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#MyWTW: Growing up at and with Willis Towers Watson: Nichelle Daulby’s 20-year journey of personal and professional growth
Senior Director, Nichelle Daulby, shares her inspiring 20-year career journey and how Willis Towers Watson’s inclusive culture and diverse colleagues have made the company a place that she can call ‘home away from home’.
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.
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#MyWTW: Our Colleagues Celebrate Willis Towers Watson Becoming Part of
Singapore’s Best Employers 2021
Leng Leng Ng, Country Leader, Head of Corporate Risk and Broking, Singapore
Agnes Cassandra Lee, Human Resources Lead, Singapore
Singapore Country Leader and Head of Corporate Risk and Broking, Leng Leng Ng, and Human Resources Lead in Singapore, Agnes Cassandra Lee, share their insights on Willis Towers Watson’s latest achievement: becoming part of The Straits Times’ Singapore Best Employers 2021 ranking. Learn more about this recognition and how our colleagues feel about working for a top employer.
What does being included as one of the companies in Singapore’s Best Employers ranking mean to you as a Willis Towers Watson leader?
Leng Leng Ng: We are delighted to see that Willis Towers Watson has made it into the top 200 ranking of Singapore’s Best Employers. Last year brought many unexpected changes for everyone, so being included in this ranking is recognition that we have supported our colleagues well at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic by coming together to tackle 2020’s changes and challenges, especially when all of us were working from home.
Virtual Koppicino Meetings in Singapore
Leng Leng Ng: Colleagues are the reason why we continue to give our best to clients. This accolade demonstrates the strength and impact of one of our core values: teamwork. It’s been amazing to see how our teams have worked together to support each other and stay connected by carrying out virtual and fun gatherings such as the ‘virtual koppicino (cappuccino) meetings’!
How do you see being a best employer in action at Willis Towers Watson?
Leng Leng Ng: At Willis Towers Watson we go above and beyond to engage with our colleagues and promote an inclusive culture and work environment. We make sure that our commitment to Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) is put into practice throughout the organization and across all levels. This is how we empower our teams to have safe and open discussions, where ideas are taken into account in order to deliver top-quality solutions for both, our people and clients.
Leng Leng Ng: Similarly, we also focus on recognizing and celebrating our colleagues’ achievements. In 2020 we launched the Willis Towers Watson ‘Hall of Fame’, a regional initiative where we virtually commended those colleagues who had gone beyond their responsibilities to bring the best of Willis Towers Watson’s expertise to our clients. Last but not least, we also prioritize our teams’ professional growth, that’s why we re-launched a mentoring program in Singapore with the aim of coaching colleagues to thrive in challenging situations.
How do your colleagues and team feel about working at Willis Towers Watson and receiving this award?
Agnes Cassandra Lee: We are extremely happy to be receiving this recognition as it is a tribute to our colleagues’ teamwork and efforts to make everyone feel comfortable in being their true and authentic selves. A big part of why we come to work is because of the close-knit culture of our company. Our inclusive environment and diverse colleagues make us a unique employer, and this has always been a part of Willis Towers Watson’s DNA. Here in Singapore, we have a diverse group of individuals from 20 different countries and backgrounds. This allows them to feel comfortable in bringing different ideas and perspectives to their day-to-day work and deliverables.
How did Willis Towers Watson’s culture of flexible working help support colleagues during COVID-19?
Leng Leng Ng: During the pandemic, our biggest concern was our colleagues’ safety and wellbeing – physical and mental. I&D has been pivotal in the process of supporting our people to navigate through these unprecedented times, while ensuring everyone was well equipped to maintain productivity levels as they worked remotely. Many of our colleagues are parents, so they had to adapt to the new work from home arrangements and to juggle between work and taking care of their children. Willis Towers Watson’s flexible work policies have been key in providing our colleagues the tools to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Leng Leng Ng: We also shared resources for managers to support their team members in managing anxiety, stress and their mental wellbeing. As health was one of the key concerns during the COVID-19 lockdown last year, we introduced telemedicine services for our colleagues and their family members here in Singapore where they could consult with a doctor through a virtual clinic 24/7. All these small efforts helped to improve the work from home experience of our teams.
