When I joined Aspen nearly three years ago, I was unfamiliar with "VTO Days." When I learned that VTO stood for "Volunteer Time Off," and the fact that Aspen U.S. Insurance provides employees with two fully paid VTO days per year, I was a bit surprised as I had never worked for an organization before that actually pays employees to volunteer their time and give back to the community.

Getting involved

Digging a bit deeper, I learned that this was just one of the many things Aspen does to get involved in charitable organizations and activities in the communities where colleagues live and work every day. Furthermore, I learned that two VTO days is market-leading. My time at Aspen has taught me that charitable activity and philanthropy run deep and are a critical part of Aspen's culture, a piece of the organization's DNA that inspires and motivates colleagues across the organization.

I then met some of Aspen's ADARA "ambassadors" to learn more about this amazing charitable organization founded by an ex-Bermuda banker, Audette Exel. The foundation is an international development organization, working with communities and local partners to promote the well-being of children and families in Uganda and Nepal. Our partnership with Adara started in 2007 and has centered on the Kiwoko Hospital in Uganda. The "Aspen Ambassadors" are a handful of people across the company that spend time each year at this Uganda hospital to see first-hand where our donations are going and being put to the greatest use.