WHO WE ARE

At Travelers, career paths are rarely linear and often more meaningful than we first imagined. For Assistant Operations Manager Dyana Soderstrom, that meant turning a medical background and a love of helping people into a rewarding career in insurance operations.

As a little girl, Dyana Soderstrom dreamed of being a successful businesswoman, complete with a suit, heels and briefcase. Today, she is an Assistant Operations Manager in the Bond & Specialty Insurance (BSI) Operations team.

“I walked in wearing a backpack instead of carrying a briefcase, tennis shoes instead of heels,” Dyana recalls. “I remember thinking, ‘this became what I always wanted.’ I really am exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Dyana’s Travelers journey began when a friend referred her to the Claim Benefit Management Unit. They were looking for a candidate with a medical background, and despite being well-qualified, Dyana was anxious about taking the leap to a new industry. Her nerves subsided during the interview process when she learned the team had many years of tenure under their belt. “To me, that spoke volumes.”

After landing the role, Dyana put her degree in psychology and education to good use by stepping up as a mentor and first point of contact for incoming team members, which included building a simple “tip sheet.” Her guide evolved into a resource that helped inform a broader onboarding program across Claim, reflecting Travelers’ focus on knowledge sharing and enabling employees’ success.

Fast forward a decade: with support from her managers, Dyana was ready to take on new challenges. She made the leap to BSI Operations, where her leadership approach fit well with her new team. Her style centers on support and communication, where questions are encouraged and authentic dialogue is valued.

“It’s nice to know there are companies where you can establish roots and continue to grow.”

Dyana regularly engages with colleagues while volunteering at Travelers events in the Greater St. Paul area, including as a member of the Disability and Allies Diversity Network. As a mother of a daughter with autism, Dyana found a community that understands both her role as a caregiver and her commitment to inclusion at work. “You learn and you teach. The more we share our stories, the more we break down barriers, not just for our families, but for our colleagues who may be navigating similar challenges.”

Outside the office, Dyana is a wife, mother, abuela and enthusiastic ambassador for Travelers. She proudly promotes the company to friends and family, including her son, an Operations Account Specialist in the Public Sector Field, and a cousin whom she helped coach into her former Claim role.

For people considering a career at Travelers, Dyana’s journey is a reminder that insurance experience isn’t required to grow and thrive – you just need curiosity, a desire to help others and the willingness to take that next step.