Singapore’s Best Employers 2021 Ranking
What is The Straits Times’ Singapore Best Employers 2021 ranking?
The Singapore Best Employers 2021 ranking is based on independent surveys of more than 9,000 employees conducted by The Straits Times and global research company Statista. Participants were asked to rate over 1,700 companies across 26 industry sectors in Singapore between August and October 2020. These included various work-related topics, from salary, work-life balance to potential for development, their work environment and company reputation.
Click here to learn more about Willis Towers Watson becoming part of Singapore’s Best Employers 2021.
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#MyWTW: Creating Connections Between Speech and Hearing-Impaired Colleagues
Pensions Administration Advisor, Karuna Jose, shares her experience of what it’s like to work at Willis Towers Watson while being a speech and hearing-impaired colleague. Discover how our inclusive culture and support from our colleagues helped her to seamlessly communicate with her team at the office and as we transitioned to working from home.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
I recently celebrated my first year at Willis Towers Watson.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
My role involves assisting various Technology and Administrative Solutions clients. As the global pandemic developed, our clients started working from home, which resulted in an increased volume of client queries. However, I was able to successfully meet the service level agreements that we have with our clients. This was a rewarding experience that increased my expertise, strengthened my confidence as a professional and gave me the opportunity to participate in new client-facing projects.
How was your experience of joining Willis Towers Watson as a speech and hearing-impaired colleague?
Joining a new company can be overwhelming and this is especially true when you are differently-abled. Being speech and hearing-impaired, I’ve always been apprehensive about communicating with new colleagues.
On my first day at Willis Towers Watson, I was amazed to find out that the company’s Mumbai Inclusion & Diversity core committee and the Talent Acquisition team had partnered with Eklayva Foundation to conduct a two-day workshop for my team to get acquainted with the basics of Indian sign language. This made me feel welcomed and provided an insight into the company’s culture and commitment to make everyone feel comfortable in bringing their true selves to work.
How has this differed from past experiences?
My experience as a new colleague at Willis Towers Watson was completely different from what I’ve encountered in the past. In other organizations, I would sometimes struggle to communicate with other colleagues. My former team members and I would type out messages in order to have conversations with each other which was very time-consuming.
The fact that a few Willis Towers Watson colleagues already knew sign language made it easy to not only coordinate tasks but also strike a conversation, express myself, and build healthy relationships.
How did Willis Towers Watson help you to seamlessly communicate with other colleagues?
Colleagues who work closely with me attended the Eklayva Foundation workshop that the company had organized on sign language, which helped to set good foundations for communication. This was the first time that a workshop like this had taken place at Willis Towers Watson India, so I was very grateful to experience the results of it on my first day.
How did you adapt as we transitioned to working remotely during COVID-19?
I am used to working with colleagues and teams in person. As the pandemic continued to develop, I started feeling anxious and stressed at the thought of working from home, since this could potentially impact how I communicate with other colleagues. However, this was not the case thanks to Willis Towers Watson’s support and internal communication platforms.
I must say technology has played a crucial role in my work from home experience. Since some of my colleagues understand how to use Indian sign language, video conversations are mainly what we use to communicate during trainings, one-on-one meetings and daily interactions with the team. Also, popular messaging apps help me to stay connected with fellow team members.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
I am extremely thankful to my colleagues, Asha and Rajiv, for always being there for me and making my experience so fruitful. I also appreciate the technical support and workshop on sign language organized by the company that has made communication seamless and effective.
What is your favorite part about working for Willis Towers Watson?
I love to work across the different areas at Willis Towers Watson and my team has always guided me to excel in every task. The company culture and the values leave no stone unturned to make every colleague feel appreciated, I truly respect this.
