Insurance firm Gallagher is tapping into a new kind of summer intern: professional athletes.

Last year, the insurance giant expanded its internship program to offer positions to pro athletes, giving them a pathway to prepare for life after sports. In return, Gallagher discovered the stars also tend to shine off the field.

"They know what it's like to work hard and how long that path is to get to success," said Chris Mead, Gallagher's chief marketing officer. "They know what it's like to be part of a team and how to lead one."

This year Gallagher opened the program to eight members of the National Women's Soccer League's Chicago Stars. Leilanni Nesbeth and Chardonnay Curran, a current and former midfielder with the team, respectively, jumped at the opportunity for a paid internship.

"It

See Full Page