I started my career at Gallagher at the age of 19 as a receptionist in the Aliso Viejo branch. At that time, I had no prior office experience, but I was given an opportunity and the support that came with it made all the difference.
Over the years, I progressed through several roles, from Claims Assistant handling medical‑only claims, to working on an important account across both 90‑day and full indemnity desks. In 2012, I was promoted to Senior Resolution Manager and later moved to an account that challenged me in new ways. From there, I stepped into leadership roles, becoming a Claims Supervisor, then Assistant Branch Manager, and today, I have the privilege of serving as a Branch Manager.
In my current role, I’m responsible for driving day‑to‑day operations, ensuring client satisfaction, supporting business growth, and most importantly, mentoring and developing my team while aligning our goals with the broader direction of the business.
Growing through Support, Relationships, and Learning
Looking back, the biggest factor in my growth was the support and confidence I received early on. I was young, learning everything for the first time, but the encouragement from my managers combined with early wins gave me the confidence to keep going.
I made it a priority to build strong relationships with the people around me and actively seek mentorship. At the same time, I focused on continuous learning through training, hands‑on experience, and earning certifications like my WCCA and Self‑Insured certification.”
Those early steps helped me build a strong foundation, not just in technical skills, but in how to show up professionally and contribute meaningfully.
Stepping up to New Challenges
There have been a few defining moments that shaped my career, and one of the most important was my move to an airlines account. Up until that point, I had built a strong track record on a food/retail program, but this new role came with tighter deadlines, more complex claims, and greater financial exposure.
That transition pushed me to prove to myself and others that I could deliver the same level of results in a much more demanding environment. It became a key steppingstone in my career.
Another important experience was leading a team through process improvements to drive stronger results. That opportunity strengthened my leadership capabilities and opened the door to more strategic roles. Cross functional projects also played a big role in broadening my perspective, helping me understand how different parts of the business come together to deliver success.
Leading with Trust, Accountability, and Support
My approach to leadership has evolved with experience, but a few principles have remained constant - respect, empathy, and clear expectations.
I strongly believe in leading by example. I hold myself to the same standards I expect from my team, if not higher. For me, leadership is not just about driving outcomes it’s about building trust, understanding what motivates each individual, and creating an environment where people can perform at their best.
Mentoring and developing others is one of the most rewarding part of my role. I genuinely enjoy helping people grow, both professionally and personally. Supporting my team’s development isn’t just an expectation, it’s something I’m deeply committed to.
Delivering Excellence and Building a Long‑term Career
To me, delivering high‑quality work is about consistency, responsiveness, and intention. It starts with understanding client needs, setting clear expectations, and following through with accuracy and professionalism.
But excellence goes beyond execution. It’s about building trust, solving problems proactively, and making sure both clients and team members feel supported throughout the process. Operational excellence, in my experience, comes from strong communication, attention to detail, and a constant focus on improving how we work without losing the personal connection that great service requires."
One principle that has always stayed with me and one that reflects the Gallagher Way is simple: never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. That standard keeps me accountable and grounded in how I lead.
If I were to give advice to someone starting their career at Gallagher, it would be this: take advantage of the people around you. Ask questions, seek mentorship, and invest in your own development. There will be challenges along the way, but the growth that comes from those experiences is invaluable.
For me, this journey has been built on support, learning, and staying committed through every stage and that’s what has made it so rewarding.
