Tara N. Spain is vice president and chief operating officer of the Travelers Foundation and assistant vice president of community relations at Travelers.
She is responsible for the strategy and operations of the company’s philanthropic activities, overseeing data, analytics and finances, as well as key national partnerships focused on economic empowerment and inclusion.
Spain is also highly engaged in the community, sitting on the boards of directors for ReSET and Usher’s New Look, as well as serving as an advisor for the MetroHartford Alliance’s racial equity and economic development committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
What has been your biggest professional accomplishment so far?
My biggest accomplishment and a highlight of my career has been launching an innovative talent pipeline at Travelers called Travelers EDGE. This program, now in its 15th year, has helped more than 300 underrepresented students gain access to higher education and prepare them for careers in the insurance and financial services industries.
What’s the next big goal that you want to accomplish professionally?
I try not to set my sights on one major goal and instead keep my options open and fluid. That said, if I had to narrow it down, I would say that I’d like to focus more on helping other women realize their potential, preferably in the corporate citizenship space.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
I tend to take on a lot of responsibility, and at times, it can feel overwhelming. I’m learning to prioritize, focus on self-care and set boundaries, all of which are helping me balance my time at work and home.
Who has been your most important mentor, and why?
My most important mentor has been my manager, Marlene Ibsen. I’ve worked with Marlene for nearly 20 years and have known her throughout my entire career. I’ve learned so much from her leadership style. She’s taught me to trust my instincts, take risks and give myself space to make mistakes.