speechwriter and Food and Health Facts newsletter founder and Kristen Coffield, founder of The Culinary Cure^® gave us their insights into healthy habits.

Making Sense of the Headlines: Insurance Market Insights for 2023 with Dr. Robert Hartwig

January 18, 2023

Savvy risk and insurance professionals are tracking a lot of news these days - from consumer sentiment, inflationary pressures and recession fears to nuclear verdicts, catastrophe losses and more. We kicked off 2023 with industry veteran and fan favorite Dr. Robert Hartwig as he gave his signature property casualty insurance market outlook.

The Construction Job Site of Today: Risks and Opportunities

December 14, 2022

With an increased reliance upon electronic data and an expanding array of operational exposures, construction contractors and risk professionals have much to navigate. We explored the challenges ahead for this industry and technology-driven innovation that's helping to power the industry through times of change.

The Business Imperative of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Laura Liswood

December 7, 2022

Award- winning speaker, best-selling author and diversity and inclusion expert Laura Liswood joined us to talk about her latest book, The Elephant and the Mouse: Moving Beyond the Illusion of Inclusion to Create a Truly Diverse and Equitable Workplace. Ms. Liswood described to us the ways leaders can move beyond traditional diversity efforts towards more modern practices that embrace—and thrive from—the differences between people. 

Got your CPCU^®? Explore New Opportunities to Grow Your Risk Management Career

November 30, 2022

Peter Miller, President and CEO of The Institutes, joined us for a fascinating look into the insurance industry’s in-demand and emerging education trends. The Institutes, widely known for its popular and longstanding CPCU® credential, provides professional designations, collegiate studies, executive programs and much more in risk management and insurance.

Global Hotspots and Geopolitical Risks with Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Ian Brzezinski

November 16, 2022

Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Atlantic Council Fellow Ian Brzezinski joined us to discuss today’s geopolitical risks, global hot spots, pressing foreign policy issues and takeaways for the business community. 

Reclaiming the Lost Art of Connecting

November 9, 2022

Author, CEO, and Forbes 50 Over 50 award recipient Susan McPherson says it’s time to reclaim the power of human connection. She joined us to discuss her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting, and share a new approach for developing lasting and fulfilling personal connections. Additionally, we learned how to move beyond tech-driven, transactional networking to build meaningful professional and personal relationships that will power up your business and life.

Trucking Industry Outlook: What We’re Looking Forward to in 2023

November 2, 2022

Leading experts from the American Trucking Associations, Travelers and Northland Insurance joined us for a deep dive into today’s latest opportunities and headwinds in trucking. We explored technology-driven safety advancements, economic factors at play, and insights from the insurance industry.

Under Pressure: Real Estate Market Update with National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

October 26, 2022

National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun joined us to discuss the outlook for the residential and commercial real estate markets, and what it all means for buyers, sellers, renters, investors, and the insurance industry.

Inflation, Interest Rates and the State of the U.S. Economy: A Conversation with Neel Kashkari, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

October 19, 2022

Neel Kashkari, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, joined the Wednesdays with Woodward series to share his perspective on U.S. monetary policy, the state of the economy, and his role overseeing one of the country’s twelve Federal Reserve Banks.

What’s Required? Understanding the New Cybersecurity Laws Impacting U.S. Critical Infrastructure

October 12, 2022

A law recently signed by President Biden will create new cyber incident reporting requirements for organizations considered to be “critical infrastructure.” But what is critical infrastructure, and what organizations are subject to the new law? Our expert panel discussed these issues as well as strategies businesses can employ to enhance their cybersecurity and protect themselves from experiencing a cyber event. 

Woodward on Washington: An Economic, Public Policy & Political Outlook

September 28, 2022

Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers, shared her annual economic, public policy, and political outlook, including the most pressing challenges facing Congress and the Biden Administration today. Will legislation recently passed by Congress, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the CHIPS Act bring relief to consumers and businesses? Joan also spoke to the upcoming mid-term elections and what it might mean for insurance, tax policy, and the economy.

Mental Well-Being in the Workplace

September 21, 2022

The events of the past two years have brought to light the importance of talking about and addressing mental health challenges. Our expert panel, featuring leaders in workers compensation and behavioral health, examined mental well-being in the workplace and how to help employees build resilience skills to manage through challenging times. 

Meet Gen Z: Your Next Customer and Colleague

September 14, 2022

Born between 1997 and 2012, these 69 million young Americans comprise an informed, open-minded and connected generation. What makes them tick? What’s the best way to reach them? How can employers recruit and retain them? Travelers Assistant Vice President of Market Research Jacqui Heidelberger joined us with a fascinating look at Gen Z. 

