Inspiration: Geraldine Gallashaw

By Miriam Chapman 

This article first appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of IN magazine.

Geraldine Gallashaw, managing director and head of Global Diversity Strategies for The Bank of New York Mellon, has been with the company since 1973. The loyal employee and dedicated humanitarian possesses a selfless spirit. Her commitment to community, to those less fortunate and to helping society as a whole, led The Consortium to present her with the Peter C. Thorp Corporate Leadership Award at the June Orientation Program.

Throughout her career, Gallashaw has also managed employee relations, college relations and recruitment. Working in employee relations taught Gallashaw how to coach co-workers. Enjoying the challenge, she found that “giving employees a ‘sounding board’ was a great way to help them figure out their issues and develop solutions. The basis of many problems people have in the workplace is poor communications. Once you get them talking to each other, things start to work themselves out,” said Gallashaw. College recruitment seemed like the next logical step in her career, and it has remained one of her favorite areas. Helping students “make the right connections to get the right job,” Gallashaw has spent much time recruiting on college campuses, or, as she says, “on the ground where the students live.”

As a recruiter, Gallashaw measures success three ways: retention, mobility and happiness. Looking back at the number of Consortium Fellows who have found employment with The Bank of New York Mellon, she credits The Consortium with their employment success. “These MBAs benefited from the experience— the exposure and networking. Having come from The Consortium, they were able to figure out their path better,” Gallashaw adds. Continuing on that positive path, the fellows who work for BNY Mellon “found a place where they can grow, have opportunities to do things and be successful.”

Outside of the office, community organizations routinely recognize Gallashaw for her service. She dedicates time to several organizations serving a number of underprivileged groups. Included in her long list of volunteer organizations over the years are: the Harlem YMCA, Women’s Center for Education and Advancement, International Center for the Disabled and The West End Intergenerational Residence, a homeless shelter for single mothers and senior citizens.

Gallashaw was named the Urban Financial Services Coalition’s Diversity Champion of the Year, and she received the NYC Department of Education’s Cooperative Education Award in recognition of her “outstanding service and exemplary dedication to the youth of New York City.” Gallashaw credits her employer with her community service success. “The Bank of New York Mellon has made a strong commitment to supporting the communities in which we work and live. This allows me the time and resources to work within the community.”