Case Study
How Mutual of Omaha Strengthens Their Company Culture for 2,400 Associates
After COVID forced a pivot from in-person recognition plans, Mutual of Omaha’s Workplace Solutions team turned to Sugarwish — and built a gifting program that drives up to 97% redemption across 2,400 associates.
4.9 out of 5 stars, 4,277 Google Reviews
Results at a Glance
Recognition at Scale — and It Shows in the Numbers
89–97%
Employee redemption rate — consistently above industry benchmarks, even across a 2,400-person organization.
2,400
Associates reached in a single send during Workplace Solutions Week — in-person, satellite, and fully remote, all at once.
100%
Of gifts funded in one fiscal year can be scheduled for delivery in the next — a perfect fit for teams on non-traditional calendar years.
About Mutual of Omaha
A Company That Takes “Taking Care of People” Seriously
Mutual of Omaha is a Fortune 500 financial services company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with a long-standing reputation for putting people first — both customers and employees. That culture of genuine care is central to who they are.
Samantha Shields leads culture initiatives for the Workplace Solutions segment, helping shape the associate experience for approximately 2,400 team members nationwide. When COVID eliminated the in-person perks and events that had always been central to their culture, Samantha’s team went searching for a better way to keep that warmth alive — and found Sugarwish.
The Program
Milestone-Driven. Culture-First.
Unlike programs tied to a traditional holiday calendar, Mutual of Omaha uses Sugarwish for the moments that matter most to their team. Their most significant annual send is Workplace Solutions Week — a company-wide hybrid summit held the first week of June that blends strategy, celebration, and camaraderie. Every associate, whether in-person, at a satellite office, or fully remote, receives a Sugarwish to kick off the week.
Beyond that flagship event, the team sends gifts for big goal closes, internal milestones like their playbook’s anniversary, and major accomplishments. Sugarwish also serves as a thoughtful touch for external guests — speakers and podcast contributors included.
One feature that’s become essential: cross-fiscal scheduling. Because Workplace Solutions operates on a non-traditional calendar year, they can add funds to their Sugarwish account in one fiscal year and schedule delivery in the next — solving the classic corporate “use it or lose it” budget problem without forcing premature sends.
Company-Wide Sends
All 2,400 associates receive a Sugarwish for Workplace Solutions Week — regardless of location or work arrangement.
Milestone Recognition
Gifts tied to big goal closes, internal anniversaries, and accomplishments — not the calendar.
Cross-Fiscal Scheduling
Fund gifts in one budget year, schedule delivery in the next — a perfect fit for non-traditional fiscal calendars.
Employee Voices
What Mutual of Omaha Associates Are Saying
Mutual of Omaha receives heartfelt thank-you messages through their Sugarwish Gratitude Board after every send. Samantha’s team downloads these notes and shares them with senior leadership as proof of impact. Here are a few highlights.
★★★★★“Thank you — I always appreciate the team’s thoughtfulness and generosity in recognizing our accomplishments! Cheers to a successful 2026!”
★★★★★“Thank you for having these special gifts that remind us how appreciated we are. It always is the best feeling and grateful to have these gifts. It always brightens my day.”
★★★★★“Thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift. Your leadership is truly appreciated and valued. It makes it very easy to come to work humble, hungry, and smart each day to drive solutions for communities during life’s moments. This gift makes us hungry in two ways, ha! Thank you so much!”
★★★★★“Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to give joy to someone in need of it. MoO is the best and I truly appreciate to donate my gift.”
★★★★★“Thank you very much for continuously showing us appreciation and providing a workplace with such a safe and rewarding culture.”
Executive Summary
“Celebrating our people isn’t just something we do — it’s who we are. Sugarwish has made it easy to sprinkle joy far and wide, helping us deliver meaningful, feel-good moments to associates everywhere. It’s the perfect way to bring our ‘sweet’ appreciation to life. Thank you, Sugarwish!”
Why It Works
What Makes Sugarwish the Right Fit for a 2,400-Person Team
Recipients Choose
Every associate picks exactly what they want — accommodating different diets and preferences across thousands of people, with no guesswork from the sender.
Element of Surprise
A Sugarwish lands differently than a swag item or gift card — the element of surprise is part of what makes it feel like genuine appreciation, not just a checkbox.
Cross-Fiscal Scheduling
Fund gifts in one fiscal year, schedule delivery in the next. For teams on non-traditional calendars, this solves the use-it-or-lose-it budget crunch without forcing rushed sends.
Zero Admin Burden
No mailing addresses, no shipping logistics, no manual tracking. Gifts go out on behalf of senior leadership in minutes, even for company-wide sends.
Measurable Belonging
Mutual of Omaha tracks belonging and engagement scores as part of their recognition strategy — and Sugarwish’s high redemption rates make it easy to report impact upward.
Built-in Giving
Associates can donate their gift to Make-A-Wish instead of redeeming it — adding a meaningful, charitable dimension to every send at no extra cost to the company.
Employee Recognition at Scale:
Common Questions
Can Sugarwish handle company-wide sends for thousands of employees?
Yes. Mutual of Omaha regularly sends Sugarwish gifts to all 2,400 of their Workplace Solutions associates in a single send — reaching in-person, satellite office, and fully remote employees alike. There are no minimums or maximums, and no shipping addresses required. Employees redeem their own gifts and choose their own delivery address.
Can I fund gifts in one fiscal year and schedule delivery in the next?
Yes — and this is one of the features Mutual of Omaha loves most. You can add funds to your Sugarwish account in the current fiscal year and schedule sends for any future date. This solves the corporate “use it or lose it” budget problem without forcing you to send gifts before you’re ready. It’s especially valuable for teams on non-traditional or mid-year calendar cycles.
What redemption rates can large companies expect from Sugarwish?
Mutual of Omaha consistently sees 89–97% redemption rates, even across a 2,400-person organization. Sugarwish’s corporate clients broadly average 90%+ redemption because employees get to choose what they actually want, rather than receiving a pre-selected item that may not fit their tastes.
How do I track employee reactions and report impact to leadership?
Every Sugarwish corporate account includes a Gratitude Board where recipients can leave thank-you notes after redeeming their gifts. Mutual of Omaha downloads these notes and shares them with senior leadership as proof of program impact. It’s a simple way to demonstrate the value of your recognition investment without any manual follow-up.
How does Sugarwish work for hybrid and remote teams?
Sugarwish is built for remote-first recognition. Employees redeem their own gifts and enter their own shipping address — no need for HR to collect home addresses or manage logistics. This makes it equally seamless for in-office, hybrid, or fully remote associates, which is exactly why it works so well for Mutual of Omaha’s distributed Workplace Solutions team.
Is Sugarwish a good fit for financial services and insurance companies?
Absolutely. Mutual of Omaha is a Fortune 500 financial services company that has been using Sugarwish as a cornerstone of their employee experience strategy. Sugarwish is SOC 2 certified for enterprise-grade security and is trusted by over 50,000 companies, including 70% of the Fortune 500. The platform requires no IT integration and is simple enough for any HR or culture team to manage.
Ready to Build a Recognition Program Your Team Will Love?
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