Loreta Kash
Avon
Summary
Dynamic Sr. Director of Quality Engineering at The Travelers Companies, Inc., recognized for driving operational excellence and enhancing quality metrics. Spearheaded a test automation transformation, achieving 80% coverage, while fostering team collaboration and leadership. Expert in quality risk assessment and supplier quality management, delivering significant improvements in service delivery and efficiency.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Director of Quality Engineering
The Travelers Companies, Inc
2024 - Current
- Leading a cross-functional team of employees and global workforce members (~100) across Quality Engineering and Systems Analysis functions, driving operational excellence across 30+ applications in Personal Insurance.
- Serving as interim Tech Circle Lead, providing strategic delivery and execution for all Self Service capabilities supporting myTravelers Mobile/Web applications and digital customer communications.
- Leading Quality Engineering Community of Practice across Personal Insurance, fostering cross-organizational collaboration, standardizing best practices, and driving enterprise-wide quality improvements
- Identified and implemented technology-driven process improvements to optimize test cycles, automation coverage, and data workflows.
- Contributed to vendor evaluation process for PI Tech POD initiative and partnering with Strategic Sourcing and organizational leadership to execute seamless supplier onboarding and knowledge transfer
Info Systems Director
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
2014 - 2024
- Drove test automation transformation from 30% to 80% coverage (167% improvement) using Selenium and WebDriverIO frameworks, enabling 70% early defect detection and reducing cycle time by 30%
- Optimized portfolio delivery through strategic workforce management, including capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource allocation across multiple circles, releasing resources early through automation efficiencies
- Built high-performing team through comprehensive talent strategy, hiring versatile FTEs to replace contractors, developing talent pipeline through mentoring and training, and addressing performance/staffing issues across matrix teams
- Partnered with Delivery Management to ensure plan commitments, resolving SA/QA risks and issues across direct and matrix teams while monitoring DBT performance trends across Value Streams
- Accountable for quality artifacts and agile test practice advancement including TDM, test automation, and CI/CD QA practices implementation
- Established CI/CD pipelines for critical applications including Quick Quote, enabling continuous testing and early defect detection
- Developed comprehensive shift-left metrics, securing senior leadership buy-in and driving organization-wide adoption of quality best practices
- Spearheaded mobile testing migration to Experitest SeeTest platform through successful POC, improving performance and debugging capabilities
- Led quality execution for complex cross-organizational initiatives spanning Personal Insurance, Digital Enablement and Corp Tech
- Facilitated Enterprise QA Leadership Forum, connecting QA organizations across Travelers to share solutions, standardize practices, and improve quality effectiveness
- Managed supplier relationships and work orders, ensuring SLO compliance, value delivery, and seamless onboarding through partnership with Strategic Sourcing
- Created and maintained business continuity plans for Intuitive Servicing and Distribution value streams as Business Continuity Process Delegate
- Directed cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiencies and streamline processes across departments.
- Implemented strategic initiatives that aligned with organizational goals, driving significant improvements in service delivery.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring effective allocation of resources to support system-wide projects and programs.
- Analyzed performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, resulting in optimized workflows and enhanced productivity.
Quality Assurance Manager
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
2008 - 2014
- Managed a team of 27 quality assurance professionals across global locations, orchestrating test planning and execution for Personal Insurance portfolio; tracked and monitored budget expenses.
- Owned fiscal responsibility for QA operations, developing annual budgets, optimizing resource allocation, and achieving cost efficiency through strategic vendor management
- Developed high-performing team through strategic talent management, conducting performance calibrations, implementing competency-based development plans, and achieving high retention rate of top performers
- Established quality metrics framework and KPIs, enabling data-driven decisions that improved product quality and reduced time-to-market
- Partnered with product and delivery leads to integrate QA requirements into design phase and reducing post-production defects by 25%
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify quality issues, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Trained and mentored QA staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Project Quality Lead
The Travelers Companies, Inc
2007 - 2008
- Managed quality delivery for strategic IT portfolio across Personal Insurance division, overseeing test planning and execution for large-scale transformational projects while serving as single point of contact for business and development partners
- Led portfolio-level test operations including resource management and risk mitigation, coordinating testing activities across multiple applications and teams to ensure system integrity and compliance with requirements
- Owned end-to-end defect management process, facilitating daily triage meetings, implementing quality control points, and driving resolution of critical issues to maintain release schedules
- Established QA best practices and standards for the organization, developing reusable frameworks, test artifacts, and quality lifecycle processes that improved delivery consistency
- Coordinated functional implementation and regression testing for weekly/monthly release cycles, ensuring system modifications met specifications without adverse impacts to production systems
- Built offshore testing capabilities through strategic knowledge transfer program, conducting weekly training sessions with technical architects and analysts to scale QA capacity by XX%
- Managed quality scope, budget, and schedule for multiple concurrent projects, maintaining comprehensive QA documentation including test strategies, test plans, traceability matrices, and execution reports
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff on quality standards and best practices.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify process improvements and streamline workflows.
