Susan Johnson is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford, responsible for leading enterprise-wide DEI initiatives and aligning them with business, sustainability and talent strategies. She partners with leaders across the organization to create inclusive and equitable work environments and realize a culture that enables all employees to be and do their best. Susan worked alongside a group of racially diverse insurance industry leaders gathered to address the challenge of increasing the representation of people of color within the insurance industry, which led to the creation of the Black Insurance Industry Collective (BIIC) whose goals are to accelerate the advancement of Black professionals in the insurance industry and increase the representation of Black leaders at the executive level. Susan will discuss the mission of the BIIC, the important work it as well as the Hartford are doing in the DE&I space, and the subsequent industry influence.

About The Hartford

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.

 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.

Featuring: Susan Johnson, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, The Hartford

Hosted by: Ilana Kauffman, Director of Compliance, Wysh Life and Health Insurance Company

Susan Johnson is the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford, responsible for leading enterprise-wide D&I initiatives and aligning them with business strategies. She partners with leaders across the organization to ensure that The Hartford’s workforce reflects their customer base, that they drive successful acquisition, development and retention of talent, and that they focus on the right internal and external business and operational activities related to diversity.

Prior to her role at The Hartford, Johnson led global talent, diversity and HR functions at Pitney Bowes Inc. Under her leadership, Pitney Bowes was selected as the #1 company for diversity by DiversityInc. Johnson has also held HR management positions at Pepsi-Cola and Campbell Soup Companies. Additionally, Johnson has participated in local, state and national political campaigns and has worked on domestic policy and management issues in the public sector.

Johnson’s community involvement includes former Board Chair for the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, and Board Secretary for the National African American Insurance Association. She is active with The Links Incorporated and with her church community. She speaks nationally on topics covering diversity, leadership, career development and talent management.

Johnson’s recognitions include being named the Diversity & Inclusion Champion of the Year by Reactions publications, a Featured Risk Leader by Risk Matters magazine, listed in Savoy Magazine’s Top Influential Women in Corporate America, a Top Executive in Diversity by Black Enterprise Magazine, and an Industry Icon by Insurance Business of America.

Johnson received her BA degree from Spelman College and a Master’s in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Ilana Kauffman is an experienced Insurance Compliance Professional with a background in both the P&C and LAH arena, working to build compliance programs, manage corporate governance, develop products and expand the business into new territories. Ilana is currently the Director of Compliance for Wysh Life and Health Insurance Company, an Insurtech specializing in term life insurance.

Since joining the AICP, Ilana has volunteered for the Brand & Marketing Committee and is currently an active member of the Student Engagement Committee and Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Ilana Kauffman graduated Cum Laude from New York University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Media, Culture and Communications. She lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and 3 boys: 2 human and 1 K9. In her free time enjoys taking her kids to the park and drinking pumpkin coffee.