Tania Gainham | Marsh Canada Limited

Tania Gainham, Vice President, Public Sector, Marsh Canada Limited

“Everyone seems to have a long-tailed story about how they fell into the industry,” says Tania Gainham. “But I actually chose to be in insurance.”

Unsure of what to do while in high school, she recalled a cousin had a great career in the industry. Having no real idea of what that meant, she called him and ended up in a new program in Insurance and Risk Management. She put in her time and began her career.

“I graduated on Friday and had my first job on Monday,” she says. “I was in my early twenties and ready to learn.”

That first job, at Aon, saw Gainham licensed within months. Two years later, in 2012, she was introduced to Marsh Canada’s higher education practice leader, someone she refers to as her greatest mentor. He hired her, and she’s been in the same department, growing and working alongside the same clients, ever since.

“I began as an insurance assistant, which really helped me to understand the business,” she says, “After that, I moved into broking before taking time off to start a family.”

When she returned, she had an opportunity to take on a greater role. She was invited to lead the entire book of business, something for which she thought she would have a few more years to prepare. She jumped on it all the same.

“I said to myself, ‘Why would I turn this down? This is my chance.’”

Now Marsh Canada’s vice president of the public sector, her career is demanding. Despite working across multiple time zones, addressing urgent and varied client and underwriter needs, and making time for family, Gainham manages to make it all work.

“I wake up in the night and write things down on a notepad,” she says. “For me, having a true pen and paper priority list every day helps.”

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So does having conversations with colleagues and with clients.

“Schools are like municipalities,” says Gainham. “They’re large. They’re complex. So, regular touchpoints are important.”

This includes regular meetings with her team, webinars and education for clients, and a daily focus on relationship-building. One of those client relationships turned into a valuable partnership. Gainham worked closely with that person to develop a toolkit for other clients in higher education — a how-to guide to help people new to insurance start with a solid foundation.

Not everything has been easy. Thoughts of leaving the industry have entered Gainham’s mind — twice.

“After I had my first daughter, and with my second on the way, I was trying to figure out how I was going to work in the city every day,” she says. Then came the COVID pandemic and a hybrid work environment made it possible for her to come back.

But then a difficult situation at work almost squelched that passion to return. It is a memory – and a lesson – that has stuck.

“A year of working on a project that challenged me to my limits, I reached a breaking point where I seriously questioned my commitment to leading such a demanding career. And I felt ready to walk away,” she confesses.

Honest and upfront discussions about her mental health with her manager and, most importantly, her team, changed everything. 

“I am so thankful I had those conversations.”

Mental health is an important part of the advice she wants to impart to others.

“Never be afraid to speak up, to share your challenges, and to ask for support,” she says. “Be bold, too. Show you are ready to make change. Build key relationships in all areas of the business. Check in with others regularly, not only when issues arise. And finally, ask for promotions – because they will not simply be handed to you.”