Her Story
About Kathryn M.
Kathryn M. Devaney-Pallozzi has spent nearly thirty years building a career in health insurance and employee benefits, currently serving as an Account Executive with Gallagher. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University, having spent her freshman year at the University of Bridgeport before transferring. Her professional path began unexpectedly in life insurance and medical underwriting, where she applied her medical background to review records and advocate for clients seeking fairer policy terms. That early experience shaped a career-long philosophy: that behind every insurance policy is a person, a family, and a story worth fighting for. Over time, Kathryn's focus shifted to health insurance and employee benefits, where she now manages renewals, negotiates with underwriters, markets plans to carriers, prepares open enrollment materials, and leads benefits meetings for employers navigating an increasingly complicated healthcare landscape. She holds a GBDS (Group Benefits Disability Specialist) certification and maintains active life and health insurance licenses, pursuing ongoing continuing education to keep pace with shifting regulations and legislation. Prior to her current role, she built her expertise through positions at isolved and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, where she spent nearly a decade advancing from Account Manager to Account Consultant. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kathryn is defined by a deep commitment to advocacy and community. In 2012, septic shock led to the loss of her finger and toe tips, an experience that reshaped her outlook and fueled her involvement in accessibility and inclusion efforts, including her collaboration with Runway of Dreams founder Mindy Scheier. She remains an active peer support member of the Amputee Coalition of America, mentoring others adjusting to life as amputees, and has maintained a lifelong connection to Special Olympics that began during her college years at Purdue. She is also a longstanding member of the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, reflecting her belief that leadership and service extend well beyond the workplace.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kathryn M.
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in one guiding belief: people deserve someone who will advocate for them when it matters most. I began my career in medical underwriting and life insurance, where my background in audiology and speech-language pathology from Purdue University helped me push for fair evaluations and better outcomes for clients. I still remember helping a woman in long-term remission overturn a coverage denial — moments like that remind me why I do this work. As my career grew into health insurance and employee benefits, I've stayed focused on renewals, underwriter negotiations, plan marketing, and open enrollment, always adapting as the healthcare landscape evolves. Continuous learning, professional certifications, and a commitment to serving clients with integrity have carried me through nearly three decades in this field.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I haven't had a single formal mentor, but I've learned something valuable from many remarkable people along my journey. Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams, has been especially influential — our shared commitment to accessibility and inclusion, which deepened after I became an amputee in 2012, brought us together. Through communities like the Amputee Coalition, I've found people who continually encourage one another to keep moving forward. That's taught me mentorship doesn't always come from one person; it often comes from many people who share knowledge and lead by example during life's hardest moments.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd encourage them to stay open-minded and adaptable. This industry never stops changing, and success depends on your willingness to learn, pivot, and keep perspective. Insurance is deeply personal for the people we serve, so approaching every conversation with empathy and professionalism makes all the difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges we face is balancing rising healthcare costs with the need to deliver quality, affordable benefits. Both employers and employees are dealing with growing complexity, which makes trusted advisors more important than ever. I see our role as simplifying difficult decisions and advocating for solutions that protect businesses and the people who rely on them.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Losing my finger and toe tips to septic shock in 2012 was one of the most defining moments of my life, and it reshaped how I see both my personal journey and my career. Returning to work afterward remains one of my proudest accomplishments — it taught me that resilience isn't about avoiding hardship, it's about choosing to move forward through it. That experience opened doors I never expected, including advocacy work with Runway of Dreams around adaptive clothing and accessibility, and mentoring other amputees through the Amputee Coalition and hospital visits. If sharing my story gives someone hope during a difficult moment, then every challenge I've faced has served a greater purpose.
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