For more than a decade, Marketha Washington and Ruben Sandoval have built careers, community and a sense of belonging here at WTW.
As we honor Black History Month in the United States, their stories give life to what it means not just to work here, but to grow, be seen and belong.
Both colleagues joined WTW early in their professional journeys and have built long-term careers rooted in purpose with more than a decade at the organization. Term careers rooted in purpose with more than
Today, Marketha serves as a Director in Retirement – Shared Delivery and as a Colleague Experience Leader, in Texas.
Ruben is the North America Tech, Media and Gaming Industry lead for Work & Rewards, based in Seattle.
Their paths are different, but the thread that ties their experiences together is unmistakable: the culture, the people and the support that makes WTW a place where Black colleagues can thrive.
Finding a place to grow and stay
For Ruben, who joined straight out of school and later made an internal move from Houston to Seattle, the first sign he’d found the right place was simple: the people.
He describes WTW as deeply collaborative, a place where colleagues step in before they’re asked and where success is shared, not guarded.
“I’m not a ‘my clients are only my clients’ person. I’ve stayed here because people genuinely want to help each other, the collaborative culture is real.”
Marketha echoes this sentiment. After nearly 11 years with 7 of those years in Shared Delivery, she credits her longevity to opportunity and constant encouragement from others: “This is a place of opportunity. If you raise your hand, someone will listen and often give you even more than you asked for.”
Both describe WTW as a space where kindness, empathy and intelligence shape the day-to-day experience, a contrast to more rigid or competitive environments they previously knew.
Belonging as a black professional at WTW
When asked what helped them feel they belonged here both instantly recalled examples of advocacy, trust and psychological safety.
For Marketha, belonging came early, often through people who saw her potential before she fully recognized it herself. “I had advocates I didn’t even know were advocating for me. They made space for me to be my true self: my ideas, my voice, my perspective.”
Crucially, she emphasized she never felt she had to “scale back” her identity to fit. The freedom to be authentic, expressive and heard was nonnegotiable.
Ruben shared a similar experience, noting that he has rarely felt racial barriers in the workplace and that the people around him play a key role in that.
“I know my colleagues wouldn’t tolerate anything that undermines inclusion. People here celebrate differences in culture, personality and thought.”
For both, belonging is not abstract: it is something people actively create for each other.
The power of community through internal networks at WTW
Marketha shared that participating in internal communities helped her build relationships visibility and confidence in her voice as a Black professional.
“These spaces connected me with colleagues who truly understand what it feels like to navigate the corporate world as a Black woman. They reminded me that I do not have to hold back who I am and that my perspective has real value”.
She added that being part of a structured leadership and sponsorship program created specifically to advance underrepresented talent gave her the opportunity to grow while staying authentic.
Ruben described similar experiences. He contributed to a local team dedicated to strengthening inclusion and belonging across offices where he helped coordinate learning sessions, speaker conversations and open dialogues designed to bring inclusive behaviors into daily work.
“What mattered most was hearing these messages from people who lived these experiences every day. It felt real, and it made the work meaningful because we were shaping culture together, not just repeating what someone wrote in a handbook”.
Lessons for the next generation of black talent
Both leaders had heartfelt advice for early career Black professionals joining WTW.
Marketha encourages early career Black professionals to show up as their true selves and embrace every chance to grow. She believes mentorship is especially powerful and constantly reminds interns that senior leaders genuinely want to hear from them.
As she says, “They’re giving you their time because they believe in you. So speak up, stay open and use every opportunity to learn”.
Ruben adds that success comes from participating even when things feel uncertain. He urges new colleagues to ask questions and build relationships across the organization because connection fuels confidence.
He highlights that leadership support is meant to lift people up, not judge them. “You’re not being paired with leaders to be scrutinized, you’re being set up to succeed.”
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Marketha and Ruben’s journeys show that belonging isn’t just a value here at WTW, it's a lived experience shaped by community, advocacy, opportunity and authenticity.
Their voices reflect what so many Black colleagues continue to build here: a culture where you can grow, be celebrated and bring your whole self to work.
If you're looking for a place where your story matters and where your future can thrive, apply today and start a career that moves connections to collaboration at WTW.
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