2014 Outstanding Women in Business: Ann Tripp, Chief Investment Officer, The Hanover Insurance Group

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Tripp is also president of Opus Investment Management, the real estate arm of The Hanover and a key private partner in the $565 million CitySquare downtown redevelopment project in Worcester. In 2011, she received the Katharine F. Erskine Award from The YWCA of Central Massachusetts. The award honors women who have shown leadership in a range of fields.

Who is your most influential role model, and why?

My brother, John “Kirk” Kirkpatrick. Kirk has influenced my life in several ways. He has taught me through his actions to do the right thing: value and help others, work hard, keep a positive attitude and to love and support my family, and do it all with a sense of humor. He is an incredibly hard worker who also knows how to have fun. He is currently the president of a regional newspaper. He has spent his career in the newspaper business, which is an industry in secular decline. Yet he has managed to find creative ways for the paper to make money, keep the paper current and inspire and motivate his team to do the same. He has always been willing to take risks, yet has understood that to lead through change takes cooperation.

What has helped you achieve success in your career?

Hard work, support from others, my competitive nature and willingness to take risks.

My family has always supported my work and been proud of my accomplishments. I played competitive sports throughout high school and college. Through sports I learned that I liked to win and that it was all right to be aggressive and take risks. As I have grown older and wiser, I have traded the desire to “win” with a desire to be successful in ways that will have a positive impact on my family, colleagues and community.

What's your primary motivator; or if there is one thing that makes you tick or ignites a passion within you, what is it?

Although I am very honored and happy to win this award, I am not motivated by the spotlight. I am motivated to make my family, colleagues and community proud of me by being the best I can be. I work to make a difference in my work environment and community and encourage others on my team to do the same. I have always been motivated by the desire to do a good job, and want to excel for both my personal satisfaction as well as for my colleagues and employer. ... I have also developed strong relationships within my company and the community which are important to me. I have been fortunate to be active in the development of CitySquare in downtown Worcester. The success of CitySquare is a result of hard work by many and Hanover and the Worcester community coming together to effect change.

What roles have you played in your organization's efforts to give back to the community? Also, how do you give back to the community?

I lead by example by being on boards within the community as well as encouraging others to participate.

When the stress level gets too high, how do you ease the pressure?

I look to others for support to validate my decisions or provide thought partnership. I have several wonderful relationships throughout the company that I can turn to discuss my challenges. I also am always willing to ask others to help with my workload. Sometimes, I take a walk.

How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life? Please give an example or two.

I have a family as well as a family farm that I love returning to at the end of the day. Both deserve and require my attention and, therefore, force a balance. Having responsibilities outside work drives me to be more efficient so that I have time at home to focus on my family, farm and community activities. I also think that working in the community has provided much needed perspective at times.

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2014 Outstanding Women In Business Awards: Ann Tripp, The Hanover Insurance Group