- Analyzed data trends to inform strategic decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
Sr. QA Consultant
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
2004 - 2007
- Provided quality assurance leadership for strategic web-based Auto/Property quote applications, successfully managing overlapping test deliverables across multiple versions with minimal production fallout
- Translated complex business requirements into comprehensive test strategies, developing and executing test scenarios that ensured alignment between technical delivery and business objectives
- Led infrastructure and regression testing initiatives, establishing best practices, tools, and guidelines while mentoring team members to enhance organizational testing capabilities
- Managed end-to-end defect lifecycle and production support activities, including issue identification, root cause analysis, and collaboration with technical teams to resolve discrepancies and ensure compliance
- Ensured system integrity through systematic regression testing, validating that modifications maintained specified requirements without introducing adverse impacts to existing functionality
IT Consultant
The Cigna Group
2001 - 2004
- Supported full SDLC for Medical Analysis and Customer Reporting applications, managing multiple concurrent projects within strict timeline, budget, and compliance constraints
- Bridged business and technology domains through requirements gathering, technical analysis, solution design, and QA support across multiple data products and applications
- Led HIPAA compliance initiative, developing business specifications, functional design, and test strategies to ensure Federal regulatory adherence across all systems
- Consolidated Utilization and Case Management data into centralized repository, enabling integrated operational reporting for service levels, productivity, and trend analysis
- Designed Month-by-Month Lives Enrollment reporting system with Rate Tier breakouts, delivering critical claims and revenue insights for Underwriters and Customers
- Established testing best practices and guidelines, while providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership on business issues impacting project design
- Performed data analysis using SQL, MS Access, QMF, ensuring high-quality deliverables met published project milestones
Education
Leading People, Leading Teams
Travelers Enterprise Leadership And Organization Development
Hartford, CT01-2009
PC Applications Program
New Horizons Computer Learning Center
Windsor01-2002
Systems Analysis Fundamentals
Cigna Technology Institute / Smart Force
Bloomfield, CT01-2002
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Vilnius Tech University
Vilnius, Lithuania01-2000
Skills
- Quality risk assessment
- Quality assurance techniques
- Corrective and preventive actions
- Operational excellence
- Quality metrics development
- Supplier quality management
- Quality management
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
- Team leadership
- Operational efficiency
Certification
SAFe Agilist (SA)
CST (Certified Software Tester)
Languages
English
Professional Working
Lithuanian
Native or Bilingual
Russian
Elementary
German
Elementary
Extra curricular
HR Recruiting Initiative Panelist
- Conduct behavioral interviews and provide candidate assessments to HR and hiring managers for PIBT organization
- Contributing to successful talent acquisition with multiple confirmed hires
PIBT Rotational Development Program (RDP) Committee Member
- Provide organizational leadership, strategic planning, and program advisement
- Screen and interview candidates, oversee onboarding processes
- Serve as Class 3 Program Advocate with monthly mentorship responsibilities
Diversity & Inclusion Leadership
- Outreach Program POC/Sub-Committee Member: Oversee cross-functional outreach initiatives across WIT, WIAA, and WDN organizations; coordinate quarterly diversity network touchpoints
- Women's Diversity Network (WDN) Volunteer: Support professional development programs focused on advancing women in leadership
- Connecticut Science Center Green Gala Committee Member
- Travelers EmpowerHER+ Member: Active participant in community supporting women in Technology & Operations
Professional Development
- Grace Hopper Conference - Travelers Representative (2016): Selected by leadership to represent organization at premier global conference for women in computing
Timeline
Sr. Director of Quality Engineering
The Travelers Companies, Inc
2024 - Current
Info Systems Director
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
2014 - 2024
Quality Assurance Manager
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
2008 - 2014
Project Quality Lead
The Travelers Companies, Inc
2007 - 2008
Sr. QA Consultant
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
2004 - 2007
IT Consultant
The Cigna Group
2001 - 2004
Leading People, Leading Teams
Travelers Enterprise Leadership And Organization Development
PC Applications Program
New Horizons Computer Learning Center
Systems Analysis Fundamentals
Cigna Technology Institute / Smart Force
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Vilnius Tech University
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