I also appreciate the fact that Willis Towers Watson’s unwavering commitment to I&D truly gave me the tools to carry out my daily operations confidently. Each of my colleagues has exemplified the inclusive culture of the company. They clearly know how to create connections between the hearing and hearing-impaired world. These thoughtful efforts are a direct reflection of the culture and this is truly inspiring.
What advice would you give to a differently-abled person that is looking to apply for a role at Willis Towers Watson?
I would encourage them to join an organization like Willis Towers Watson in order to experience the all-inclusive culture that connects colleagues and creates an environment where they can reach their full potential.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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#MyWTW: Completing an application and starting a new position virtually during lockdown
Head of Global Security Operations, Marvi Napoles, joined Willis Towers Watson a couple of months ago. Discover Marvi’s insights on starting a new job during lockdown and some great tips on completing online interviews.
How long have you worked at Willis Towers Watson?
I’ve been at Willis Towers Watson for just over two months.
What are you responsible for at Willis Towers Watson?
My team is responsible for ensuring the timely detection, triage and appropriate escalation of security events that might affect the availability, confidentiality and integrity of Willis Towers Watson’s data and systems.
How did you find the virtual recruitment process?
It started with one of our recruiters reaching out via LinkedIn who told me that Willis Towers Watson was looking for a Head of Global Security Operations based in the Philippines. Although I wasn’t looking to change jobs, the recruiter’s friendly and professional approach, along with Willis Towers Watson’s good reputation and culture, made me look into the opportunity and apply.
What did you like most about the recruitment process?
I was impressed with the level of detail and effort that recruiters put in to make me feel comfortable and ensure that the process ran smoothly. For example, I received timely and detailed communication about my interview schedule, interviewers’ names and technological specifications (since all the interviews took place virtually due to the lockdown).
I was also very pleased with the fact that my recruiter reached out regularly to let me know about the status of my application and next steps.
What would you recommend to a candidate who’s preparing for an online interview at Willis Towers Watson?
When you are invited to an online interview, you need to make sure that technology will be on your side. This means planning ahead:
- If your internet connection is stronger at certain times of the day, see if you can arrange your interview during that period, while bearing in mind the time zone of your interviewer(s)
- Check you have installed the required conference call software – this also includes checking that your audio and camera are working. Remember to pick a quiet, private place where you won’t be interrupted
- Join the interview a couple of minutes early – that way you’ll be able to check that everything is working and relax into your interview
Starting a new job can be a stressful experience. Did you have any concerns about starting a new role virtually?
I cannot deny the fact that sometimes starting a new job can be a bit stressful, particularly because we’re still adapting to the ‘new normal’. However, I was still very excited and enthusiastic. I was concerned about how teamwork and collaboration might be affected by starting a new role virtually. While I don’t think we can replace the benefit of interacting live in person, technology has empowered me and my colleagues to stay connected through video calls.
How do you stay connected with your team and other colleagues?
With the current situation, we have had to get creative about staying connected online. While normally team building activities with colleagues is something typically done in person, we have moved this to the virtual sphere. As well as being present on team catch ups and organizing one to one sessions with my colleagues, we have built a Microsoft Teams group where we share some of what we do outside of work hours. This has proven to be a great tool to find out about my colleagues’ hobbies and interests outside of work!
How was your first day and week at Willis Towers Watson?
The local HR and IT team managed to safely send to my home all the necessary equipment ahead of my first day. I also received a welcome package from the company with some helpful guides on how to get started and with some important contact information.
During my first week I focused on introducing myself to my team and to other colleagues around the globe. My manager was also very helpful and involved me in meetings that helped me dive into the work and understand our main priorities and projects. Even though I’m quite new within the company, what I love the most about working here is the opportunity we’re given to collaborate with different teams and meet colleagues from different business segments and parts of the world. These first couple of months have been exciting, different, and full of positive experiences. I’m looking forward to what the future will bring for me and my colleagues at Willis Towers Watson.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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Meet Willis Towers Watson’s 2020 HR Rising Star, Anna Stonelake
Every year Willis Towers Watson recognizes a colleague in the Human Resources (HR) function who has demonstrated exceptional growth potential in HR leadership and is a role model of our values. This recognition is given through the Gail E. McKee Memorial HR Rising Star Award, which was created to honor our colleague Gail E. McKee.
