2024 Winner | Union Mutual
Union Mutual named 2024 Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year
VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have named Union Mutual Insurance Co. as their Out-standing Business of the Year for 2024. The award was presented to company officials at the opening session of the Vermont Economic Conference Jan. 28 at the University of Vermont’s Dudley Davis Center.
Photo: CEO Lisa Keysar accepts the 2024 Outstanding Business of the Year Award on behalf of Union Mutual Insurance. VermontBiz photo.
The annual award recognizes Vermont businesses that significantly contribute to the state’s economy and the well-being of its residents. Recent winners have included Bourne’s Energy (2023), Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group (2022) and Healthy Living Market & Café (2021).
“We have so many outstanding businesses in Vermont that reflect our state’s innovative and community-driven spirit,“ said Vermont Chamber President Amy Spear. “Union Mutual’s longevity, remarkable community impact and forward-thinking business practices align perfectly with the core values we celebrate in this award.“
VermontBIz Publisher John Boutin added that Union Mutual “exemplifies the best of what Vermont businesses bring to our communities.
“From its long-standing record of financial stability to its multifaceted approach to community service, Union Mutual is a wonderful example of how success and responsibility can go hand in hand,“ Boutin said.
A Legacy of Community Commitment
Founded in 1874, Union Mutual, headquartered in Montpelier, has been woven into the fabric of Vermont for more than a century and a half. Throughout its history, the company has combined strong financial performance with a deep sense of social responsibility, supporting a range of community initiatives across the region.
Union Mutual exemplifies the Principles of Excellence in all aspects of operations, sustainable growth and community responsibility. Its mission statement — “We are here so you can live life well protected“ — stands for its commitment to be a solvent, financially strong company for its policyholders. The company’s vision and values reflect its dedication to a professional and inclusive environment through relationships with its employees, business partners and agents.
Union Mutual celebrated its 150th year as a Vermont-based business in 2024. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its employees, strong relationships with its independent agency partners, and loyalty and trust of its New England policyholders.
As it looks to the future, Union Mutual is committed to remaining a top Vermont employer, leveraging sophisticated analytics to develop robust products, finding innovative ways to support the independent agency distribution channel, and providing superior customer service to its more than 100,000 policyholders.
“For 150 years, Union Mutual has strived to be a reliable and forward-thinking partner to our policyholders and our community,“ said company President and CEO Lisa Keysar. “Receiving the Outstanding Business of the Year Award is an honor that reflects our team’s enduring commitment to Vermont. We believe deeply in giving back, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring Vermonters can ’live life well protected.’“
Through its charitable giving fund, Union Mutual committed in 2024 to three major giving programs, while also supporting other organizations throughout Vermont. Selecting organizations for a significant partnership allows Union Mutual to make a more meaningful financial commitment, while also partnering to support organizations with volunteer resources as needed. The organizations partnering with Union Mutual for 2024 include Special Olympics Vermont, the Kelly Brush Foundation and Hunger Free Vermont.
Union Mutual’s leadership in corporate responsibility is evident in both its environmental initiatives and employee-focused culture. Underscoring its dedication to sustainability, the company maintains a solar array at its Montpelier headquarters, pursues paperless processes for policyholders and partners with One Tree Planted for every new paperless policy.
Union Mutual established an employee-driven Environmental, Social, Governance Committee, comprising representatives from all departments, that explores and recommends initiatives to improve upon each category within the company’s strategic plan and everyday operations.
With some employees celebrating 20, 30 and even 40-plus years of service to the company, it’s no secret that Union Mutual is a great place to work. The company has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont for 11 consecutive years. Earning this honor year after year is a testament to the collaborative, innovative and inspiring work atmosphere its talented employees maintain each and every day.
The company encourages open communication and transparency, qualities that continue to evolve as Union Mutual adapts a hybrid workplace flexibility program. Employees receive daily updates on the company’s performance and the role they play in the results. The human resources department facilitates routine employee evaluations, including the Best Places to Work in Vermont survey as well as an internal survey for employees.
In 2024, Union Mutual announced a significant strategic decision to affiliate with Massachusetts-based Norfolk & Dedham Insurance Group. The affiliation, approved by both the Vermont and Massachusetts departments of insurance, was finalized in November.
Under this new structure, both the N&D and Union Mutual entities will continue to operate post-affiliation. The companies’ goal through the affiliation process is to continue to build upon the success of each companies’ individual success for the mutual benefit of their employees, policyholders and agency partners.
Photo: Union Mutual accepts the 2024 Outstanding Business of the Year Award. VermontBiz photo.
For 35 years, VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present the Outstanding Business of the Year Award.