Thriving in DEI: Cicely Tomlinson’s Journey at Mutual of Omaha

Published with permission from African-American Career World. Originally titled: “Tomlinson Changes Roles and Thrives at Mutual of Omaha.”

Cicely Tomlinson, as the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) director for Mutual of Omaha, helps create an inclusive and equitable work environment that supports personal growth.

“I help create a sense of belonging by curating resources and programming that expand awareness, spark empathy and initiate any necessary changes in support of the environment,” she describes.

One of 6,000 associates throughout the country, Tomlinson sees seven skills and traits that lead to hiring. “Our associates are collaborative, critical thinkers, strong communicators, high in integrity, resilient, curious, and empathetic,” she cites.

If hired, then you’ll likely enjoy the Mutual of Omaha workforce as much as Tomlinson does.

“The people I have the privilege of working with genuinely care about each other’s well-being and root for each other to succeed. We also care deeply about our customers.”

If you want to join this caring workforce and are still in school, then Tomlinson has some advice for you: “Stay curious. Leverage social media and follow associations related to the position you aspire to.

Within the insurance industry, I’d recommend organizations like American Academy of Actuaries or the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).”

Tomlinson also urges you to learn pertinent information about the different roles in insurance and companies in the industry, keep up with trends, make note of influential stakeholders in the field, and become privy to internship opportunities.

“Students should also take advantage of any free or low-cost webinars or conferences to gain additional insights and make connections with insurance professionals,” she further advises. “What you know and who you know will be important when identifying the next steps in their career journey.”

All career journeys present challenges, however. Here’s how Tomlinson met one, moving from the government relations team to the DEI team: “I’d come to appreciate the relationships I established.

I understood the workflow, and I knew what was expected of me. In August 2020, when I was invited to transition to the DEI team, though excited, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t have enough inputs to conduct a cost-benefit analysis that would help me make this monumental decision.”

There were so many unknowns, she recalls. “What would my new team environment feel like? Does work style and product look different in this area? Would I receive the same level of support from my new leader? How much about my work-life routine would change? Will I be able to meet new expectations? So many questions.”

So, what did Tomlinson do? “Ultimately, I decided I didn’t need to have all of the answers. I enjoy learning, and, though scary, this role presented an opportunity for me to learn, build, and expand my knowledge, skills, and capabilities.”

And she found a lot of overlap in the two roles. “I enjoy helping people. Whether in my former role as an advocate in government affairs or in my current DEI role, if I get to speak to, effectuate, or support meaningful positive change that makes even a small portion of someone’s life easier or better, then I feel like I’ve been successful.”

Another factor in her success has been a professional group. “Deciding to join and really engage with Women in Government Relations (WGR) has really made a difference for me. Being involved, building relationships, and receiving an endless supply of support and encouragement gave me confidence in my ability to lead,” she reflects.

In the end Tomlinson learned that leadership isn’t about title or being perfect at everything. “It's about having vision, courage, and resilience, taking calculated risks and leveraging what you learned when the outcomes aren’t as you hoped. Knowing and putting this into practice are two different things, and this is something I prioritize working on daily. Some days are better than others. I’m so appreciative of WGR for helping me cultivate this mindset,” she concludes.