Bridging the Civics Gap: Making the Business Case for Civic Engagement

September 7, 2022

As a result of shifting societal trends in recent years, civic education and engagement has been on the decline. What can be done to turn things around? iCivics Executive Director Louise Dubé and Travelers Group General Counsel and Head of Civic Engagement Janice Brunner discussed how businesses – both large and small – can empower employees and their families with the tools they need to get civically engaged in their communities.

A Conversation with CVS Health^® President and CEO Karen S. Lynch

July 27, 2022

Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO of CVS Health^®, discussed her experiences leading a Fortune 4 company on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response, and how she envisions a future with better outcomes for community health.

Wildfire Mitigation: Cutting-Edge Insights, Tech and Research

July 20, 2022

In this installment of Wednesdays with Woodward, we went beyond the headlines for a deep dive into the latest digital technologies and eye-opening research that are powering insights into wildfire mitigation. 

The Exponential Rise of Nuclear Verdicts

June 29, 2022

Are extreme jury awards – known as “nuclear verdicts” – the new normal? We heard from two experts, the Institute for Legal Reform’s Harold Kim and Travelers Claim General Counsel Alexia Cruz about what’s driving the trend and how businesses can manage risk in today’s evolving litigation landscape.

Hacked! What’s Your Plan?

June 8, 2022

If your organization suffers a cybersecurity incident, will you know how to respond? Travelers’ Enterprise Cyber Lead Tim Francis and Arete’s Charlie Platt joined Wednesdays with Woodward to share practical tips and key considerations when putting together a cyber incident response plan.

Storm Warning: Managing the Risk of Increasing Hurricane Catastrophes

June 1, 2022

June 1 marked the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. We welcomed leading authorities in hurricane forecasting and risk mitigation to discuss the 2022 season. We explored the latest thinking and advances in modeling, forecasting and mitigation to help insurance professionals, businesses and communities better understand and prepare for hurricane risks.

How’s My Driving? Telematics and the Insurance Experience

May 25, 2022

Auto insurance customers are increasingly saying ‘yes’ to telematics-based insurance programs. Industry leaders Peter Gulbrandsen of Travelers and Ryan McMahon of Cambridge Mobile Telematics joined us for an inside look at the evolution of usage-based insurance. 

Live from the 19th Hole: Behind the Scenes at the Travelers Championship

May 11, 2022

Back by popular demand, Travelers’ Andy Bessette and the Travelers Championship’s Nathan Grube joined Wednesdays with Woodward for a behind the scenes look at the Travelers Championship^® golf tournament. New this year, Bessette and Grube provided a virtual tour of the TPC River Highlands clubhouse where they met some of the people who make Connecticut’s world-class PGA TOUR^® golf event happen. 

Former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Lessons Learned from the Front Lines of the Pandemic

May 4, 2022

What are the best ways for families and business leaders to navigate the current phase of the pandemic? And what might the rest of 2022 bring? Former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams made a house call to our Wednesdays with Woodward^® program and shared his expertise and lessons learned from the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Future of Fighting Insurance Crime

April 20, 2022

How do you catch an insurance criminal? David J. Glawe of the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Nick Seminara of Travelers discussed the latest methods to root out insurance fraud and protect consumers. 

Level Up Your LinkedIn® Presence to Grow Your Business, Brand and Network

April 13, 2022

Are you using LinkedIn^® to its full potential? In this installment of Wednesdays with Woodward, we learned all about optimizing your LinkedIn^® with strategies to develop your brand, build your network, engage your audience and grow your business in the new world of social selling.

60 Minutes in Personal Insurance: Opportunities in a Changing Marketplace 

April 6, 2022

The Personal Insurance marketplace is rapidly evolving and insurance carriers and agents that can adapt and respond most effectively will achieve success. Travelers’ Personal Insurance leaders, Bill Zielinski and Loree Toedman shared the many challenges and opportunities facing the insurance industry and independent agents. 

Ready to Take Over? Driver Distraction in the Age of Automation

March 30, 2022

To kick off Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April 2022, we explored the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s new framework for rating partially automated vehicles and how well they help drivers stay focused on the road.

Global Hot Spots and Geopolitical Risks with Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

March 16, 2022

The invasion of Ukraine has sent shockwaves around the globe. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel shared his perspective on the implications of the conflict. We looked at how businesses can navigate the uncertain political and economic climate, including sanctions, energy supply, cybersecurity and supply chain, as well as how this crisis will impact other geopolitical issues, including U.S.-China relations.

