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The Leave Briefing

State-mandated and employer-sponsored leave

Mapping overlaps for better outcomes

October 1, 2025

Featured speakers

VP, Corporate Initiatives, Unum

Umberto Speranza is Unum's Vice President, Corporate Initiatives, leading and overseeing high-priority, cross-functional initiatives that support the successful execution of Unum’s enterprise strategy. Previously, he served as AVP, Government Affairs, engaging with lawmakers and public officials at the state and federal level by advancing and defending the company’s legislative, regulatory and public policy agendas. In that role, he specialized in top public policy issues impacting the benefits industry such as paid family and medical leave as well as long-term care, mental health and other key products and priorities. Prior to joining Unum, Umberto held various roles in government and politics. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Director, Expanded Solutions, Unum

Kelsy Holliday-Schiavon is a Director in the Expanded Services department at Unum. She has over a decade of experience in disability management and leave of absence, with a particular focus on corporate and statutory paid leave. She has worked with many Unum integrated products, including LTD, STD, Leave, ADA and Paid Leave programs. One of the responsibilities of her current role includes leading a team to plan for and implement Unum statutory paid leave offerings.