Chubb Corp.

After striking up a conversation at the office coffee bar, senior technical analyst Scott Greenberger realized that his colleague had database tuning expertise he needed on a project. The man agreed to help -- even though he was from a different group. That's the way it works at The Chubb Corp., Greenberger says. "It's very collaborative."

Although IT staffers are embedded within the Warren, N.J.-based insurance company's individual business units and report to different CIOs, managers don't hoard their staff resources. "We tend to put people on projects in places where they're needed," he says.

Heidi Proodian, recently promoted to vice president of claim business intelligence, credits her rise at Chubb to the company's focus on cross-disciplinary education and career advancement. Proodian, who came over from the business side of the house, says her experiences with cross-organizational task forces and Chubb's leadership programs helped. "[The program] helps you look within and develop a self-awareness," she says.

Proodian also appreciates benefits such as flextime that promote work/life balance. "Chubb has the full package. What's unique is that it offers it all," she says.

Staffers also have an opportunity to give back. The IT Cares organization raises money for charitable causes while strengthening the connections among more than 1,100 IT employees.

"It's helped us to get to know each other," Proodian says. "It facilitates collaboration."

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