Presented by Symba, #OpenUpTheWorkforce interviews feature executives advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity for the future of work. In these short audio-only episodes, host Ahva Sadeghi speaks with top leaders about what it takes to develop and implement inclusive processes.
In this special episode of #OpenUpTheWorkforce, we sit down for a conversation with Jeff Gallimore, Chief Operations Officer for U.S. National Accounts at Zurich North America, a leading provider of Property & Casualty insurance products and services. With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Jeff shared his inspiring career journey, leadership insights, and his vision for attracting the next generation of talent to the field.
Key Takeaways: The Future of Insurance and Attracting Youth to the Industry
- Diverse Career Paths: Insurance is often overlooked as a career choice, but Jeff emphasizes how the industry offers a wide array of career paths. From finance and law to IT, operations, and sales, there are numerous opportunities in the insurance sector. The diversity of roles within the industry provides a strong foundation for attracting young talent, especially as we focus on appealing to the next generation's evolving interests.
- Mentorship and Relationship Building: Jeff highlights the critical role mentorship has played in his career, stressing the importance of building strong relationships. While hybrid work environments have posed challenges to traditional in-person mentorship, it's clear that developing connections and having advocates at all levels of an organization is essential for career growth. Jeff’s career story is a testament to the power of relationships and how they help shape future leaders in the industry.
- Commitment to Attracting and Developing Talent: At Zurich, talent development is a top priority. From apprenticeship programs to leadership development initiatives, Zurich is innovating in how it nurtures and grows future talent. Jeff shared that Zurich is especially focused on college campus outreach, including HBCUs, and is actively working to attract diverse candidates by highlighting the various career paths available in the insurance sector.
- Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: With a deep commitment to diversity, Jeff has led efforts to create and nurture employee resource groups such as the Zurich African Ancestry Alliance. Zurich also launched an apprenticeship program, collaborating with community colleges to provide more accessible paths to careers in insurance. These initiatives are part of Zurich’s broader efforts to build a diverse and inclusive workforce while addressing the talent gap in the industry.
- AI in Insurance: As technology continues to play a pivotal role in shaping industries, Jeff also discussed the impact of AI on the insurance sector. Zurich is leveraging AI for tasks like data input, work prioritization, and information triage, making processes more efficient. However, Jeff reassures employees that AI will not replace jobs but instead create new opportunities by automating repetitive tasks and enabling employees to focus on more strategic work.
The Future of Insurance and Attracting Young Talent One of the most exciting aspects of the conversation was how Jeff is working to reimagine the future of insurance. By focusing on bringing in young talent from diverse backgrounds, especially through college outreach and partnerships with educational institutions, Zurich is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and innovative workforce. For young people considering career options, the insurance industry provides not only stability but the chance to work on high-impact projects, including those with a global reach.
Why This Matters?
The insurance industry has faced challenges attracting young talent, often seen as a legacy industry. However, as Jeff Gallimore passionately explained, the industry is evolving. By embracing new talent pipelines and focusing on mentorship, Zurich is proving that insurance is not only about risk management – it’s about people, impact, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
We’re excited to see how the insurance industry continues to evolve and the strides companies like Zurich are making in creating more inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready workforces.
Listen to the full interview with Jeff Gallimore to hear more about his journey, Zurich’s initiatives, and how the insurance sector can open up the workforce for the next generation of leaders.
👉 Tune into this episode here:
About Jeff Gallimore
Jeff Gallimore is Chief Operations Officer for U.S. National Accounts at Zurich
North America, a leading provider of Property & Casualty insurance products and
services. Gallimore is responsible for bridging the National Accounts strategy with
day-to-day operations, ensuring best-in-class service for Zurich’s largest business
customers and their brokers. He is based in New York.
Since joining Zurich in 2008 as Vice President for Integrated Products, Gallimore has
held leadership roles in Operations and Specialty Products, with expertise in lines
of business including Environmental, Global Energy, Financial and International.
Prior to joining Zurich, Gallimore spent more than 15 years at AIG in various roles,
including Vice President of Operations for AIG’s Small Business unit.
Gallimore was a founding member of the Zurich African Ancestry Alliance employee
resource group and was selected for Zurich’s Propel Inclusion Cohort program for
high performers with strong leadership competency.
Gallimore enjoys working with underprivileged youth, including as a coach for an
Amateur Athletic Union basketball team, the New Jersey Roadrunners.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from
Hampton University in Virginia.