This year, the HR Rising Star Award recipient is Talent Advisor for Talent & Rewards, Anna Stonelake. Anna shares her experience on finding out that she had won and her insights on working at Willis Towers Watson.
What was your initial reaction to hearing you were nominated for and won the award?
It was a very surreal moment and one I will never forget! Our Chief Administrative Officer and Head of HR, Anne Bodnar, invited me to an online meeting to share the great news. I wasn’t aware I had been nominated (as this is the process for the HR Rising Star Award) so it took a few minutes to sink in. I felt very overwhelmed, humbled and honored that I had been recognized by my fellow colleagues. Since winning the award I’ve learned from different teams across Willis Towers Watson what a positive and inspiring impact Gail had on the colleagues she worked with, I am so glad her memory and legacy continues to be honored through this yearly award.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of work? Have you developed any new hobbies or interests since the onset of COVID-19?
I have two young children (four and six years-old) so they keep me very busy, but when I am not running around trying to keep them out of mischief, I enjoy renovating our house. It was built in 1903 and it hadn’t been touched for 30-40 years when we bought it six years ago. It has been a labor of love (and stress) ever since, but we are nearly there, just the garden to finish now!
Since the onset of COVID-19, I have a newfound appreciation for the outdoors. My family and I are lucky to live in a village with lots of countryside on our doorstep. My local gym has been shut on and off for most of 2020, and to counter this I now enjoy running three times a week and walking in the local woods at the weekend with the family. It’s surprising how sticks, mud, bikes and puddles can keep children entertained for hours, and fresh air really does help to clear your mind.
How has Willis Towers Watson supported you in unlocking potential in your career and development?
Since I joined Willis Towers Watson just over two years ago, I have been given opportunities to get involved in lots of different projects and initiatives across HR. I feel lucky to have such supportive colleagues to bounce ideas off, discuss challenges with and ask for advice. I have always been encouraged to try and improve the way we add value to the businesses we support and believe having this freedom and encouragement to think creatively has really helped me grow as a professional.
Gail E. McKee impacted the lives of many colleagues. Is there someone who has had an impact on your career, and can you describe how they have influenced your career growth?
It is very difficult to choose one colleague, within our HR function there are lots of strong female leaders based all around the world that inspire me. I have noticed over time that all have very similar leadership values: a strong work ethic, compassion, pragmatism, fairness and a positive energy which is very compelling.
If I had to choose one colleague, it would be our Global Talent Business Leader for Talent & Rewards and member of the Willis Towers Watson Global Inclusion & Diversity council, Suzanne McAndrew. Suzanne is a very inspiring leader and colleague. Her leadership style is open, positive, creative and direct, and through our interactions and partnership she inspires me to be a better version of myself professionally. I am always thankful for her feedback and insight.
I am also a strong believer that your support system outside of work impacts how you perform professionally. To that degree I think my husband has been amazing at supporting me to focus on my career and in helping me balance my personal and family commitments, especially in the past six months.
What do you think it takes to succeed in Human Resources at Willis Towers Watson?
Willis Towers Watson offers fantastic HR career opportunities if you have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, curiosity to learn, confidence and energy to question/challenge the status quo constructively. You also need to be a strong team player; in my experience you will not be successful if you try to do everything yourself, particularly when there are so many HR colleagues with a wealth of experience that you can reach out to for help and advice. The support network within Willis Towers Watson’s HR teams is fantastic, but you need to put the effort in to build your own network and always be willing to help one another out.
Learn more about our different roles and business areas here.
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Equal Pay, Gender Pay Gap, Fair Pay – what’s behind it?
