Workforce Initiative
Exploring critical issues to meet today's evolving workforce needs
As the pace of change around us accelerates, organizations face new challenges and opportunities as they position themselves for the future. The Travelers Institute Forces at WorkSM initiative is an educational platform to help today’s leaders navigate the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace and prioritize employees and their well-being. Join us as we examine issues including:
- Risk management and insurance: Offering risk management strategies on topics such as workers compensation insurance, and insights to help protect employees and businesses.
- Labor market: Analyzing demographic shifts, hiring trends and other macro-level economic changes influencing the workforce.
- Leadership and management: Highlighting stories and strategies of effective leadership in times of rapid change.
- Talent and development: Providing strategies to attract, retain and develop talent across generations.
- Employee well-being: Promoting mental health, stress management and other aspects of holistic employee care.
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Logo: Travelers Institute (registered trademark), Travelers.
Text: Forces at Work (service mark).
The Travelers Institute logo appears on screens throughout the opulent New York Stock Exchange building as people collect merchandise from tables and gather in a hall with round tables. Joan Woodward addresses attendees from a podium.
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JOAN WOODWARD: We're coming to you live from the New York Stock Exchange, where moments ago, we rang the opening bell.
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Joan and other executives clap as they stand on the balcony after ringing the bell.
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Joan Woodward, President, Travelers Institute; Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Travelers.
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We're celebrating our 15th anniversary as the Travelers Institute at the beautiful, modern, yet elegant New York Stock Exchange. We created the Forces at Work initiative because we realized coming out of the pandemic, worker mental well-being was critical and crucial to employee happiness.
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A man hands Joan a pen to sign a book.
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PRESENTER: Our most notable tradition is the signing of the book. We have more than 30,000 signatories in this book.
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Ramona Tanabe, President and CEO, Workers Compensation Research Institute.
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RAMONA TANABE: There are forces that are happening in the world that are affecting workers comp. All of those things are on our research agenda.
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Rich Ives, Senior Vice President, Business Insurance Claims, Travelers.
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RICH IVES: We certainly see mental well-being as directly correlated to personal wellness and personal wellness being correlated to a business success.
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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
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JEROME ADAMS: I'm here today, really, to talk about how being kind to one another, how being empathetic can make us feel better about ourselves and can create an environment where people feel comfortable discussing their mental health and mental wellness.
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Mojgan Lefebvre - Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Travelers.
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MOJGAN LEFEBVRE: We're going to be talking about how we blend technology and talent development to create a culture of continuous growth and continuous learning.
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A man hugs Joan, who then poses with the other executives after signing the book.
Logo: Travelers Institute (registered trademark), Travelers. TravelersInstitute.org. Disclaimer: Copyright 2025. Images of NYSE Group Inc., including the images of the New York Stock Exchange Trading Floor and the facade of the New York Stock Exchange, the design of each of which is a federally registered service mark of NYSE Group Inc., are used with permission of NYSE Group Inc. and its affiliated companies. Neither NYSE Group Inc., nor its affiliated companies sponsor, approve of, or endorse the contents of this publication. Neither NYSE Group Inc., nor its affiliated companies recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities or investments. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities and investment practices.
Introducing Forces at Work at the New York Stock Exchange
The Travelers Institute rang the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell® to celebrate the launch of the Forces at Work initiative and cap off our 15th anniversary. Watch the video to relive the excitement.
Want more? Dive into a special extended episode of Wednesdays with Woodward® – livestreamed from the Board Room of the New York Stock Exchange – to explore the state of mental health in America and more.
Featured publications
Investing in Mental Well-Being: A Guide for Employers
Mental health is no longer a topic to be avoided at work. It's a critical factor impacting employee well-being, productivity and overall business success. This white paper explores the importance of mental health in the workplace and introduces strategies employers can implement to help create a supportive and thriving environment.
