Gallagher Area President Gulsah Mattson pushes HR leadership development

Gulsah Mattson, Area President at Gallagher in St. Paul, Minnesota, is using her executive role, nonprofit board service, and the HR Thrive Awards to elevate HR leaders and expand career opportunities for women. Her career path from an entry-level call center job to senior leadership underscores the value of perseverance, mentorship, and purpose-driven management.

Why it matters: - Gulsah Mattson’s work connects corporate leadership with community impact, giving HR professionals more visibility and support. - Her focus on mentorship, leadership development, and women’s advancement reflects growing pressure on employers to build stronger talent pipelines and healthier workplace cultures.

What happened: - Mattson serves as Area President at Gallagher and oversees P&L performance, service delivery, client retention, and business development across her region. - She is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. - Her background spans nearly two decades in health and benefits, consulting, and operations leadership. - She created the HR Thrive Awards to recognize HR professionals and elevate the human resources community. - She serves on the Board of Directors for HIRED and supports Dress for Success. - She is featured through Influential Women, which provides a platform for women to share perspectives and create content. - More information is available in her Influential Women profile.

The details: - Mattson started in an entry-level call center role at Anthem, Inc. after moving to the United States, even though she already had an MBA from Dokuz Eylül University. - She later advanced through leadership roles at Mercer and Gallagher. - Her career includes leading large teams, managing budgets, improving operational performance, strengthening client relationships, and driving business transformation. - She says strong organizations are built by investing in people, maintaining relationships, and aligning business strategy with client and community needs. - Her leadership style centers on authenticity, accountability, and purpose. - She often uses the principle that “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” - She also says “feedback is a gift.” - Outside of work, Mattson spends time outdoors, exercises, travels, and stays close to family and friends.

Between the lines: - Mattson’s story blends immigrant mobility with executive advancement, which gives her a credibility that can resonate with employees looking for a path upward. - The HR Thrive Awards suggest a broader effort to turn HR into a more visible strategic function, not just an administrative one. - Her emphasis on measuring outcomes and welcoming feedback signals a management style focused on accountability as well as culture.

What’s next: - Mattson says she wants to keep building HR Thrive as a space where leaders can connect, learn, and grow. - She also plans to keep mentoring women and early-career professionals who are looking to break barriers and build long-term careers. - Her broader goal is to meet more HR leaders, learn their challenges, and help them feel seen, valued, and connected.

The bottom line: - Mattson is using a senior corporate platform to promote leadership development, community engagement, and greater recognition for HR professionals.