Human Resources (HR) Services and Recruitment Lead for the Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) region, Kerstin Plag, participated in one of Dive In Festival 2020’s panel discussions: ‘Equal Pay, Gender Pay Gap, Fair Pay – What’s Behind It?’ Discover Kerstin’s insights and takeaways.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
#WhereAreTheyNow Merylle Anne Aldea
Software Development Engineer in Test
(former Quality Assurance Intern)
Team Quality Assurance
Segment Human Capital & Benefits
Location Taguig City, Philippines
Program Internship program 2018
University De La Salle University
How did you come across our Internship program offering?
I was at my school’s Job Expo in search for an internship program and Willis Towers Watson was one of the participating companies. Out of all the companies I applied for, Willis Towers Watson was the first one to reply back, so I guess it was meant to be!
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were an intern
As an intern, I was part of the Quality Assurance Team at Human Resources (HR) Portal. I was trained to do both manual testing and automated User Interface/Application Programming Interfaces testing. I was also involved in everyday colleague tasks and was immersed into the different traditions of the team since day one.
What were some key things that you learnt during your Internship program?
Although my internship went by very quickly, I think I was able to maximize my three months of training. The experience I gained during my internship program was incomparable to the lessons taught in school – which only goes to show that not everything can be learned in the four corners of a classroom. The program also introduced me to technologies that I had never encountered before, which sharpened my programming skills. Most of the things I experienced were new to me and I took it all in with an open mind.
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
I recall having to dance to Jingle Bell Rock in front of other Quality Assurers from the Software Development Team. I was told that this was a requirement for me to join the team. It was a joke of course, but I was gullible enough to believe it anyway!
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
I liked that there is no sense of one-upmanship even though most of my colleagues are already experienced developers. Everyone is always willing to help one another and is ready to rise to the occasion. There is a contagious positive energy in the team that makes you push yourself to work harder. Also, work-life balance is very important to me, so I was very happy to know that the company allows colleagues to work flexible hours.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Internship program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were an intern?
Immediately after the Internship program, I was hired as a full-time Software Development Engineer in Test. Throughout my internship I prepared for this role, so I was very proud of myself when I got officially hired.
How did being an intern help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
My transition from being an intern to a full-time colleague was seamless since the program fully equipped me for the role. My involvement in the team’s daily activities made it easier for me to adapt with minimal adjustments.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
I’m thankful for my manager, my Test Solution Architect, and of course my buddy, for being patient while I was still learning the ropes. I could say that they were the three people who not only saw what I am capable of, but also believed in what I could possibly offer in the future. I would also like to thank the whole HR Portal family who have always supported me since I was an intern and beyond. I am happy to say that I found life-long friends in them.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
There will be a lot of things that you won’t know at first, and that is perfectly okay. Being in that position is a humbling experience and it will help you strive harder. Just be patient and try your best because there will always be colleagues to help you along the way at Willis Towers Watson.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering an internship at Willis Towers Watson?
I would thoroughly recommend applying for this scheme. I have learned an extraordinary amount even under quite unusual circumstances, and the internship has certainly increased my appetite for a career in this industry. Practically, I would recommend grasping every opportunity, talking to as many people as you can and asking every question you have – no matter how silly you fear it is! For reinsurance specifically, expect an inordinate number of acronyms, and invest in watching a quick YouTube tutorial in how to do v-look-ups!
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
#WhereAreTheyNow Felipe Pradel
Property & Casualty Intern
(former Property & Casualty Apprentice)
Team Property & Casualty
Segment Corporate Risk & Broking
Location São Paulo, Brazil
Program Apprenticeship program 2018 and Internship program 2019
University Universidade Paulista
How did you come across our Internship program offering?
When the term of my Health & Benefits (H&B) apprenticeship contract was almost finished, the Property & Casualty (P&C) team offered me to join their Internship program.
