What Owning Your Career Looks Like at Gallagher
Hi, I’m Patrick, and I joined Gallagher in 2021. My career journey here has been a mix of learning, growth, and embracing the unique culture we call The Gallagher Way. I started as a Recruiter, and through networking and a series of pivotal decisions, I’m now the Manager of Global Talent Acquisition Reporting and Analytics. Here’s a glimpse into my career path and the experiences that have shaped my journey.
Building Momentum Through Curiosity and Stretch
About a year and a half into my role, I moved into a Senior Recruiter position, supporting Client Service Operations within Global Brokerage. Alongside my day to day recruiting work, I actively looked for ways to stretch myself taking on special projects, building new skills, and saying yes when opportunities arose.
One of the most defining moments came when Gallagher implemented a new Applicant Tracking System and CRM. I volunteered to support the training effort, initially working with my immediate team. As we became one of the most proficient teams using the new tools, I stepped into a global lead trainer role while still managing my recruiting responsibilities. That experience gave me the chance to train and retrain colleagues across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the U.K., Australia, and India.
Those projects didn’t just expand my technical skillset they helped me build strong relationships across Talent Acquisition operations and deepened my understanding of how different parts of the organization work together.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
Growth hasn’t always been comfortable. I’m naturally more introverted, and learning to speak up, share ideas, and advocate for myself was a conscious effort. I also learned early on that being a good teammate matters. Whether it was helping a colleague when my workload eased or volunteering for additional initiatives, supporting others created a culture of trust and collaboration and that support came back to me many times over.
Being local to Gallagher’s headquarters in Rolling Meadows also played a role in my development. Going into the office helped me build relationships organically. For those who aren’t local, I’ve seen firsthand that raising your hand for projects is just as powerful a way to connect and grow.
Mentorship programs were another important part of my journey. Guidance from experienced colleagues helped me navigate decisions, understand my strengths, and think more intentionally about where I wanted to go next.
A Pivotal Transition into Data and Analytics
Through special projects and internal networking, I developed a strong interest in our Talent Acquisition Data & Analytics team. That curiosity led to a stretch assignment from June to December 2025. After six months on the team, I was offered a full-time role as Manager of Global Talent Acquisition Reporting and Analytics.
Today, I manage a team focused on delivering data driven insights that strengthen our talent acquisition strategies and support informed decision making. We collaborate closely with cross functional partners to align recruitment efforts with broader business goals, and I’m constantly exploring new ways to use data to improve how we hire and how we grow.
One of my earliest challenges at Gallagher was building my insurance acumen. While I was confident in my recruiting skills, I knew I needed to better understand the industry language to truly succeed. At times, it felt overwhelming like starting over.
What helped was breaking the learning into small, achievable steps. I set realistic goals, asked for help when I needed it, and leaned on colleagues who were always generous with their time and knowledge. Over time, my confidence grew alongside my understanding, and that experience reminded me that resilience, adaptability, and curiosity go a long way.
Power of Collaboration and Confidence
Problem solving has been a constant thread throughout my career at Gallagher. As a lead trainer, I was identifying gaps, finding more efficient ways to work, and helping teams get better outcomes. Those same skills now guide my work in analytics, whether I’m designing dashboards, developing reporting solutions, or translating complex data into clear, actionable insights.”
Strong communication has been just as critical especially when working with stakeholders who don’t live in the data every day. Staying curious, adapting quickly to new technology, and being open to change have helped me continue contributing in meaningful ways.
One of the greatest gifts I’ve received in my career is confidence from a leader. That now shapes how I lead. I prioritize creating an environment where my team feels supported, trusted, and confident to stretch themselves. Collaboration plays a huge role in that. I often think of Talent Acquisition like a hockey team success comes from a mix of different strengths working together toward a shared goal.
Each person on the team brings something different, and every project is a team effort. We learn from one another, improve continuously, and deliver better outcomes together.
My journey at Gallagher has been shaped by trust, collaboration, and a culture that encourages people to grow. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, the mentors who believed in me, and the teammates who’ve supported me along the way. And I’m excited for what growth still lies ahead.