At Accelerant, we’re motivated by our mission to rebuild insurance so it’s fair, transparent, and efficient. We’re often asked what it’s like to work at a global company with an audacious vision, so we’d give a peek behind the scenes through our Employee Perspectives… series. After all, people are at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to bring together individuals and teams who share our passion for creating an amazing experience and working in an amazing environment. In today’s spotlight, meet Mark McGillicuddy, the MGA Operations CFO at Accelerant.
Fast Facts:
- Favorite sports team or athlete: New York Jets
- Favorite travel destination: Toss up between Sedona, Arizona and Bar Harbor, Maine
- First job: Carvel ice cream. I rode my bike there so frequently that they offered me a job.
- My perfect day off: Golfing in the morning, then spending time at the lake with my family. With some ice cream of course.
- Childhood hero: Cal Ripken Jr.
What excites you most about the work you do with Accelerant?
It’s exciting to work with Members who are laser-focused on solving problems for their customers. I’m fortunate that I get to work with interesting people around the world who provide niche solutions in the insurance market.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I once sought advice from a colleague on a job opportunity and he asked if I wanted to be the smartest person in the room or the dumbest. The point he was trying to make was do I want to push myself to be better and learn, or would I be more content in a comfortable position. I’ll let my colleagues decide where exactly I land on that spectrum, but I can say it’s been a lot of fun working with the talented people at Accelerant.
How do you stay creative or innovative when you’re in a rut?
I’ve been successful at fostering relationships outside of Finance and the people I work directly with, which has opened up a lot of different ideas and inspiration from projects or ways of thinking that wouldn’t have otherwise occurred to me.
What advice would you give someone exploring career opportunities?
Don’t be afraid to take a chance on a smaller or “riskier” company. The perceived security of more established firms is overrated and could cause you to miss out on great opportunities.
What is your favorite company or team tradition at Accelerant?
I enjoy the tradition of new joiners introducing themselves on the Global All Hands calls, including a fun fact about themselves. It can be a little scary introducing yourself to the entire company but it’s a great way to begin getting to know people at a remote company. My fun fact: I’m an amateur woodworker in my spare time (or at least I was before my kids showed up)
