Her Story
About Nya
Nya Deng is an accomplished insurance professional whose career reflects resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to helping others achieve financial security. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, she currently serves as a Sales Consultant at Mutual of Omaha, where she specializes in guiding individuals and families through life insurance and protection planning. Since entering the insurance industry in 2018, Nya has built a reputation for approaching sensitive financial conversations with empathy, authenticity, and a client-first mindset. She believes that meaningful relationships are built through trust, compassion, and genuine concern for the well-being of those she serves.
Originally from South Sudan, Nya relocated to the United States in 1996 in pursuit of greater educational and professional opportunities. Her diverse career journey began in healthcare after earning an Associate of Science in Medical/Clinical Assisting from National American University, followed by several years as a medical assistant. She later transitioned into banking, where she gained valuable experience in student loan processing and mortgage lending, strengthening her expertise in financial services and client relations. Following the loss of her father, Nya discovered a renewed sense of purpose in the insurance industry, where she found the opportunity to help families prepare for life's uncertainties. Her professional background has since expanded to include leadership as a General Manager with American Income Life Insurance Company, consulting in the oil and gas sector, and ongoing studies in psychology at Creighton University. She also continues to invest in professional development through certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Foundations and coursework focused on project management and artificial intelligence.
Beyond her client work, Nya is passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement. She actively participates in employee resource groups, supports peer mentoring and internal training initiatives, and encourages others to embrace an "owner's mindset" by taking responsibility for their personal and professional growth. She advises aspiring professionals—particularly women and immigrants—to remain adaptable, seek mentorship, and never be afraid to reinvent themselves. Guided by integrity, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to learning, Nya continues to inspire those around her while making a meaningful impact on the individuals, families, and communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nya
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is to think like you own it. Have an owner mindset in ownership. Think like you own it. This is your business. You're not just somebody that's coming to work, clocking in, clocking out. I approached every conversation that this is my business and I have to put my personal touch and magical things happened. I started producing more and making more money.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You gotta be able to reinvent yourself. Don't stay stagnant. Be open to change and open to opportunities. If you don't know what to do, it's not bad to ask for help. Get a mentor. And listen to your inner voice. Be comfortable with who you are, because we live in a world that is trying to talk us out of who we are, you know, as a Black woman, and also an immigrant.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges that I face is how things are, the AI is it becomes part of what we is a companion and it's not going anywhere. I'm working on getting myself proficient in AI, knowing how to use it. I registered for a college course to do project management with AI emphasis. Opportunity is that insurance is a very lucrative business. I made my first $100K doing insurance. What I like about insurance is calling someone and having the courage to talk about them dying and connecting on a human level.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Value is me being satisfied with what I do, the value that I bring to the table, and then also bringing the next generation. I do peer mentorship with my company. Putting your effort into bringing the new generation and sitting down with them, especially young people who just get into insurance or even older people who decided to reinvent themselves. Working with people like that and doing a little bit of training brings me a lot of joy.
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