Every International Women’s Day GB recognises and celebrates the accomplishments of the inspiring women we work with. All of the women featured in these interviews will represent GB at the Women in Insurance Leadership summit in May. Click here to read interviews from last year's inductees.

Christine Damianidis joined Gallagher Bassett in July 2014 as a Tail Team Manager. Her technical expertise, service focus and natural ability to build teams has seen her advance into a senior leadership positon as GB's AUS-U.S. Partnership Manager, leading a team resposible for providing claims management services to companies in the US.

We sat down to talk to Christine about what International Women's Day means to her and her experiences working in the insurance industry.

Do you think it’s important to have an International Women’s Day? Why?

I do, definitely. For me it is imperative to recognise the achievements of women as we have come a long way. I think International Women’s Day is a huge motivation for women, particularly when getting stuck in the mindset of a limited career when they choose to start a family. Women juggle so many things in life so it’s important to celebrate their unique, special and valuable role in society.

What advice would you give to women who are considering pursuing a career within the insurance industry?

I would offer two pieces of advice.

First of all, it is important to be realistic about what you want to achieve in life. You really need to view personal and work life as one. You have to be persistent with regards to what you are going to do to achieve those goals, whether it be networking, undertaking additional studies and taking up additional opportunities such as mentoring.

The second piece of advice is focus on knowing as many people as you can, both in and outside of GB. I would recommend to network, share ideas, seek feedback and be initiative. You would find that a heap of great opportunities will arise if you are being open about what you want to do and how you’re going to achieve it.   

What’s it like working at GB?

What I enjoy most is the family feel. We have so many long-term employees which really demonstrates everyone’s commitment to the organisation. This has made me become more interested in expanding my career at GB.

GB is very invested in their staff and supports them in what they do. Throughout my career at GB, the company has offered me great opportunities for career progression. They have been incredibly supportive and it is this environment that is a huge motivator for me to come into work each day.

Were there any challenges you have had to confront?

My biggest challenge would have been recently having a baby and thinking about where I want to go from here. I felt that in order to be a mother I just had to pause my career until I was ready to come back to work full time and take the next step. I had to overcome this idea of being one or the other.

GB has been truly supportive and I found that discussing my situation with my General Manager Kate, about how I can provide the best of me to my team and wider GB, was really helpful. I feel that with GB’s support, my career plan and goals have not changed since having a baby.

How did you overcome these challenges?

GB has really supported my career, particularly when I was given the opportunity to work as a part of the U.S. Partnership Project Team. After only a short period of time working at GB, I had demonstrated how I can support the business. GB gave me the chance to shine and allowed me to take on leadership roles, further my career and develop my knowledge of the insurance industry.  

I recently took maternity leave in July last year, at that time I was in the role of Team Manager for the Supervisor Stream. Despite being on maternity leave, GB considered me for the role of AUS-U.S. Partnership Manager. I felt extremely supported by GB and grateful that I was able to return from maternity leave and take a step up in my career.

Christine Damianidis - AUS-U.S. Partnership Manager