2025 M&A Study: A Travelers Special Report
Travelers surveyed more than 800 risk and insurance professionals to understand their views on the top risks businesses face from mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity (PE) deals – both today and in the future. Drawing on key insights from the study, Travelers created this playbook to help business leaders and risk professionals navigate the complexities of M&A and PE transactions, mitigate risks and drive successful outcomes.
2024 CFO Study: A Travelers Special Report
We surveyed chief financial officers in insurance decision-making roles for companies with 500+ employees across a mix of industries to learn about the challenges they face. From workforce trends to macroeconomic factors, find out what influences their decision-making and keeps CFOs up at night. Get insights that can help you better serve this otherwise difficult-to-reach audience.
Event highlights
Beyond Benefits: Building Personalized Mental Health Support at Work
November 19, 2025
Mental health challenges affect millions of American adults, costing over $210 billion annually in direct treatment costs. Employers face additional losses from reduced productivity, absenteeism and turnover. In this webinar, speakers discussed how employers can proactively improve mental well-being with personalized care strategies.
Strategic Connections: Short-Term Negotiation Tactics for Long-Term Success
October 29, 2025
In the complex world of insurance and risk management, how do you negotiate effectively without compromising long-term relationships? John Burrows, Ph.D., joined us to share real-world examples of successful trust-based bargaining, reveal how network structures impact business resilience and provide actionable strategies to elevate your negotiation skills.
Mastering M&A: Risk Management in Manufacturing Transitions
October 15, 2025
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the manufacturing sector creates a complex risk landscape for companies in transition. How are risk managers responding, and how can insurance agents and brokers support their manufacturing clients? Watch this webinar replay to discover what's driving manufacturing expansion and how risk teams are adapting to challenges.
Mastering M&A: Opportunities and Challenges in Tech and Life Sciences
September 17, 2025
In part two of our webinar series on mergers and acquisitions, we explored Travelers’ 2025 M&A study findings on tech and life sciences. Uncover data trends, regional differences and insights from executives and risk professionals.
Overload: How Employers Can Help Maxed-Out Caregivers
September 10, 2025
With 53 million Americans providing unpaid care for loved ones* and many contemplating reducing hours or leaving jobs entirely, caregiving has a transformative impact on America’s workforce. Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, co-founder and CEO of Wellthy, joined Travelers Greg Landmark to explore how employers can help families navigate healthcare complexities while retaining talent and boosting productivity.
*Milken Institute, “Supporting Family Caregiving: How Employers Can Lead”
Recruiting Your Rising Stars: Engaging the Insurance Industry’s Emerging Talent
July 23, 2025
Who are the students and emerging professionals in insurance and risk management today, and what are they looking for in future employers? In this webinar, we discussed how the insurance industry can create meaningful career pathways and rewarding careers for tomorrow’s rising stars.
Related reading
- From Forecast to Forefront: New Research on the CFO’s Strategic Mindset
- 7 Tips for Smart, Data-Driven Risk Management in the Age of Workforce Transformation
- Navigating Modern Business Risk in the Face of Accelerating Economic Headwinds
- Spotlighting Workplace Risk
- How Good Workplace Mental Health Helps Improve Injury Recovery Rates
News
The art of negotiation: Benchmark, bundle, trade
November 13, 2025 | Carrier Management
Industrial M&A ramps up as tariffs settle in, interest rates drop and funds are flush
November 12, 2025 | Manufacturing Dive
Employee caregiver support
October 31, 2025 | The Rough Notes Company, Inc.
Industry expert calls for holistic approach to driver mental health and wellness
October 3, 2025 | Freightwaves
Putting risk management front and center in dealmaking
June 23, 2025 | CFO Brew
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Images of NYSE Group, Inc., including the images of the New York Stock Exchange Trading Floor and the Façade of the New York Stock Exchange, the design of each of which is a federally registered service mark of NYSE Group, Inc., are used with permission of NYSE Group, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Neither NYSE Group, Inc. nor its affiliated companies sponsor, approve of or endorse the contents of this publication. Neither NYSE Group, Inc. nor its affiliated companies recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities or investments. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities and investment practices.