Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience
On the Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience podcast, Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward engages experts to explore issues at the intersection of business, insurance and public policy. Each episode offers unique perspectives and practical advice on managing risk and building resilience in a rapidly evolving world. The Travelers Institute is the public policy division of Travelers, a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. Learn more at www.TravelersInstitute.org. This program is offered for informational and educational purposes only. You should consult with your financial, legal, insurance or other advisors about any practices suggested by this...
Travelers Across America: Spotlighting Resilient Build and Design in Los Angeles
This special edition of the Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience podcast is the second episode in a four-part series highlighting Travelers Across America – a unique initiative that reflects Travelers’ long-standing commitment to strengthening community resilience.
Host Janice Brunner, Head of Civic Engagement and Corporate Affairs at Travelers, was joined by leaders from the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation, the Getty Conservation Institute and Case Study: Adapt to discuss how Travelers is partnering to deliver innovative landscape hardening, which protects one of America’s most iconic midcentury modern homes from wildfire threats. They explored how this groundbreaking restoration effort...
A Tale of Two Economies with Marisa DiNatale of Moody’s
The Travelers Institute hosted Marisa DiNatale, Senior Director and Head of Global Forecasting at Moody’s Analytics, for a deep dive on the economy. She shared her macroeconomic outlook and her perspective on what businesses and individuals should be watching for in the months ahead.
This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Forces at Work initiative, an educational platform that helps today’s leaders navigate the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace and prioritize employees and their well-being.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travele...
Facing Today's Cyber Threat Landscape: Turning Threat Intel into Action
Cyber risk experts and claim professionals joined the Travelers Institute for a deep dive into the latest quarterly Travelers Cyber Threat Report and the most important trends we’re seeing across the threat landscape, including ransomware activity. Lauren Winchester, Head of Cyber Risk Services at Travelers, Christine Mapes, Managing Director & Counsel, Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim at Travelers, and David Kruse, Director of Insurance Alliances at Arctic Wolf, helped translate threat intelligence into practical insights. They also explained what these trends mean for real-world operations, where organizations are most exposed and which actions can meaningfully reduce risk.
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Facing Today's Cyber Threat Landscape: Turning Threat Intel into Action
Cyber risk experts and claim professionals joined the Travelers Institute for a deep dive into the latest quarterly Travelers Cyber Threat Report and the most important trends we’re seeing across the threat landscape, including ransomware activity. Lauren Winchester, Head of Cyber Risk Services at Travelers, Christine Mapes, Managing Director & Counsel, Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim at Travelers, and David Kruse, Director of Insurance Alliances at Arctic Wolf, helped translate threat intelligence into practical insights. They also explained what these trends mean for real-world operations, where organizations are most exposed and which actions can meaningfully reduce risk.
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Facing Today’s Cyber Threat Landscape: Turning Threat Intel into Action
Cyber risk experts and claim professionals joined the Travelers Institute for a deep dive into the latest quarterly Travelers Cyber Threat Report and the most important trends we’re seeing across the threat landscape, including ransomware activity. Lauren Winchester, Head of Cyber Risk Services at Travelers, Christine Mapes, Managing Director & Counsel, Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim at Travelers, and David Kruse, Director of Insurance Alliances at Arctic Wolf, helped translate threat intelligence into practical insights. They also explained what these trends mean for real-world operations, where organizations are most exposed and which actions can meaningfully reduce risk.
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Geopolitics and the Global Risk Landscape
The conflict in the Middle East has sent shock waves around the globe. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William “Dave” Beydler, former Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy at U.S. Central Command and later Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, U.S. Central Command, joined us to share insights on military strategy in Iran and the region. He weighed in on the current global geopolitical landscape, the changing nature of global conflicts today, U.S. alliances and national security challenges. A career naval aviator who served more than 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. Beydler also disc...
Power of the Pivot: Leading Through Imperfect Conditions
Golf and leadership share the same principle: Small decisions, repeated effectively, create big results. Ashaunta Epps, LPGA Top 50 Best Teacher and Class A Member and CEO/Founder of A Perfect Swing, Inc., joined us to share step-by-step insights from her book “A Perfect Swing: Lessons in Perseverance, Purpose, and Preparation from the Fairway of Life.” Epps discussed how to strengthen focus in high-pressure moments, make strategic decisions with clarity, manage stress and build confidence through repeatable fundamentals – on and off the course.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/leading...