Power Up: Growth Opportunities in Renewable Energy

March 2, 2022

With increasing global capacity and falling generation prices, sources like wind, solar, battery energy storage, biomass and other renewables will present significant growth opportunities in the years ahead. Duncan Frederick, Vice President of Business Development for Rosendin Renewable Energy Group, Justin Johnson, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Arevon and Eileen Kauffman, Vice President, Global Practice Leader for Renewable Energy at Travelers, joined us to explore the state of the market. 

“Who Gets What” - Setting Compensation After Tragedy

February 23, 2022

This installment of Wednesdays with Woodward^® featured a rare interview with Kenneth R. Feinberg, the preeminent mediation expert who has overseen high profile victims’ compensation funds, including for 9/11, the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Boston Marathon. Feinberg discussed the difficult process of deciding compensation after the tragic loss of human life.  

A Conversation with Johnson & Johnson CFO Joe Wolk

February 2, 2022

Johnson & Johnson’s EVP and CFO Joe Wolk joined us to discuss how the company navigates evolving marketplace dynamics and other global trends while also successfully investing in a pipeline of innovation and key commercial platforms to drive growth and elevate the global standard of care. 

Thrive: How Insurance Agents & Brokers Will Succeed in 2022

January 26, 2022

President and CEO of the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers Ken Crerar joined Travelers’ Pete Heard to discuss the keys to success at today’s top performing insurance agencies and firms amidst the ever-changing market landscape. 

Insuring the Rebuilding of America: What’s in the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Law? What Will It Mean for the U.S. Economy?

December 15, 2021

In this installment of Wednesdays with Woodward^®, we learned about the details and implementation of the new infrastructure law from the American Trucking Associations’ Chris Spear and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Ed Mortimer. With thousands of construction projects being generated, what will that mean for the economy and for business? Travelers’ surety expert, Bob Raney, spoke about the opportunities ahead for businesses in rebuilding America.

Cybersecurity Playbook: Creating your checklist

December 1, 2021

After a record-breaking turnout for our cybersecurity webinar in October, Travelers’ Jeff Klenk returned to Wednesdays with Woodward^® to get tactical on cyber preparedness. Jeff and leading cyber breach coach Jennifer Coughlin covered the top things businesses can do today to boost their cybersecurity.

Running with the Bulls: A Conversation with CNBC’s Sue Herera

November 17, 2021

CNBC Anchor at Large Sue Herera reflected on some of the most important stories of her broadcast tenure, including the dot-com bubble, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also covered what it was like to be one of the first women on a traditionally male beat, and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the world of financial reporting. 

The Pandemic-Era Opioid Crisis: Where Are We Now? How Can We Break the Cycle?

November 3, 2021

As the nation battles a global pandemic, the opioid crisis has remained another acute and complex public health crisis in need of innovative solutions. This installment of Wednesdays with Woodward^®  featured an impactful dialogue with the Milken Institute’s Sabrina Spitaletta and Travelers’ Rich Ives on the latest interventions that are providing hope for better health outcomes.

The Changing Risk Landscape: Underwriting for the “New Normal”

October 27, 2021

In insurance, strong underwriting results come from having a deep understanding of the variables that impact risk, both for individual customers and across a company’s portfolio of accounts. In a complex world of cyber hacks, pandemics, weather volatility and more, that is not always an easy task. Travelers’ Chief Underwriting Officer Rick Keegan headlined this thought-provoking session examining how recent U.S. and global challenges provided a stress test for the insurance industry’s underwriting processes. He shared unique perspectives on how Travelers is gathering insights and connecting knowledge about today’s complex risks to ensure the company stands by customers when the unexpected happens.

The Tech-Enabled Insurance Claim Revolution

October 20, 2021

Today’s insurance claims are being revolutionized with digital tools that increase efficiency and satisfaction. Travelers’ Patrick Gee took us inside the latest transformative innovations and explored what they mean for business and personal insurance customers.

The Fight Against Cyber Crime – from Prevention to Prosecution

October 6, 2021

This webinar provided an inside look at the public and private sector efforts to fight cyber crime and enhance cybersecurity. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Chang and Travelers’ Jeff Klenk explored the essential role that law enforcement has played in investigating and prosecuting cyber crime, especially in a period that saw a rapid rise in virtual activity. They also discussed how cyber insurers, in partnership with insurance agents and brokers, are handling the latest cybersecurity losses and advising clients on risk management practices. This informative discussion highlighted the synergies and common goals between sectors in an effort to reduce cyber crime. 

