Insurance firm Gallagher is tapping into a new kind of summer intern: professional athletes.Last year, the insurance giant expanded its internship program to offer positions to pro athletes, giving them a pathway to prepare for life after sports. In return, Gallagher discovered the stars also tend to shine off the field.”They know what it’s like to work hard and how long that path is to get to success,” said Chris Mead, Gallagher’s chief marketing officer. “They know what it’s like to be part of a team and how to lead one.”This year Gallagher opened the program to eight members of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Chicago Stars. Leilanni Nesbeth and Chardonnay Curran, a current and former midfielder with the team, respectively, jumped at the opportunity for a paid internship.”It means a lot for us to be able to get our foot in the door,” Nesbeth said in an interview with CNBC.”I’ve never had a job outside of soccer,” said Curran. “Being a pro soccer player was my first career, and I’ve never been in a corporate setting.”Chardonnay Curran, then of the Chicago Stars FC, before a game between Chicago Stars FC and North Carolina Courage at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on May 17, 2025, in Cary, North Carolina.Gregory Ng/isi Photos | Isi Photos | Getty ImagesGallagher started its Partnership Intern Program for athletes in 2024, piloted with four players from the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.Over six weeks, participants gain business experience, professional skill development and career mentorship, while also learning the ins and outs of insurance brokerage, sales and corporate culture.Gallagher, a sponsor of the Chicago NWSL team, tailors its internship program for the athlete participants to accommodate their demanding schedules.For many, that support is crucial. Pro sports careers can be short and unpredictable, and earnings can vary widely. The average NWSL salary is about $125,000 per season, according to the league.Gallagher’s goal is to prepare athletes for what comes next.”We went in there knowing nothing about insurance, and now I could pr …