Travelers Across America: Building Community Resilience in New Orleans
This special edition of the Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience podcast is the first episode in a four-part series highlighting Travelers Across America – a unique initiative that reflects Travelers’ long-standing commitment to strengthening community resilience.
Host Janice Brunner, Group General Counsel and Head of Civic Engagement and Corporate Affairs at Travelers, was joined by leaders from the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and the Louisiana Department of Insurance to discuss Travelers’ partnership to deliver critical repairs that strengthen historic homes against hurricanes and flooding. They explored how cross-sector collaboration both protects historic landmarks and strengthens neighborh...
America’s Shrinking Workforce: How Demographic Trends Are Reshaping the U.S. Economy
For the first time, the U.S. is facing a future where each generation is smaller than the last, even as people live longer than ever. Luke Pardue, co-editor of the Aspen Economic Strategy Group’s landmark report series “Demographic Headwinds: The Economic Consequences of Lower Birth Rates and Longer Lives,” joined us to explore what these trends mean for labor markets, public finances and businesses – and the strategies that could ease the pressure ahead.
This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Forces at WorkSM initiative, an educational platform to help today’s leaders...
Mental Health at Work: Workforce Well-Being Guidance for Leaders and Teams
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. Speakers from Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living, the American Psychiatric Association and Travelers explored mental health as a continuum and its connection to workplace safety. The panel provided actionable mental health strategies for leaders and managers to help them support worker well-being, strengthen organizational resilience and better understand emerging trends in workers compensation programs.
This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Forces at WorkSM initiative, an educa...
The Changing Liability Environment: What Leaders Need to Know
With over $2.5 billion spent on legal advertising in 2024 alone, the American legal landscape is transforming, with profound business implications. Rich Ives, Senior Vice President of Business Insurance Claim at Travelers, joined us to examine the forces behind today’s liability environment: evolving litigation tactics, changing social attitudes, technology’s role in claim acceleration and economic pressures inflating awards. Drawing from Travelers’ frontline experience, Rich discussed tort reform status and provided practical protection strategies to navigate these complex challenges.
This program is presented as part of the Travelers Institute’s Risk. Regulation. Resilience. Responsibility.SM initiative, addressing...
Leadership Growth: From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
In an era of unprecedented business complexity, how do leaders position themselves for C-suite success while building resilient organizations? Byron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory at Nasdaq and co-author of the new book “CEO Ready: What You Need to Know to Earn the Job and Keep the Job,” joined us to discuss leading effectively through uncertainty, provide best practices for building high-impact leadership teams and explore succession planning strategies that work for organizations of any size. This session is for anyone looking to advance their career or strengthen their leadership effectiveness in today’s dynamic business environment.
<...Real Estate Market Outlook with National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
What’s the latest in the real estate market and what does it mean for the broader economy? Today’s residential market faces ongoing inventory constraints and affordability challenges, while commercial properties must adapt to new work patterns and investment strategies. National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun joined us to discuss the state of the residential and commercial markets and what that means for buyers, sellers, renters, investors and the insurance industry.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/real-estate-market-outlook.
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Stewarding the Future of Insurance with Travelers EVP Michael Klein
What does it take to navigate a 35-year career in insurance from entry-level actuary to executive leadership?
Travelers EVP and President of Personal Insurance Michael Klein recently joined Conner Insurance’s Risk & Resolve podcast to break down his remarkable journey in the insurance industry.
In this special Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience episode, we’re sharing the conversation Michael had with Risk & Resolve hosts Ben Conner and Todd Hufford. Michael offered candid insights about career setbacks that ultimately positioned him for greater success, the importance of professional advocates and the vast opportunities within the insurance industr...
