Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Burn Domingo, I am a Data Analyst in the Project Health and Benefits North America team. I started my career at WTW in June 2019 and since joining I have been overwhelmed by the amazing working environment and inclusivity at WTW.

How would you describe the environment at WTW?

In my opinion, the environment at WTW is very inclusive, and the people at WTW are what makes it a great place to work. I was lucky enough to work with some trainers from the US team who were incredibly friendly, approachable, and always willing to lend a helping hand. WTW’s values are deeply rooted within the company and this was clear from the very start of my career here.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the WTW community?

I am part of the LGBT+ community and because WTW has an incredibly inclusive and diverse working environment, there is no discrimination or judgment and we are all completely respected as individuals.

Do you feel like you can truly bring your full self to work at WTW, and if so, why?

I feel like I can always bring my true self to work, without the fear that I will be judged. There is a great work-life balance at WTW which allows me to be myself at work and I am also encouraged to enjoy my personal time. WTW ensures that their colleagues feel included and appreciated, while encouraging us to be ourselves, whoever that may be.

What is your favourite thing about working at WTW and why?

I really enjoyed being a part of one of the WTW Engagement Team projects. Here I was able to share a lot of ideas that encouraged our colleagues to become more involved and enjoy the environment at WTW. Another thing I appreciate are the training opportunities that are conducted for free across the business, which provide new opportunities to colleagues.

What advice would you give to future candidates that are considering joining WTW?
Joining WTW has made me much more confident as a person and has aided in my development of many skills. They have helped me grow and are not afraid to challenge me. If you are looking for a company that will provide endless opportunities and encouragement in the development of your career, then WTW is a great company to work for.

Learn more about our Benefits Administration Team by clicking here.

What is your role at WTW?

As a technology leader at WTW, I am responsible for driving innovative technology initiatives in India and bringing a seamless digital journey across the organization. My focus is to build, manage, and guide various teams focused on software engineering, application development, program delivery, testing, data, and analytics. I partner with technology leaders and product owners in India and other geographies on projects from inception to completion, to ensure success and deliver great outcomes.

Tell us about your personal journey as a woman in the technology industry.

I started my journey just like any other aspiring techie – one among many who were fascinated by its magic. As I moved ahead, I realized that many women were giving up on their careers too soon because they did not have enough support from their peers. Over the years, I have been presented with many equal opportunities. However, in the early days of my career, achieving certain goals as a woman seemed difficult due to a lack of inclusivity in the workplace. Since noticing this, I have always raised my voice and stood strong for what I believe in; to ensure a feeling of security and a sense of belonging for all. My past experiences are what make me so proud of the welcoming and inclusive culture at WTW. Unlike my previous employers, these values are embedded in everything we do. I believe that without supportive environments, organizations risk the loss of potential leaders.

How has WTW made you feel empowered throughout your career?

WTW has been like a cup of freshly brewed coffee. In the last two years, I have been empowered to make the right choices for myself and my team, leading to better service delivery. The trust my team has offered and the support I have received from my peers and leaders have helped bring out the best in me. The culture of collaboration, equal opportunities, and inclusivity has made me comfortable to request help when needed and ask questions. I consider myself fortunate to work for an organization that has such a great culture, and this has helped me broaden my thought process.

Describe the culture within the tech team at WTW.

Our team is driven by the One WTW principle – “When you get one of us, you get all of us”. We strive to break down barriers, advocate idea sharing and best practices, and motivate ourselves and each other to build capabilities for better business outcomes. WTW’s culture, reinforced by its values and principles, enables us to be as diverse yet as unified as possible. We advocate for a positive and supportive work environment that brings out the best in us and fosters an innovative and digital outlook.

Having close to twenty years of experience in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring tech joiners?

Technology is like magic! It’s in everything that we do. So those who aspire to be in this industry will experience this magic firsthand. I urge all technology aspirants to have faith in themselves, take risks, fail fast, learn, and recover. You will always have a choice to go with the flow or try and make a positive difference. Your choices will help to build a world that will be relevant for us and future generations.

What was it like when you were growing up?

