Spencer Looks Back with Donna Galer (Spencer Chair 2007-2011)

L to R: Ted Dann (Senior Advisor, Hanover Stone Partners), Donna Galer (Senior Advisor, Hanover Stone Solutions), and Donna Galer’s daughter Tracy Yaun (Litigation Partner, Goodman McGuffey LLP) at the 2019 Spencer Gala

How did you become involved with the Spencer Educational Foundation?

Spencer was only peripherally on my radar screen when I got a call from Richard Hackenburg, who was the Board Chair at the time, and who had gotten my name from Kathryn McIntyre, former editor of Business Insurance. He asked if I might be interested in becoming more familiar with Spencer and perhaps being nominated to sit on the Board. Thus, I learned about the variety of great work the Foundation was doing to develop risk management and insurance talent. After some delays caused by my changing roles at Zurich Insurance, I did get elected to the Board and served a number of years before becoming Chair.

What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) memories about your time serving as Spencer Chair?

As Chair from 2007-11, I realized that I had to work hard at fundraising since it was expected that the whole Board help develop funding and I wanted to set a good example. So, I made cold calls to various company executives. Some were not successful but some were. I remember calling FM Global and speaking to Roberta Butler. She got approval for a sizable contribution in 2007. Conversations continued with the company and in 2008 they followed that sizable contribution with the largest single contribution in Spencer's history, $525,000!

What is another Spencer memory that you remember fondly?

Of-course, I have to mention that back in 2009 I proposed and got Board approval for the first Spencer Gala. Companies were consolidating, new charitable organizations were being formed and the country was recovering from a financial crisis. The gala seemed like a good way to generate significant income while raising awareness about SEF's mission. It was not meant to be the sole or even the most important source of fundraising. The event could not have been a success without Angela Sabatino's tireless efforts to ensure that all the planning and component parts came together. We were so worried about getting enough people to come but we had over 500 in attendance that first year. A real relief after a lot of worry!

Thank you to Donna Galer for her hard work and dedication to Spencer!