Beyond Benefits: Building Personalized Mental Health Support at Work
Mental health challenges affect millions of American adults, costing over $210 billion annually in direct treatment costs, according to the National Institutes of Health. Employers shoulder many of those direct costs as well as losses from reduced productivity, absenteeism and turnover. April Koh, co-founder and CEO of Spring Health, joined Travelers’ Greg Landmark to share how employers can play a proactive role in improving mental well-being in America. This webinar explored the compelling business case for employer mental health support, examined real-world success stories and provided actionable strategies your organization can implement to move beyond generic wellness programs to truly personaliz...
The Evolving Property Insurance Landscape: Strategic Response and Agent Participation
What's driving the changes in today's complex property insurance market, and how can we turn challenges into opportunities to better serve customers? Angi Orbann, National Property Lead and Vice President of Property, Personal Insurance, and Dan DiMugno, Assistant Vice President, Risk Management, Personal Insurance, both from Travelers, joined us to examine how the company views evolving market pressures. Learn how Travelers is using innovative solutions and analytics to better assess customer needs and help them protect their home investment. Also get insights into the critical role agents play in helping customers understand their exposure and make informed decisions.
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Strategic Connections: Short-Term Negotiation Tactics for Long-Term Success
In the complex world of insurance and risk management, how do you negotiate effectively without compromising long-term relationships? John Burrows, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago and Associate Fellow at Oxford University, joined us to explore practical tools and approaches to the ‟negotiator’s dilemma” – knowing when to compete and when to collaborate. He shared real-world examples of successful trust-based bargaining, revealed how network structures impact business resilience and provided actionable strategies to elevate your negotiation skills while developing the relationship capital that drives sustainable success.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: htt...
Overload: How Employers Can Help Maxed-Out Caregivers
With 53 million Americans providing unpaid care for loved ones and many considering reducing work hours or leaving jobs, caregiving significantly impacts America's workforce. Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, co-founder and CEO of Wellthy, and Greg Landmark, Senior Vice President of Total Rewards and People Analytics at Travelers, joined Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward to discuss how employers can address this challenge. They explored the business case for caregiver support, effective strategies including flexible work arrangements and specialized benefits, and how employers can help families navigate the complexities of caregiving while retaining talent and boosting productivity.
Watch the original W...
Global Cyber Resilience: Lessons from Former White House and CISA Leader Jeff Greene
Drawing from his extensive government and private sector experience, Jeff Greene, former Assistant Executive Director for Cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), former Chief of Cyber Response and Policy on the National Security Council, Distinguished Fellow at the Aspen Institute and Founder of Salty Coffee Consulting, explored how public-private partnerships strengthen critical infrastructure protection, highlighted emerging threat actors, discussed the latest cybercrime tactics and shared practical strategies businesses can implement to enhance their cyber resilience. Check out the conversation to gain actionable insights from a seasoned expert who has helped shape national cybersecurity policy and learn h...
What Do Today’s Students Want from Insurance Employers? Insights from Gamma Iota Sigma
At the 2025 Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) Annual Conference, GIS Board of Trustees Member and Travelers President of Personal Insurance Michael Klein sat down with GIS Executive Director Grace Grant to discuss what today’s students seek in their future careers in insurance. They explored the evolving student perspective, the importance of mentorship, and strategies for attracting and retaining talent. If you’re a hiring manager in the insurance industry, this episode is for you. Listen now for insights to build a strong pipeline of future professionals.
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GIS is an international professional student organization that prom...
Recruiting Your Rising Stars: Engaging the Insurance Industry’s Emerging Talent
Who are the students and emerging professionals in insurance and risk management today, and what are they looking for in future employers? What do they value most when making career decisions? Gamma Iota Sigma Board of Trustees member and Travelers Executive Vice President and Personal Insurance President Michael Klein, Denise Perlman, Chief Executive Officer of Middle Market at Aon, and Robert Hartwig, Ph.D., CPCU, Associate Clinical Professor of Finance and Director of the Risk and Uncertainty Management Center at the University of South Carolina, shared their unique insights both as leaders in the industry and as mentors for eme...
Strategic Risk Management Throughout the M&A Journey
With over 9,000 merger and acquisition (M&A) deals closing in 2024, how prepared is your organization for a merger or acquisition? Travelers’ 2024 CFO study found that 70% of CFOs say they have had to navigate M&A activity. Whether the deal closes or not, it’s creating stress in their jobs and for their teams. And while successful M&As require strategic risk management at every stage, 38% of respondents admit to only having reactive risk management programs. Listen to learn about key findings from the 2025 M&A Study: A Travelers Special Report.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Wood...
