
Professional Development Institute 2025
Each year, scholars in the Travelers EDGE program participate in the annual Professional Development Institute (PDI) hosted by Travelers Insurance. The program aims to boost college enrollment among local high school students, support their graduation through scholarships and academic guidance, and promote awareness of careers in insurance and financial services by offering a combination of professional development, internships, and mentorship opportunities.
PDI initiated with an inspirational and engaging speech from Tara Spain. She spoke about having a degree in marketing but not letting that determine the different opportunities that came her way through her connections made from networking; which initially led to where she is at now as the Vice President of Travelers Foundation. Tara’s speech helped establish the mood for the rest of PDI and encouraged scholars to remember that networking is not only essential to making connections but is also necessary in building relationships that can lead to growth, support, learning, and opportunities that ultimately contribute to your long-term success.
The annual networking dinner was held on the second day of PDI where scholars have the opportunity to connect with Travelers employees and leaders. Earlier that day there was a speech on the importance of small talk by Lynn Simon-Thomas and Melissa Strother that gave scholars networking tips through lighthearted analogies. Many of the first year scholars that haven’t attended PDI before did not know what to expect, and most would agree it sounds overwhelming and a bit intimidating. But Lynn and Melissa’s speech sets a refreshing and relaxing mood for many scholars as they make their way to the event. The networking dinner itself went smoothly and was a great experience for scholars to make meaningful connections and conversations with Travelers employees, leaders, as well as each other.
Let’s hear from two Scholars about their PDI experience:

Hello everyone! My name is Adamina Moua, a sophomore studying Marketing at Augsburg University. As a first year Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment) scholar, I am thankful for this program that has granted me the opportunities to develop academically, professionally, and personally with the guidance of wonderful mentors. In early January my EDGE cohort headed to Hartford, Connecticut, for PDI to advance our professional skills as well as connecting with other scholars within the program. It was a beautiful event that hosted a great space for new and returning scholars to expand our professional skills through (1) interactive team-building workshops, (2) inspiring and motivational speakers, (3) educational presentations, and (4) a networking dinner that allowed us to create new connections with professionals from all different career backgrounds. One of the many things that I’ll be taking with me from this experience is to remember to take care of the 8 aspects of self-sustainability so that I can show up as my best self in all aspects of my life. Again I want to thank Travelers, Travelers Claim University, Ivelisse Maldonado and all the other hard-working people for making this wonderful event possible.

Hello everyone! My name is Poe Meh and I’m a first year EDGE scholar at Augsburg University studying Accounting. I am very grateful to be a part of the Travelers EDGE program because of the opportunities it has opened up to me including strong support from advisors and mentors, internship opportunities, financial support, and the annual PDI. During the first week of January, the EDGE cohort at Augsburg attended PDI in Connecticut, Hartford where we were able to connect with other scholars in the program. Because it is my first year as an EDGE scholar and my first time attending PDI, I did not know what to expect from the event but when we started the first day of PDI with getting together to draw and pack art kits for kids, it made me much less tense heading into the second and third day of PDI. I learned many valuable lessons ranging from professional skills such as networking tips to personal skills such as self-sustainability. My first PDI made me realize that it is important to have great networking skills to build and maintain connections as those relationships could help us get better professionally and personally. It also opened my eyes on what Travelers have to offer as a company to its employees, customers, and community due to the speeches and workshops that we did during PDI. Lastly, I want to thank Ivelisse, Travelers, the other scholars, and all the Travelers employees and leaders for making this year’s PDI a significant opportunity for both new and returning scholars to expand their skills professionally and personally.
Blog post written by Adamina Moua and Poe Meh.