A little over two years ago, I walked through the doors at Allianz thinking I was just signing on to help with a three-month data cleanup project. I had no idea I was stepping into two of the most transformative years of my life.
What started as a short-term contract quickly turned into so much more. More learning, more growth, more life than I ever expected to live while working on a project in Third Party Risk Management.
In my two years here, I:
- Worked under three different managers, each with their own leadership style and lessons
- Supported legal, risk, and compliance initiatives across the business
- Completed over 2,000 third-party risk management assessments with internal stakeholders
- On- and off-boarded multiple colleagues
- Navigated mostly remote work while still building real relationships
- Took on new responsibilities, earned two raises, and was promoted once
- Learned to work with all kinds of personalities — and grew stronger because of it
But what made this experience unforgettable wasn’t just the work. It was everything that happened outside of it, too.
The Life I Lived While Working This Job
These past two years held some of my biggest personal milestones and growing pains. While working full-time, I also:
- Moved out of my parents’ house
- Got my first apartment with a partner
- Went through a life-changing breakup
- Moved into my own place — this time, solo
- Took on multiple leadership roles outside of work
- Spoke on three professional panels
- Went on ten trips
- Started dog sitting (seriously, so many dogs)
- Made so many new friends — both through work and beyond
- Rediscovered my love for yoga
- Supported my sister as she graduated from high school
- Cried and smiled more times than I can count
- Went to ten concerts
- Dated… a lot
- Showed up for early mornings, late nights, and everything in between
These walls — virtual and physical — held me through it all. This role became a container for my growth, in ways that went far beyond my job description.
The People Who Made It What It Was
I’ll never forget the emergency “calls” and “meetings” that doubled as therapy sessions, the weekly help desk calls that became running jokes, or the long happy hours that turned colleagues into friends.
To the Turnberry–Allianz crew: You turned work into community. Thank you for showing up for each other the way we did.
To my manager: Thank you for being the most supportive boss I’ve ever had. Your example of grace, strength, and leadership is one I’ll carry with me. I truly aspire to be like you.
To the ever-growing circle of work friends: You’re more than coworkers. You’re lifelong people. I’m so glad our paths crossed here.
And to Allianz: Thank you for giving me space to grow — professionally, emotionally, and personally.
A Full-Circle Moment
I’ll always remember interviewing for this job while I was up north at the cabin. Thank gawd I packed a collared linen shirt, found a curling iron, and threw on some makeup… because it led me here.
Thank You to the Past Two Years
Thank you for:
- The best group of work friends I’ve had to date
- Mentorship opportunities that shaped me
- Countless new connections
- A chance to learn, lead, and fail safely
- Teaching me how to navigate challenging conversations and personalities
- Encouraging me to step up — and step out
- Letting me be a human, not just a headcount
So much life has happened in the past two years. I’m beyond grateful to my client and employer for being part of the backdrop of that chapter.
Now, it’s time for what’s next and I can’t wait! ❤
Gifted with Grace 