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were an apprentice
As an apprentice in the H&B team, I learned how to quote and contract Individual Life and Travel Insurance and manage the relationship with clients. I also provided support to activities in the Life Insurance area.
What were some key things that you have learnt during your Internship program?
As an intern, I am learning how to work with Hub Network Outbound Support & Administration with Latin American countries and local clients. In addition, I’m also learning about internal global communications and the renewal of assistance of customer service provision, amongst other responsibilities.
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
Winning the tickets to the BRAZIL x BARBARIANS Rugby game! I am an avid rugby fan and I enjoy playing. Due to my academic and professional responsibilities I haven’t been able to find the time to play anymore. So being able to attend to a game with some colleagues was an amazing experience.
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
The caring treatment towards colleagues, recognizing and reminding us that we are not just numbers but people who are valued greatly.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Internship program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were an intern?
I am still in the early careers program, but I feel more confident each day working on global programs’ processes. The range for technical and professional growth is large, which have been my goals since I joined Willis Towers Watson.
How did being an apprentice help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
Being an apprentice helped me understand and keep track of insurance contracting processes, build relationships with clients and foster the relation with my colleagues, all of which served as a basis for most of my current responsibilities.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
Willis Towers Watson is filled with expert professionals who are always ready to help other colleagues, like me, grow. I would like to thank my mentors: Adilson Dos Santos and Heney Fernandez as well as Paula Campos and Bruno Torres who discovered me and brought me to the P&C team. Also, I’m grateful for my H&B colleagues, Andrea Zaboni, Silvania Cardoso and Pedro Prata, who always supported me.
Lastly, I would like to thank Eduardo Escudeiro and Andressa Stail for the trust and willingness to guide and support me throughout the different stages of the programs.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
Be prepared to join Willis Towers Watson with confidence and willingness to learn and execute. Your good work will be recognized!
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
#WhereAreTheyNow Michael McConnell
Data Services Consultant
(former Data Services Graduate)
Team Data Services
Segment Human Capital & Benefits
Location Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program Graduate program 2016
University University of Virginia and McIntire School of Commerce
How did you come across our Graduate program offering?
In 2015 I was in my final year of university and decided to apply to companies where I could see myself working and building a career. I was drawn immediately to Willis Towers Watson for its breadth of career opportunities and business portfolio. That paired with the organization’s inspiring values made me feel from early-on that Willis Towers Watson would be a great place to work and begin building a career. I joined Willis Towers Watson’s Graduate program in 2016 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which concluded two years later.
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were a graduate
Upon joining the company, I began working in the Data Services team. My responsibilities included growing our annual surveys by managing a list of United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia-based existing and potential clients, supporting clients with salary benchmarking and contributing where needed on proposals and projects.
What were some key things that you learnt during your Graduate program?
The Graduate program was an excellent learning experience for me – I hadn’t written a proposal, made an outbound call or managed a client relationship before joining Willis Towers Watson. By the end of the two year program, I had strong client relationships, acquired new clients and gained greater confidence as a Consultant. This combined with the great client diversity in the Middle East, the different types of sectors, industry sizes and geography has made my experience very enriching.
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
It’s hard to choose a best memory since I have many. If I had to name one, I would say it was my first CEO presentation with my Line Manager, Laurent Leclère. The two of us were working on a project for a major oil and gas company in Saudi Arabia and were invited to present our findings to the Board of Directors. As a new colleague, I was grateful for the trust I was given and the unique opportunity to participate in a senior client presentation. I hadn’t heard of many people at my experience level to be given that opportunity at other companies. This is part of what I love about working at Wills Towers Watson – we are truly empowered as colleagues.
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
While I could emphasize the values themselves, which are certainly inspiring in their own right and help make us a successful company, the actual implementation and living of these values day-to-day is what I like most. After having worked with colleagues from across the world, I realized that every single one of them truly lives up to our values. It’s one thing to have values as part of your brand, but it’s another thing to put them in practice, which is the most impressive in my view.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Graduate program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were a graduate?
