Inside the unique approach to building relationships that guides this visionary VP
A passion for partnership and mentoring hasn’t just fueled a storied career for Michelle Gaillard, area vice president and director of mergers and acquisition at Gallagher Risk Management — it also shines in her enthusiasm for what comes next for her entire industry.
“Gallagher Risk Management is the third-largest risk manager in the world,” says Gaillard, “and what makes us unique compared to our peers is we take a holistic approach to risk. We look at six drivers to determine where the known and unknown risk is, and we help our clients address those through a consultative, holistic approach. We’re very team oriented — we believe in bringing in the best minds and putting the client in the center of the room to help them identify, mitigate and transfer risk.”
Gaillard, a Greenville-based Atlanta native, spent 25 years in banking before making the move to Gallagher.
“Banking is very siloed,” she says. “You’re limited in the products you can offer based on the brand. Now I get to remain the constant and not hand someone off. I love building that rapport with a leadership team, understanding their company, goals and passions, and then going to the insurance market and advocating on their behalf.”
Lifting up other women in business has always been important to Gaillard.
“Sales is traditionally a male-dominated industry, one that I’ve grown up in,” she says. “I’ve always been aware of this mentality that women [are perhaps] not seen at the same level, but I never let it change how I approached things. I do a lot of mentoring of young women coming up in this industry, and I tell them the most important thing you can ever do is identify the strengths that you most believe in and remain true to those.”
What’s next for the visionary leader?
Pursuing and sharing a rare level of clarity.
“My goal with Gallagher in the Upstate is to bring knowledge and transparency to an industry that traditionally hasn’t had it,” Gaillard says. “I want to pull back the curtain and help my clients understand the process… helping equip them with the knowledge needed to make good, solid decisions.”
Presented by