On the Horizon: The Future of Autonomous Vehicles

October 5, 2021

The Travelers Institute and Travelers Canada, in partnership with 10 Canadian broker associations, hosted a webinar discussing the topic of autonomous vehicles (AV's) and how they may impact roadway safety, and the future of auto liability and insurance within Canada. President and CEO of Travelers Canada, Heather Masterson, along with Ontario Associate Transportation Minister, Stan Cho, kicked off the session, followed by a panel discussion including speakers representing government and industry. 

High Risk? Marijuana Legalization and Roadway Safety

September 22, 2021

Americans can now purchase recreational marijuana products legally in 19 states, but what will that mean for road safety and how might these changing roadway risks impact insurance? In this installment of Wednesdays with Woodward^®, Matt Moore from the Highway Loss Data Institute, Christy Thiems from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and Bill Zielinski from Travelers provided their insights on this intriguing topic of marijuana and roadway safety.

David Wasserman on the U.S. Census, Redistricting and Rethinking Demographic and Political Trends

September 8, 2021

Calling all political nerds and data junkies! What do changing demographics, the 2020 U.S. Census and the redrawing of congressional districts mean for the next election? We kicked off our fall programming season with David Wasserman, one of the country’s top political forecasters and Senior Election Analyst of The Cook Political Report. Wasserman discussed what redistricting efforts across the country may mean for future U.S. election outcomes, his “retail theory” of American politics and what the 2020 Census results have revealed about demographic trends.

Insurance Market Insights: Emerging Trends to Watch

July 28, 2021

The Travelers Institute hosted Dr. Robert Hartwig for a candid conversation to understand what a post-pandemic world may look like for the property casualty insurance industry. This program reviewed the economic outlook, catastrophe losses, technology risks, COVID-19 concerns and the litigation climate to understand emerging trends for the industry.

Can You Innovate Like a Unicorn?

July 14, 2021

Innovation has become a critical priority for business. The speed of change has accelerated, and if you’re not staying ahead of consumer preferences, you risk getting left behind. So how does a company build innovation, agility and velocity into its DNA? What can today’s business leaders learn from the more than 850 “unicorns” around the world – those privately held start-ups that go from founding to valuations exceeding $1 billion in less than ten years?

In a recent episode of Wednesdays with Woodward®, Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward was joined by an expert panel for an in-depth conversation on learning to innovate like a unicorn.

Built to Last: The Connection Between ESG Issues and a Company’s Long-Term Success

June 30, 2021

In this Wednesdays with Woodward^® program, Joan Woodward was joined by former Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Patomak Global Partners CEO Paul Atkins and Travelers’ Chief Sustainability Officer Yafit Cohn. The speakers discussed why investors, customers, and employees are increasingly focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors when evaluating companies, what companies can do to keep up with these trends, as well as the current regulatory environment and anticipated disclosure requirements, and what they could mean for publicly traded companies.

Behind the Scenes at the NYSE: Everything You Want to Know About SPACs, IPOs and Direct Listings

June 16, 2021

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is a storied financial institution dating back nearly 230 years. Today it serves as the world’s largest equities exchange, where modern-day business innovators and disruptors can capitalize on opportunity in the public markets. In this program, the Travelers Institute provided a behind-the-scenes look at the NYSE and its parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and a crash course on today’s financial markets, led by Amanda Hindlian, NYSE’s Global Head of Capital Markets.

A Bright Future: Tackling a Global Pandemic

June 9, 2021

Back by popular demand, Dr. Mark McClellan, former FDA Commissioner and Director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, joined the Travelers Institute to provide an update on the fight against COVID-19. Nearly six months since the vaccine rollout began, Dr. McClellan shared lessons learned about effective distribution, fighting an evolving virus and what life may look like for families, businesses and schools in the second half of 2021 and beyond.

The Future of Cities

May 26, 2021

The Travelers Institute hosted a conversation on the future of cities in the post-pandemic era, including a look at two of the nation’s most vibrant urban centers, New York City and San Francisco. Kathryn S. Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City, and Jim Wunderman, President & CEO of the Bay Area Council, two champions of economic development and urban growth, shared their unique perspectives on how the pandemic has changed or accelerated trends and public policy priorities.