How Is the Transportation Industry Fighting Back against Cargo Theft?
With the surge in frequency and severity of cargo theft across the globe, we dug deep into this multibillion-dollar business. Our panel of experts discussed recent trends, including the surge in strategic theft, and their impact on the transportation industry and the many industries that need to ship their goods across land and sea. They also shared how Travelers’ Special Investigations Group stays one step ahead of these organized crime rings.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/cargo-theft.
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Navigating Professional Life with a Chronic Condition
Diagnosed at the height of her career, Ann Marie Colapietro of Travelers is one of the nearly 10 million people worldwide living with Parkinson’s disease. Ann Marie and Dr. J. Antonelle de Marcaida joined us to offer both personal and medical perspectives on living vibrantly with Parkinson’s and other chronic diseases and illnesses.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/parkinsons-resilience.
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How Travelers Advances Cyber Offerings with Corvus Acquisition
Pete Herron and Madhu Tadikonda of Travelers spoke about the company’s acquisition of Corvus, an industry-leading cyber insurance managing general underwriter, and what this partnership means for Travelers agents, brokers and insureds.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/cybersecurity-partnership
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Sustainability at Travelers with Yafit Cohn
In this episode, Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward and Travelers Chief Sustainability Officer Yafit Cohn discuss the meaning of sustainability in the corporate context. They explore Travelers’ approach to sustainability, how it may differ from that of other companies, and how our business strategy and performance are inextricably linked with the Travelers Promise to take care of our customers, our communities and each other. The conversation also covers what goes into producing the annual Sustainability Report and shares key highlights to watch for this year.
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Explore Travelers’ annual Sustainability Report: sustainability.travelers.com
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Mindset for Success on the Course and in Your Career with Dr. Mo Pickens
What mindset lessons can we learn from sports? With golf season in full swing, we brought in Dr. Mo Pickens, renowned sports psychologist and golf coach. Dr. Mo shared insights on mindset, framing and routine, and how these important principles can help you succeed on the course and in your career.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/mindset-for-success.
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Part 2 of 2: Forces at Work Symposium at the New York Stock Exchange
From labor market fluctuations to shifting employee expectations, today’s workforce is evolving at an unprecedented pace. In this two-part series, 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.
Listen to Part 1.
In Part 2, 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 into today’s competitive labor market and discussed the ways that high-per...
Part 1 of 2: Forces at Work Symposium at the New York Stock Exchange
From labor market fluctuations to shifting employee expectations, today’s workforce is evolving at an unprecedented pace. In this two-part series, 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.
In Part 1, Dr. Jerome M. Adams, the 20th U.S. Surgeon General and Executive Director, Health Equity Initiatives and the Center for Community Health Enhancement and Learning, Purdue University, gave a keynote on the current challenges and opportunities in addressing mental well-being and thoughts on a path forward. He...
How Did You Sleep Last Night? Understanding the Fascinating Science of Sleep
Most people will spend about a third of their life asleep. So why do we sleep? Dr. Matt Walker, Professor of Neuroscience at UC Berkeley, joined us for an eye-opening look at how the power of sleep impacts health, aging, lifespan, learning and so much more.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/science-of-sleep
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Crash and Learn with IIHS
Tucked in the foothills of central Virginia, 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 gave a behind-the-scenes look at how this important work, supported by Travelers and the insurance industry, is helping consumers make informed decisions about their auto purchases and encouraging automakers to produce safer vehicles.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/crash-and-learn-0614
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Unlocking Your Potential: Lessons in Leadership and Influence
What is influence and how do we build more of it?
