PLUS Conference
2026 Conference Keynote Speakers
Get ready for an extraordinary experience! We’re excited to reveal this year’s PLUS Conference Keynote Speakers, where the top professionals in liability will inspire, innovate, and connect.
Meet your 2026 PLUS Conference Keynote Speakers
Hear from Jesse Cole on what he’ll be covering at the 2026 PLUS Conference.
Tuesday, November 10
3:30 pm–5:00 pm
Opening General Session featuring Jesse Cole
Jesse Cole
Founder of Fans First Entertainment | Owner of the Savannah Bananas | Creator of Banana Ball
Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and the owner of the world-famous Savannah Bananas and 5 additional teams in the Banana Ball League.
With the mantra “Fans First. Entertain Always,” the Bananas are on a mission to Make Baseball Fun by creating the Greatest Show in Sports. With more than a billion social media views, a ticket waitlist of more than 4 million, and features on such outlets as The Today Show, 60 Minutes, HBO Real Sports and The Tonight Show in addition to Bananaland, a five-part documentary original series on ESPN+, the Savannah Bananas are just getting started.
Wednesday, November 11
11:45 am–1:30 pm
PLUS Foundation Luncheon featuring Col. Nicole Malachowski (Ret)
Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.)
First Woman Thunderbird Pilot | Combat Veteran and Fighter Squadron Cmdr. | Former White House Fellow and Advisor
Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s distinguished 21-year Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams. But the dream came to an end when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling greatly to speak or walk for almost nine months. An indomitable spirit, Nicole fought back against overwhelming odds and prevailed.
*This Keynote speaker is brought to you by the PLUS Foundation.
Thursday, November 12
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Geopolitics, the Economy & Emerging Risk in 2027 with Joan Woodward
Joan Woodward
Executive Vice President of Public Policy | President of the Travelers Institute
Joan Woodward is Executive Vice President of Public Policy for Travelers and President of the Travelers Institute. She is a member of the company’s Management Committee, Operating Committee, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee, and also serves on The Diversity Council, and the Travelers Foundation Board. She is the current Chairperson of the Travelers Community Connections Campaign.