I grew up in the 60s in a small town in Oklahoma. Ever since I was aware of the world, I thought there was something unfinished about me; something was missing. As a child I could not accept that I was a girl – I was as tomboy as they come. Tomboys were expected to grow out of their boyish stage, but I never did. It wasn’t a stage for me, it was a reality. Small town customs told me being different was bad and, in that atmosphere, I didn’t realize acceptance was possible. I was so sheltered by my family that I didn’t know what homosexuality was until I was a teenager.

What challenges have you faced throughout your journey?

I thought I was just weird for not behaving like other girls my age, not realizing I was only parroting the social mores of the era. It didn’t occur to me that I might be one of those ‘different’ people. I always found reasons for not identifying myself as such because I was influenced by the prejudice of others. I didn’t mind being female exactly, but I had a hard time identifying with that gender. When I eventually married and had children – bowing to the pressure of social expectations – I was a good parent and loved my children, but I was a frankly unhappy spouse. Several years after the divorce I developed breast cancer, had surgery, and finally saw in the mirror what I always thought was right for me – not physically male, not automatically female, but the physical representation of male instinct and female intuition. I came to realize I was a Two-Spirit who glided fluidly between genders and hid my boyish proclivity for the sake of social order. I never should have had to hide it at all.

How have things changed for you over time?

The days of “he’s queer” or “she must be a dyke” are not entirely behind us now but the atmosphere and circumstances are so much more accepting than they used to be. People are finally beginning to understand that no one asks to be different, and no one should be punished for discovering that they are. When I first onboarded at WTW five years ago, I was asked what pronouns I preferred. I had never been given such an inclusive option before in any workplace, and I was delighted! Given the option at last, I originally preferred he/his/him but over time I realized that as a Two-Spirit, they/their was the more accurate. I think like a man, I laugh like a woman, and I express myself as a human being. I have worth. I have a right to claim that worth. We all do.

How has WTW made you feel welcomed to bring your true self to work every day?

I joined the WTW LGBT+ community and have never felt anything but welcomed at work. My colleagues make an effort to call me he/him or they/their, and even apologize if they slip up and use she/her. This is very kind of them, but I tell them that I am not offended as I accept both sides of my nature. The fact that they all try to make me comfortable means a great deal to me. I have never worked anywhere that is as inclusive as WTW is, and I have been working for many years in different occupations. In the WTW Denver office, a transwoman colleague told me she was a little hesitant before she first arrived at the office but realized on her first day that yes, she felt comfortable being her true self. Everywhere she looked, she saw things like little pride flags or rainbow-related items at workstations, bulletin boards with LGBT+ related event announcements – casual things at first glance, but they served to reassure her that she was in the right place.

Tell us about the challenges you’ve had to overcome during your career journey.

When I was first starting my career, I had no experience and a stutter that spoke louder than my resume. I had recruiters telling me that people would think I was mentally challenged, and interviewers telling me that the people I’d communicate with would chew me up. I faced many obstacles, and it took three years to finally secure a job after college; that then presented an entirely new struggle of communicating with coworkers and clients.

Luckily, I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing people throughout my career that have supported my stutter and always stepped in when necessary to help get the job done. The challenges never really stop, but I’ve grown stronger and more confident in my abilities to face them in my journey.

What was it that made you choose WTW as your employer of choice?

On World Autism Awareness Day, I was scrolling on LinkedIn and I saw a post from WTW highlighting neurodiverse employees. A lot of companies say they are inclusive and diverse, but to me, it comes across more in the sense of hope and charity rather than it being put into practice. When I saw WTW putting action to their words, I was impressed. Then when I joined, within the first week I attended a Black Colleague Connection meeting. It was the first time in my career that I could not count the number of Black people in a company on both hands, and it was a safe space. I loved that. WTW is diverse and inclusive, which means everything to a Black woman who stutters.

What does it mean to you personally, to work for WTW?

It means I’m part of a company that cares, puts action behind their words, and has integrity. Those are the three things that would describe me as well, so I’m right at home.

How have you been welcomed and supported by your colleagues at WTW thus far?

