Larry Phillips, 34, grew up with his parents and older brother in Cabrini-Green, on the north side of Chicago.
“I always saw myself as a good student. The only thing that really changed for me when I joined the program was seriously considering college as a viable option.“
At the time, this public housing section struggled with high levels of poverty and crime, making it one of the most dangerous public housing developments in the country.
“I lived there until I was about 11-12 years old. There were daily drive-by shootings, a lot of violence, whether that was the shootings or fights at the local park district, and some massive drug activity,” Larry said.
COLLEGE AS A VIABLE OPTION
From a young age, Larry and his brother were motivated students. His parents, supportive of their kids’ academic pursuits, enrolled both in a private Catholic school to provide them with a better alternative to the troubled public schools in the area.
Larry’s brother, Michael, was already a Boys Hope Girls Hope scholar and acted as Larry’s introduction to the program. Larry joined the Illinois Residential program when he was 12 years old, as a seventh grader, and was able to take advantage of the structure and support it offered to grow his academic interests.
“I always saw myself as a good student. The only thing that really changed for me when I joined the program was seriously considering college as a viable option,” Larry said.
Larry speaking at the 2015 Evening of Hope gala by Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois.
“From a life standpoint, Boys Hope Girls Hope just creates a lot of structure that helps, especially from a time management standpoint.”
After graduating from Loyola Academy High School, Larry went on to study at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Risk Management and Insurance in 2013. He also took the opportunity to study abroad in Sydney, Australia for a semester in 2011.
Larry credits Boys Hope Girls Hope with helping him build meaningful connections, broaden his network, and adapt to the structured environment that ultimately made college more manageable.
“I was confident and felt at ease that I could get through college because of those connections. From a life standpoint, Boys Hope Girls Hope just creates a lot of structure that helps, especially from a time management standpoint. When I got to college, I knew exactly what to do, get homework done, get the most important things done first.”
Larry’s hard work paid off. During college he interned for two summers with Gallagher, one of the largest insurance risk management firms in the world. After graduation he was hired there as an Account Executive. In the 11 years since he started, Larry has advanced through the ranks, first to Assistant Vice President of Culture and Inclusion and in early 2024, he became the Vice President of Diversity and Community.
Cabrini Green residences on West Locust and North Sedgwick streets. February 15, 2008. Photo by TheeErin on Flickr. Photo used under Creative Commons license.
REFLECTING A CHANGING WORLD
Larry and his business partner set out to position Gallagher for success in a rapidly changing world. Their initiative aims to increase the representation of diverse groups in the insurance industry and forge partnerships with minority- and women-owned businesses. Armed with comprehensive data, they secured a meeting with the company’s global CEO to present their findings and recommendations.
“The world is becoming more diverse. Specifically, here in the US the minority population expects to become the majority by the year 2043. The insurance and tech industries are lagging behind from an inclusion and diversity standpoint. So, we basically said ‘Hey, given the data, that means there’s going to be an increase in diverse decision makers. So, it’s going to become increasingly important for us to represent, better mirror and be able to better connect with the increasingly diverse customer base.’”
In the seven years since Larry and his business partner started, their program has successfully tripled Gallagher’s business from these partnerships.
Outside of work, Larry enjoys spending time with his family and friends, staying fit by working out and playing basketball, traveling the world, and staying involved with nonprofit organizations that mean something to him and give back to the community, such as Boys Hope Girls Hope.
Larry previously served as the President of the Junior board of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois from 2015 until 2021. He was also a mentor for a scholar from the Illinois affiliate between 2015 and 2019. In 2018, at the inaugural Boys Hope Girls Hope Excellence Awards, Larry received the Legacy of Hope Award, given to alumni who exemplify the spirit of being well-educated, career-ready, and community-minded. Moreover, Larry also donated his time to the Big Shoulders Fund during that same time, an organization with a similar mission to Boys Hope Girls Hope that operates in Chicago.
Larry Phillips got the Legacy of Hope Award at the inaugural Boys Hope Girls Hope Excellence Awards in 2018. Left to right: Joe Koenig (President, World Wide Technology), Larry Phillips, Rebecca Limbaugh (Executive Director, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit), John Vatterott (longtime Boys Hope Girls Hope supporter), and Kristin Ostby de Barrillas (President and CEO, Boys Hope Girls Hope).
AUTHOR
Martin Totland is the Media and Communications Coordinator for Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters.
When thinking back on his time with Boys Hope Girls Hope, Larry appreciates the opportunities it gave him.
“It means a lot obviously. Boys Hope Girls Hope has done a lot for me. It has been near and dear to my heart. So, I’m just trying to make more of an impact for that program specifically.”
He also appreciates the opportunities to give back:
“To be able to pay it forward helps me to show my appreciation for everything. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the people that have been instrumental in my life.”
He continued: “It’s like ‘What can I do?’ It might be something as small as spending an hour with someone once a month, talking to a scholar for an hour out of my day. It’s not a huge time investment for me, but it can mean everything to that scholar, so I’m just trying to do what I can to make the world a better place.”