Those are the questions behind Laura Cox Kaplan’s weekly podcast, She Said/She Said. Laura joined us to share career and leadership lessons learned from the hundreds of leaders she’s interviewed since she started her podcast seven years ago. From embracing different viewpoints and building resilience to turning failure into growth and having greater impact, she shared insights from entrepreneurs, C-suiters and more.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/lessons-leadership-influence
Resilience and Hope: Geralyn Ritter’s Story of Survival
How do we find hope and resilience when faced with unimaginable trauma or even everyday challenges? In 2015, Geralyn Ritter was returning from a business trip when her train derailed at 106 mph. She was not expected to live. Geralyn spent the next several years undergoing dozens of surgical procedures, on total disability leave from her job, and facing the mental health challenges associated with physical trauma and pain. She joined us to share her journey back to life as mom, wife and CEO. Be inspired by her story and lessons learned finding strength – and hope – in adversity.
Wa...
The Geopolitical Landscape: Key Challenges for the New Administration
What are the foreign policy and national security issues facing the new administration, and how will they affect U.S. businesses?
On this podcast episode, recorded Feb. 5, Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward and Michael Mazarr, Senior Political Scientist at RAND, discuss key geopolitical challenges, global hot spots and takeaways for the business community.
Watch the original Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar: https://institute.travelers.com/webinar-series/symposia-series/global-dynamics-us-businesses-webinar
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2025 U.S. Economic Outlook with Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Dr. Mark Zandi
What lies ahead for the U.S. and broader economy in 2025?
On this podcast episode, recorded on Jan. 15, Dr. Mark Zandi joined Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward for an in-depth analysis of important trends impacting the economic landscape. He provided insights into economic decisions facing the White House and Congress that could affect tax rates for U.S. households and businesses.
As you plan for the year ahead, listen to this podcast to learn more about the challenges and opportunities shaping the economy today.
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Labor Market Outlook: A Conversation with LinkedIn® Economist Dr. Kory Kantenga
From the ‟Great Reshuffle” to the ‟Big Stay,” hiring managers and business leaders have had to constantly adapt to recent labor market trends.
On this podcast episode, Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward shares a conversation her colleague and Travelers Institute VP of Public Policy, Jessica Kearney, had with LinkedIn®’s Head of Economics for the Americas, Kory Kantenga, Ph.D. They explored how economic and demographic changes are shaping the current labor market and how these trends could factor into your hiring and retention strategies in 2025.
Follow Kory on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...
AI in Action: The Future of Risk Management Through Predict & Prevent®
On this podcast episode, Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward shares a conversation she had with Peter Miller, CPCU, President and CEO of The Institutes, to hear his thoughts on the transformative potential of the Predict & Prevent® model in risk management and insurance. He explored how this proactive approach could leverage artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety for policyholders, minimize disruptions to their businesses and daily lives, and reduce associated costs for insurance companies.
Learn more about The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/
Learn more about Predict & Prevent®: https://www.predictandprevent.org...
Mastering Market Shifts: What Independent Insurance Professionals Need to Know
Are you looking for strategies to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in today’s dynamic insurance environment?
On this podcast episode, Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward revisits a conversation she had with Charles Symington, President and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), and Sean Ramalho, EVP, Enterprise Distribution Management at Travelers.
Listen as they explore the evolving insurance landscape for independent agents and brokers and share how the Big “I” is supporting its members. Charles also digs into new findings from the Agency Universe Study by Future...
Future-Focused: Strategies for Engaging Emerging Talent
Why and how should organizations invest in emerging talent? What are the best strategies for recruiting and retaining tomorrow’s business leaders?
On this podcast episode, Travelers Institute President Joan Woodward shares a conversation she had with Shawn VanDerziel, President and CEO of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and Travelers employees Bruce Soltys, VP, Emerging Talent, and Diana Sanchez, Manager, Economic & Public Policy Insights.
Listen as they discuss strategies, lessons and resources for attracting emerging talent in insurance and beyond.
Learn more about careers at Travelers: https://ww...
Driving the Transformation Agenda in P&C Insurance
How can organizations leverage technology to drive optimal business outcomes?
Travelers EVP and Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Mojgan Lefebvre, joined the InsurTalk podcast to answer this question and more.
In this special Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience episode, we’re sharing the conversation Mojgan had with InsurTalk host and Guidewire Software Chief Evangelist Laura Drabik. Mojgan shared strategic pillars of successful transformation initiatives and her insights on how to leverage technology.
Learn more about InsurTalk and subscribe: https://guidewireinsurtalk.podbean.com/
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