Forces at Work Symposium at the New York Stock Exchange

Forces at Work, Travelers Institute, Travelers

April 7, 2025

Monday 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET

Have questions about this program? Contact institute@travelers.com.

From labor market fluctuations to shifting employee expectations, today’s workforce is evolving at an unprecedented pace. In this special extended episode of Wednesdays with Woodward^®, the Travelers Institute broadcasted live from the Board Room of the New York Stock Exchange to explore the challenges and opportunities brought on by these changes. Thought leaders from across government and industry shared insights to help your organization thrive in an increasingly complex environment. Sessions in this symposium explored the state of mental health in America, drawing on insights from workers compensation, how leaders can prioritize the mental well-being of their workforce and the latest labor market trends affecting hiring and retention strategies, with a special focus on technology.

Keynote Address – Mental Health in America: A View from the 20th U.S. Surgeon General: How is mental health evolving in America? And how does mental well-being fit into the broader national conversation about health? Dr. Jerome M. Adams, the 20th U.S. Surgeon General and Executive Director of Purdue University’s Health Equity Initiatives and Center for Community Health Enhancement and Learning, provided his unique perspective on this critical issue. Drawing from his extensive experience as the nation’s top doctor, Adams offered expert insights into the current challenges and opportunities in addressing mental well-being and thoughts on a path forward.
Session 1: From Awareness to Action – Creating a Mental Health Action Plan for Your Organization: From stress and burnout to substance use disorders, this session provided a comprehensive framework for understanding mental health as a continuum. Our expert panel shared their insights on how organizations can proactively identify and implement the necessary resources to support mental health and effectively connect employees to these resources. Additionally, they discussed the latest trends in workers compensation programs and their role in the broader context of employee well-being. We had an engaging conversation as we discussed how to raise awareness and develop actionable plans to address mental health in your workplace.
Session 2: The Intersection of Tech and Talent – A Leadership View of Today’s Labor Market: In today’s competitive labor market, attracting, hiring and retaining top talent requires a well-executed strategy that positions your organization for the future. Dan Helfrich, Principal and former Chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP, and Mojgan Lefebvre, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Operations Officer at Travelers, shared leadership insights on how high-performing companies are adopting innovative talent strategies, especially in the rapidly evolving tech sector.

Timeline

10:00 a.m.    Welcoming remarks
10:10 a.m.    Keynote address
10:30 a.m.    Session 1
11:30 a.m.    Break
11:40 a.m.    Session 2
12:30 p.m.    Program concludes

Keynote speaker

Session 1 speakers

Jerome Adams headshot
Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., FASA
20th U.S. Surgeon General; Executive Director, Health Equity Initiatives and the Center for Community Health Enhancement and Learning, Purdue University

Ramona Tanabe headshot
Ramona Tanabe
President and CEO, Workers Compensation Research Institute

Rich Ives headshot
Rich Ives
Senior Vice President, Business Insurance Claim, Travelers

Session 2 speakers

Dan Helfrich headshot
Dan Helfrich
Principal and former Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Mojgan Lefebvre headshot
Mojgan Lefebvre
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Travelers

Host

Joan Woodward headshot
Joan Woodward
President, Travelers Institute; Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Travelers

Presented by

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