My colleagues are extremely helpful and have ensured that I feel comfortable in the transition and supported. I haven’t been this excited to work for a company since I got my first job after trying for three years.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to apply to WTW, but might be hesitant?

If you don’t try, the answer will always be no. And you should never be the one to tell yourself no. Never count yourself out. This is an environment of excellence and learning. There is room for anyone who wants that.

Can you tell us about your 20-year career journey at Willis Towers Watson?

I joined Willis Towers Watson 20 years ago as an actuarial analyst graduate in London. Almost five years later, in 2006, I was relocated to our expanding office in Atlanta where I joined the Health & Benefits team. Here, I coupled the move to a new country with a change in specialty. This change of scenery, both on a professional and geographical level, led me to quickly realize the value and importance of my analytical and project management skills, as we had to work on a variety of projects with clients from across the globe. Over time, this meant that I ended up frequently stepping outside of the actuarial world and was exposed to other business functions which positively impacted my personal and professional life.

In 2015, a new position was created: associate client relationship director. This is when I decided to embrace the opportunity and venture into the client management world. Six years have passed since then and I am currently a senior director within this business area. Looking back, little did I know that Willis Towers Watson was the company where I would (literally) grow up in and call home almost 20 years later.

What does it mean to be a part of Willis Towers Watson’s Multicultural Inclusion Network (MCIN)?

The MCIN is an incredible colleague-led group that relentlessly works to highlight Willis Towers Watson’s diverse teams and talent. I’m originally from Trinidad and Tobago, so being part of a network that has introduced me to colleagues with similar Caribbean backgrounds has been one of the highlights of my career. I am very proud to be part of this group as it fosters comradery, connection and inclusion which in turn makes us feel comfortable in bringing our true and best selves to work.

Why do you think it is key to have diverse leaders within an organization?

Diversity has always been the status quo for me. Growing up in Trinidad & Tobago and having a diverse ethnic background myself, I’ve been able to witness how diversity in leadership brings diversity in thought and problem solving. This is particularly important for us as a company, as we’re always looking for new ways to innovate in order to provide the best solutions to our clients’ needs.

As a leader I’m always working towards supporting diverse talent and encouraging colleagues to advance their career. That’s why I am also part of the COBALT (Creating Opportunities for Black and LatinX Talent) program and a local co-leader of the Workplace Leadership Group whose mission is to create an inclusive work environment and enhance the overall colleague experience within the company.

How have the Willis Towers Watson culture and values help you adapt to working in different locations and business areas?

Over the past 20 years, I’ve been given the opportunity to work in two different countries and continents. This has enabled me to experience Willis Towers Watson’s unwavering commitment towards delivering excellent work and supporting colleagues’ growth.

When I first moved to the United States and joined the Health & Benefits function, I didn’t have a background in this area, much less in the North America region as I had only worked in Trinidad & Tobago and London before. However, I was incredibly motivated and inspired when my fellow colleagues, managers and leaders shared their knowledge and invested time in my development. This continues to encourage me to keep stepping out of my comfort zone in order to continue growing.

Willis Towers Watson has supported me throughout the various phases of my personal life to date: as a new hire, a newlywed and a new parent working part-time for a period and then returning to full-time. Seeing how the company and my colleagues flexed around my professional growth, ambitions and changing personal circumstances throughout the years, made me realize that this is more than just a company – it is a place where individuals are equipped to become the best, most authentic version of themselves.

What has been your greatest learning or piece of advice that you have received throughout your career journey at Willis Towers Watson?

There are two things that have stayed with me: the first is to ‘be authentic’ which for me is keeping things simple. I am a firm believer that if you can’t say it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. The second is to ‘embrace change’. Embrace the opportunities that present themselves even though you may think they are outside of your comfort zone.

What advice would you give to people (or colleagues), particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, looking to progress their career?

There is a place for you here. We have numerous and incredible Inclusion Networks such as the COBALT group, the Black Colleague Connection club, the Gender Equity Network, the Women’s Leadership Development Program or ‘Out@WTW’ (which is part of our LGBT+ Inclusion Network) that will help you feel comfortable in bringing your true to self to work.

Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.