I’ve only been a Data Services Consultant, but I have been able to work on a variety of projects that have given me exposure to other work in Rewards and even some Talent projects. I expected to work in Data Services, of course, but I didn’t expect I’d have the exposure to the other lines of business as I’ve had.
How did being a graduate help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
Certainly as a Data Services Consultant my graduate years on the team were indispensable for me to better understand the position and to be more successful. That early exposure also made the job more fun as I’m more comfortable and confident in the role now.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
There’s many people I could thank, but the key people who have helped me are Dr. Ahmad Waarie, Roman Weidlich, Tom O’Byrne, Lea Farhat, and Eungchang Lee. I also owe a special thanks to my Line Manager, Laurent Leclère, who has taught me a lot about data services, client relationship building and how to be successful in the Data Services team. They say good line managers are key to an enjoyable and successful career and Laurent has certainly been that for me.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
Simply put – I’d say definitely apply. Whether unsure of your desired career path or about which company you’d like to work for, I can only say Willis Towers Watson is a great place to begin your career. The skills you learn, the network of talented, authentic colleagues and the opportunities are all excellent. Working for a global company allowed me to experience countless learning opportunities – such as my own story of coming from the United States and working in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
#WhereAreTheyNow Mel Scrutton
Hub Manager
(former Retirement Graduate)
Team Retirement
Segment Human Capital & Benefits
Location London, United Kingdom
Program Internship program 2014 and Graduate program 2015
University University of Warwick
How did you come across our Graduate program offering?
Willis Towers Watson sponsored the society associated with my degree: Maths, Operational Research, Statistics & Economics (MORSE) at the University of Warwick. Some consultants from their Birmingham office ran some careers’ evenings and office visits and it seemed like a really friendly and interesting place to work at.
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were a graduate
I was able to get involved with real client work straight away as both an intern and when I returned as a graduate, with tasks ranging from calculating pensions and transfer values for individual members to calculating the funding level for whole pension schemes. The work was and still is very varied. After a year and a half I took on the responsibility of organizing some of the new graduates’ training within my office while still being on the Graduate programme myself, which I really enjoyed since it was an opportunity to have a more people-facing role.
What were some key things that you learnt during your Graduate program?
Aside from learning about the technical side of pensions, I’ve also improved my communication skills and confidence, particularly in presenting to others. The variety of work that I have been involved with has been much greater than I ever expected and the main thing I have learned is that pensions are in no way dull!
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
I have a lot of good memories, particularly on the social side of work. We attend the Staple Inn Actuarial Society ball each year in London which is attended by actuaries from a range of companies, and my intake have won the annual Reigate Rounders tournament twice which is always good fun.
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
The main reason for which I decided to return as a graduate after my internship was because of the friendly, supportive and welcoming environment. I felt I was a ‘perfect fit’ with Willis Towers Watson’s culture and values. Here, work is intellectually challenging but also fun and dynamic. I am also proud to work for a company where excellence and client focus are highly valued, as well as maintaining respect for all colleagues.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Graduate program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were a graduate?
I am now a Hub Manager within the Retirement team where I’m responsible for people and resource management for a portfolio of around 40 clients. I have always been a ‘people person’ and thought that I would like to be involved with people management or mentoring, but the opportunity to be involved in this from a relatively early stage of my career was not something I expected. I enjoy this more people-focused role alongside my technical work and I’m glad to have the opportunity to do both.
How did being a graduate help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
Being an intern helped with my initial transition from university to working life and gave me some foundation of pensions knowledge. However, this is definitely just a head-start and not a necessity to coming in as a graduate. The best way to learn is on the job and through the training program provided by Willis Towers Watson, which is of a very high standard. The Graduate program gave me the foundations to build on with client work. However, one of the perks of working here is that every day you continue to learn new things.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
My advice would be to take as many of the opportunities offered to you as you can, even if they seem daunting at the time. I think this is the best way to learn and to realize that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything you want to.
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
