If you ask Michelle Gallardo how she celebrates, the answer probably involves a plane ticket.
For milestone birthdays, she’s all in. Mexico. Italy. This year, Australia. She’s also the kind of 49ers fan who doesn’t just watch the game. She plans around it. Last year meant front-row tickets in Seattle. This year, it’s a trip to Melbourne to see them play just days after her birthday.
That same energy shows up in her career.
From Italy adventures to Niners game days, Michelle’s all in.
Michelle joined The Partners Group early on and has spent the past 20 years building something that lasts. What started as a customer service role turned into a producer career and a book of business that now exceeds $9 million. Along the way, she’s built long-term relationships with clients, many of whom have stayed with her for years, even decades.
She’s also invested in the people around her. From mentoring team members into new roles to helping others step into producer positions, Michelle takes pride in seeing others grow, not just herself.
We asked her to reflect on her time at The Partners Group.
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Michelle, what do you remember from your early days at TPG?
I got hired to work with Judy Hester Reynolds, who was the only personal lines producer here at the time. She was amazing, just a wealth of knowledge, and I learned so much from her early on.
One thing I always laugh about is that I wore an outfit to my interview where everything matched. My jewelry, everything. That was very much Judy’s style, and I’ve always joked that might’ve helped me get the job. But really, those early days were about learning, figuring things out, and getting my footing. I was young and still pretty new to all of it.
Michelle and Leah Burkart in her early days at TPG
What’s one accomplishment you’re especially proud of? Or something that stands out over the years?
Honestly, my growth. I started at 26, and I’ve grown up here in a lot of ways. I started in service and worked my way into becoming a producer and building my own team.
Seeing my team grow is a big one for me. I had someone who realized she wanted to move into sales, and I was able to mentor her into becoming a producer. Watching that happen is really rewarding.
I’m also proud of the business I’ve built. Starting from nothing and growing a $9 million book over time, and still having long-term relationships with those clients. You really get to know people. It stops being transactional. They become part of your life in a way.
If you weren’t at TPG, what would your dream job be?
It would have to be something with travel. I love experiences. I’d want a travel show that mixes everything together. Food, adventure, culture. I’d want to actually experience the place, not just visit it.
And I’ve always loved sports, so being a sideline reporter or sports announcer would be amazing too. I’m a huge 49ers fan, so anything close to the field would be pretty hard to beat.
Which TPG core value resonates most with you?
Cheers to 20 years, Michelle!
Have fun and live well. It’s always been that for me.
What makes it real here is that it’s not just something we say. We actually do it. We work hard, but there’s also a lot of connection and a lot of fun built into the culture. I was even on the fun committee for a while, so I’ve helped plan some of that.
I just think life should have some joy in it, including work.
What’s one word you’d use to describe your 20 years at TPG?
Proud.
I’m proud of my career, proud of what I’ve built, and proud of this company. When I started, there were fewer than 30 employees, so I’ve been able to see that growth firsthand.
For me, it really does feel like family. Some of my closest relationships came from here. That sense of loyalty, with both colleagues and clients, is something special.
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Thanks for the past 20 years, Michelle. Congratulations from all your friends and colleagues at TPG.
