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Our new “A Rewarding New York Life” series shines a light on the breadth of opportunity available at New York Life, and explores how a role here could check a lot of boxes when it comes to finding a rewarding career and nailing that work-life balance.  

With a history spanning 177 years, New York Life is an insurance company that thrives on its people. And when it comes to group life insurance, New York Life has been protecting employees and their families for several decades. 

In 2020, with the acquisition of Cigna’s group insurance business, New York Life took an exciting step. This was the largest acquisition in the company’s history, and resulted in what is now known as New York Life Group Benefit Solutions (GBS).

We spoke to a group of our dynamic GBS employees about who they are, what they do, and how New York Life supports their personal and professional goals. 

Read Micoa Brown’s interview below and also watch a video as Micoa and her colleague Justin Somers talk about how great it is to work at New York Life.

"The Future Leader" : Micoa Brown, Senior Associate, GBS.

As someone well-versed in the insurance industry, Micoa Brown is a New York Life employee with ambitious professional goals. Over the last 10 years she’s embraced a variety of roles, from managing short-term disability claims, to training new hires.  

As part of our Group Insurance Developing Emerging Leaders Program, Micoa is keen to experience as many areas of the business as possible, ensuring she’s best equipped to become a successful future leader. Micoa speaks to us about her love of development, and the benefits of New York Life’s workplace culture.

The Person:  “Teacher, leader, manager”

Looking to escape the bitter Michigan winters, Micoa was interested in moving her family to a warmer climate in Texas. Having graduated with degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Work, Micoa’s previous employment was with county government. But a new move meant a fresh start, and that was how Micoa found herself kickstarting a successful career in insurance.

At heart, Micoa is a passionate teacher and leader.

“I would say my last three positions were especially rewarding because there were some aspects of teaching with each. I had a job training new hires. Then I worked in implementation, where I was one of the first company faces to meet new businesses—showing them how our products work. And now I help employees understand the new systems.”

When it comes to the many opportunities she’s chosen to embrace, Micoa feels lucky to have settled into an industry that facilitates such rapid professional development.

“In other careers, you might find yourself in the same role for years and years, maybe because there aren’t as many opportunities. I feel like I’ve had an opportunity to do so many things. This is my tenth year, and I’m on my fifth role. Awesome!” Handy with a hammer, Micoa is also a self-proclaimed DIY master, and enjoys renovating her home in her spare time. Post-pandemic, she can’t wait to get back to traveling, and entertaining friends on the weekend.

The Role: “Making the transition seamless”

Micoa currently works as a Business Transition Project Manager and plays an integral part in ensuring the transition of new employees into the New York Life family is as smooth as possible.

“I am responsible for migrating the 4,000-plus users who came over from Cigna into the new GBS systems and technology environment at New York Life. So, it's a big undertaking, and I am loving it.”

Typical days include issue resolution, providing technical support, and generally offering help to employees adjusting to the new systems. For Micoa, working as part of a close-knit team, particularly one as professionally diverse as hers, is of huge appeal. She learns a lot from her team.

 “We’re all across the country! I have the opportunity to work with so many people I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to work with!”

The Culture: “You’re never alone”

After nine years working with Cigna, the transition to New York Life is something Micoa has relished after initial apprehension. Various factors have made the change positive, including finding an improved work-life balance. She’s also a fan of New York Life’s new hybrid 3-2 work week model, which entails three days in the office and two days of remote working.

“I am not a particularly eager work-from-home person—I love to mingle! But I do love the hybrid model where you can go into the office some days and have some days at home. It's the perfect combination.”

Micoa feels supported by New York Life, both personally and professionally. Examples she cites include the different Employee Resource Groups she’s a part of, which provide a way of connecting with like-minded colleagues and building networks designed to support personal and professional growth.

“We have an Employee Resource Group for Black employees called BOLD, and there’s support for women too. I’ve learned how to reach out, connect, and network. If you want to volunteer for a cause outside of work, you can, and that will be supported. I’ve learned that you’re never alone here, and support is always available.”

So, how would Micoa summarize the culture and mindset at New York Life?

“It's so family-oriented, even though they’re a huge company. You really feel that New York Life cares about their employees. They care about you; they care about your life after you are done with the workday.”

Feel inspired? Why not apply to one of our many open roles today.

New York Life Insurance Company is an equal opportunity employer M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

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