You recently participated in a panel event as part of this year’s ‘Dive In Festival’ (the festival for Diversity and Inclusion in Insurance) – what topics did you cover?

I was invited to discuss Willis Towers Watson’s approach to Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) in Germany, particularly on the topic of equal and fair pay from the following teams’ perspectives:

• Human Resources
• Leadership
• I&D Council
• International governance, which provide cross-organizational guidelines to embed fair pay best practice
• Works Council, which oversee that fair pay best practice is carried out throughout Willis Towers Watson in Germany

The discussion also focused on the 2017 fair pay law that was introduced in Germany and how the companies that participated in the panel had to adapt in order to comply with the guidelines of this law.

Why was it important to you personally to participate in the panel?

My role as the HR Services and Recruitment Lead for the DACH region requires me to be the liaison between the teams and stakeholders mentioned above, that’s why I’m involved in fair and equal pay conversations on a regular basis. However, this topic is not new for me. Throughout my professional career I’ve fought to close pay gaps that might exist between men and women, so I’ve been able to see the evolution that global companies have had in this area, particularly in Germany. For me, this panel represented an opportunity to share my insights on the evolution of equal and fair pay, especially regarding gender but of course also, race, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

What makes you proud to work at Willis Towers Watson?

One of the things that makes me a proud Willis Towers Watson colleague is our unwavering commitment to I&D and how teams globally go above and beyond to action this commitment. For example, in Germany we implemented an infrastructure that includes processes and tools that help us focus on embedding fair pay best practice throughout the organization and across all professional levels.

How do you champion Willis Towers Watson’s values?

By always upholding Willis Towers Watson’s I&D commitment in all my HR functions and responsibilities. This has made me live our values to the fullest with a focus on:

• Promoting teamwork
• Being a client-focused colleague; HR and the business have the same overall goals
• Strengthening our reputation as an equitable employer of choice
• Respecting other colleagues’ ideas, contributions and personality

What are your hopes/aspirations regarding the panel topic for the future?

My hope is that we continue to discuss how closing the pay gap is part of creating an inclusive, fair and diverse work culture and environment and take steps to address this. Willis Towers Watson is globally committed to I&D. This also includes raising awareness about any potential pay gaps between men and women and sharing knowledge on how to address this.

Is there anything else you want to share about the panel discussion or topics that were discussed?

The panel discussion was very valuable because we were able to share our experiences and learn from each other. The fact that the panellists were from a very diverse range of disciplines (HR professionals, works council members, consultants, freelancers, authors, etc.) helped to introduce a myriad of insights, perspectives and pain points that otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to identify and discuss.

I believe that the most important takeaways from this panel discussion were:

1. Fair pay creates value: while some leaders might think that embedding fair pay best practice may negatively impact an organization’s financial performance, the result is the contrary. Fair pay means that your workforce is motivated and committed towards the growth of the company.
2. Sharing knowledge helps to close the pay gap: openly discussing the challenges on the topic of fair pay in events like Dive In create great opportunities for companies and thought leaders to share knowledge on how to close the pay gap globally and throughout the industry.

We must focus on creating more opportunities to exchange ideas, insights and approaches to make fair pay the common practice!

Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.

As I walk into Willis Towers Watson reception in London on my first day back at work following over a year on maternity leave, my first thought is wow! The building looks great, I feel happy and excited to be back and genuinely feel proud to work here.

Having spoken with many new parents (both in my personal life and with candidates as part of my role) I know that I am very lucky to have had such an incredibly positive experience. My line manager has been very supportive of my flexible working application, which has been significant in enabling me to effectively manage my job and family life. It can be a daunting experience those first few weeks back. What has changed? Will I remember everything? How will I balance my work with a hectic family life? As well as having the great support of my line manager, I spoke with my mentor at Willis Towers Watson who made themselves available to me within those first couple of weeks. I felt I gained advice and reassurance when I most needed it.

I feel valued at Willis Towers Watson and know, with the support of the company, I can still have a successful career while also leading a fulfilling life as a parent.

Learn more about the Willis Towers Watson values and benefits here or take a look at our current roles here.