How I Reinvented Myself at the Intersection of Culture and Career

Gerry Lamadieu, Global Head of Human Resources Operations at BBH, shares his journey from a role in Financial Planning & Analysis to Human Resources.

BBH has always provided a framework that allows me to diversify my skills set, take on different challenges, and reinvent myself. Following is my career journey that took me from Financial Planning & Analysis to the Global Head of Operations in Human Resources.

After serving in various financial roles at other large financial institutions, I joined BBH in 2000 as the head of Financial Planning & Analysis within the Controllers function.  I spent my first 19 years in the same department, albeit holding different management roles and ultimately serving as the Controller for our Service Delivery and Systems, Institutional Equities Business as well at the Business Line Controller for the Administration division.

How Blending Culture & Career Led Me to Human Resources

In those early days at BBH, I co-founded the Firm’s first Black Affinity Network. We established the employee-led group to celebrate African American, Caribbean/West Indian, and African ancestry through informational events, awareness-raising activities, and philanthropic initiatives. Most importantly though, we used the network as a resource to strengthen the leadership pipeline for people of multicultural descent by supporting development and educational opportunities, promoting the benefits of an inclusive culture, and helping members build meaningful relationships at every level of the organization.

The work we did in the Black Affinity Network to promote diverse skill sets and internal mobility helped me in my own career many years later. In 2019, I transitioned to my current role as the Global Head of Human Resources Operations. The intricacies of the Human Resources department were foreign territory for me, but the unknowns piqued my curiosity—which has always been my motivation. Stepping into a department where I had no experience certainly came with its challenges, but it’s been a rewarding journey where I’ve discovered how adaptable and versatile I am and how I can apply early life lessons to my career.

If you live your life by valuing your integrity at the highest level and following through on your commitments, you will achieve success in whatever you do.



My father once told me, if you live your life by valuing your integrity at the highest level and follow through on your commitments, you will achieve success in whatever you do.” While not specifically career advice, it has given me the confidence to try something new. I knew that if I followed my father’s advice, I would navigate the new leadership dynamics, find my voice and be successful in building a positive reputation for myself amongst my new colleagues. Two years later, I’m proud to say that by remaining true to that advice, I’ve quickly adapted to my new role and feel confident in the contributions I make to the team.

The path of least resistance isn’t the right choice for those of us who thrive when challenged.  Staying where I was would have been easy, but veering from that path has been one of my career’s great rewards.

Interested in exploring a career at BBH? Learn about Life at BBH and browse our open roles.

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