The Data-Driven Enterprise: Transforming Business in the Digital Age

May 19, 2021

The Travelers Institute hosted a conversation on the intersection of digital business trends and transformative technologies with Mojgan Lefebvre, Travelers' Chief Technology & Operations Officer and guest Dr. Tom Davenport, world-renowned author of The AI Advantage. They shared how leading-edge capabilities in everything from artificial intelligence (AI) to agile ways of working are forever changing business and the insurance industry.

Small Business - Big Opportunity®

May 12, 2021

How can small businesses stay ahead in today’s uncertain environment? Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Eric Nordquist, Executive Vice President and President of Small Commercial and Business Insurance Business Centers at Travelers identified actions that small business owners can take to access capital in the current environment.

Behind the Scenes at the Travelers Championship

May 5, 2021

Each June, the world’s top golfers gather at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell for the Travelers Championship^®, Connecticut’s annual PGA TOUR^® golf tournament. Speakers gave a sneak peek of this year’s tournament, happening June 21–27, and shared how all the excitement is brought to life.

Future Ready: Trends in Personal Insurance Distribution

April 28, 2021

Customer expectations are evolving. Are you keeping up? In this installment of the Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar series, Loree Toedman and Jay Gauthier from Travelers’ Personal Insurance team shared their philosophies on meeting customers where they are, giving them what they need and serving them how they want.

A Hopeful Spring: Vaccine Successes and Outlook

April 14, 2021

Brown University School of Public Health Dean Ashish Jha, M.D., MPH, joined this installment of the Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar series to share his outlook for containing the global pandemic. Dr. Jha provided an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States, vaccine hesitancy in the population and the latest virus variants.

The Art and Science of Behavior Change

March 31, 2021

To recognize Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, this session in the Wednesdays with Woodward^® webinar series convened thought leaders in public health communication for a look into the art and science of behavior change. Dr. Jay Winsten, Director for the Initiative on Media Strategies for Public Health at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University; Dr. Kit Delgado, Assistant Professor of Emergency & Epidemiology, Associate Director for the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, and Director of the Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction (BeSAFIR) Lab at the University of Pennsylvania; and Dr. Susan Kartiko, Assistant Professor of Surgery at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences joined Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward for the discussion.

Are You Recruiting Military Spouses Yet?

March 17, 2021

In this installment of the Wednesdays with Woodward® series, the Travelers Institute convened speakers from leading military support organizations to explore why employers should consider expanding their recruitment efforts to include military spouses. Joining the conversation was Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR, Director of the Military Service Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute; Colleen Deere, Executive Director of American Corporate Partners and Jim McMahon, Lead for Military & Veteran Outreach at Travelers.

Crash and Learn: An Inside Look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

March 3, 2021

You have probably heard of the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK ratings that assess vehicle safety. But do you know how these ratings are determined? This episode of the Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar series provided a behind-the-scenes look. 

The Changing Landscape of Insurance Distribution

February 17, 2021

Travelers’ Patrick Kinney, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Distribution Management, examines the insurance industry’s evolving distribution strategies and ongoing consolidation.

Geopolitics and Global Hot Spots for the New Administration

February 3, 2021

A host of geopolitical and foreign policy challenges await the Biden Administration in 2021. In this episode of the Wednesdays with Woodward^® webinar series, retired U.S. Navy Admiral Michael Rogers took us around the world to discuss global hot spots, pressing foreign policy issues, cybersecurity threats and takeaways for the business community.

On the Horizon: The Future of Autonomous Vehicles

January 27, 2021

Driverless ride-hailing programs, truck platoons and autonomous delivery vehicles – the future of our roads will undoubtedly look different from today. 

Weathering the Storm: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

December 2, 2020

For 10 years, researchers at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) have been studying natural disasters, testing different building materials and identifying ways to mitigate damage from severe weather events. In this episode of the Wednesdays with Woodward^® webinar series, we celebrated a decade of IBHS research with Roy Wright, IBHS President and CEO; Debra T. Ballen, IBHS General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer; and Eric M. Nelson, Travelers’ Senior Vice President of Enterprise Catastrophe Risk Management and IBHS Chairman of the Board.

Small Business in America: Where do we go from here?

November 18, 2020

Small business leaders across the country have faced innumerable challenges in 2020, from keeping their doors open and their employees safe to adapting to new business models. President & CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council Karen Kerrigan joined this installment of the Wednesdays with Woodward^® webinar series to unpack the results of the 2020 elections and tackle what’s ahead for small business legislation, both in the lame duck session of Congress and in 2021.

Resilience in Times of Uncertainty

November 4, 2020

Life is complicated, and some days can feel overwhelming. This is true now, more than ever given a polarizing political landscape and the ongoing pandemic. It’s important to take care of ourselves, so we can support family members, neighbors and our communities. In this installment of the Wednesdays with Woodward^® webinar series, Wendy Wollner walked attendees through self-care strategies and tips for building resilience during uncertain times.

Leading Through Crisis: A Conversation with Team Rubicon Co-Founder & CEO Jake Wood

October 28, 2020

In this installment of the Travelers Institute’s Wednesdays with Woodward^® webinar series, Team Rubicon Co-Founder and CEO Jake Wood shared strategies for leading through crisis, drawn from his experience on the battlefield and in disaster zones. Wood, a former U.S. Marine Scout Sniper, leads one of the fastest growing non-profit organizations in America, which repurposes the skills of military veterans to respond to disasters. Under his leadership, Team Rubicon has responded to over 700 disasters since 2010, including wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and now the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cybersecurity During the Pandemic

October 21, 2020

In honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Travelers' Cyber Risk Control Director Ken Morrison joined the Wednesdays with Woodward^® series to explore findings from the 2020 Travelers Risk Index. Morrison discussed the latest cybersecurity threats and trends and shared actions businesses can take to safeguard their networks.

Insurance Regulation: What You Need to Know Now

October 14, 2020

There is no lack of pressing regulatory issues facing the insurance industry today. From leading through a global pandemic to ensuring the preservation of risk-based pricing, thoughtful and responsible industry engagement across sectors is critical. Dr. David A. Sampson, President and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), and Glenn Westrick, Senior Vice President for Government Relations at Travelers, joined this episode of the Wednesdays with Woodward^® series to provide an inside look at key regulatory issues for 2021 and beyond.

Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset: Employee Safety During COVID-19

October 7, 2020

Protecting employee health and limiting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace is not a one-time event. In this webinar, representatives from Travelers Risk Control and the National Safety Council shared recommendations for employers to safely transition employees back to their workplace.

Crafting Your Comeback: An Interview with Ginny Brzezinski

September 30, 2020

This conversation featured Mika Brzezinski and Ginny Brzezinski, co-authors of "Comeback Careers: Rethink, Refresh, Reinvent Your Success - At 40, 50 and Beyond," and Ashley Wilson, Executive Director, Women Taking the Lead Program, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The group discussed strategies from job coaches and tips to overcome internal and external barriers to success.

An Inside Look at Intellidrive, Travelers' Telematics Program to Encourage Safer Driving Behaviors

September 2, 2020

This webinar explored how technology can help combat distracted driving - and why this issue is as important today as ever given current public health concerns. Speakers from Travelers and TrueMotion explained how IntelliDrive, Travelers' telematics app, works and how it is encouraging safer driving behaviors.

Life After Shelter in Place: A Conversation with Stanford University School of Medicine Dean Lloyd Minor, MD

August 19, 2020

While there are still many unknowns about COVID-19, we are all eager to restore a sense of normalcy to our lives. Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine offered a medical perspective on coronavirus, including what it will take to achieve widespread diagnostic and antibody testing, digital symptom tracking and contact tracing, the development of effective treatments and vaccines, and virtual health care. 

Liability Issues for Businesses in the Time of COVID-19

August 5, 2020

Business owners are preparing to reopen their doors, implementing enhanced safety measures to welcome back employees and customers. The successful reopening will be key to improving the economic health of communities across the country. But as they look forward to reopening, many business owners are concerned about potential liability related to COVID-19. In this webinar, the Travelers Institute explored liability issues for business owners and what can be done to help small businesses get back to business.

Emotional and Social Reintegration in the Age of COVID-19

July 22, 2020

Few global events in recent years have had the immediate and far-reaching economic, financial, social, emotional and health consequences as a previously unknown Coronavirus did and expect to continue to having in the coming months. Social restrictions are being eased, and we are seeing a return to the workplace, but the pandemic’s impact on physical and mental well-being may not be fully known for years. Dr. Marcos Iglesias joined the Travelers Institute for a discussion on employee stress and anxiety during this time.

PATH to Reopening Your Business

July 1, 2020

As states define guidelines for reopening after shutdowns related to COVID-19, every business needs a strong plan for a successful reopening of the workplace for customers and employees. The Travelers Institute and Risk Control team shared strategies to create a plan to reopen, how to apply a risk management approach to address COVID-19 and the four-step process that can help you safely get back to business.