29 Dec Power Suit: Dr. Christal Morris

Tough Love

Milliman’s SVP Dr. Christal Morris advocates for tough self-talk to power a career

By Janet Heit

Dr. Christal Morris, Milliman’s SVP and global head of diversity, equity, and inclusion, has sought out leadership positions since her earliest days. She attributes this inclination to her beloved late mother, who’d paved her own path from teacher to supervisor, principal, and administrator. Christal Morris started her trajectory as a coordinator, worked her way up to the C-suite, and now reports directly to the CEO. Along the way she relocated to seven states, earned a doctorate in organizational leadership, and achieved nationwide acclaim as an innovator and thought leader in the human resources, talent management, and DEI fields.

Executive Woman: What advice would you give to a mid-career leader aspiring to senior management?

Christal Morris: Know what skill sets you have to offer. And understand your boundaries, because aspiring to a more senior-level position typically means more of your time. If you are someone who values time off whenever—
as opposed to having to negotiate that because there’s a big meeting someone wants you to attend—you have to understand the sacrifices you may need to make where work-life integration is concerned. I don’t believe there is a work-life balance. That’s why I call it a work-life integration.

It’s also important to think about your brand. What are you known for now? What do you want to be known for? Can someone make a strong, impactful comment about the way you led a project? It’s not always about your technical capability; it’s also about how you treat people, and how you show up.

You bring a new voice. Figure out what you’ll influence when you start moving toward more of a leadership role. What can you change? Because oftentimes, when you have a fresh perspective going into a new role, you might be able to influence how something is viewed, how it’s valued.

EW: Can you share an obstacle you’ve faced, and how you overcame it?

CM: Feeling stuck. Trying to figure out what it takes to get to the next level and having a leader say, “You’re doing all the right things.” Well then, how long is it going to take if I’m doing all the right things? Do I have the right relationships, the right stakeholder management? Am I navigating incorrectly? Do I make a lateral move? For example, I’ve had to leave a company to take on a larger role. Overcoming negative self-talk about loyalty and recognizing my value were incredibly important.

EW: What accomplish-ment are you proudest of at Milliman?

CM: I’ve positioned Milliman as a recognized leader in corporate responsibility by aligning DEI with sustainability and social impact. Under my leadership,
Milliman earned its first military- and veteran- friendly designations three years in a row and its first Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion in 2025 [awarded by the Disability Index]. And our community and equity work has enabled us to build partnerships with businesses that are owned by women and underrepresented minorities, cementing DEI as part of our competitive advantage. 

EW: If you could advise your early-career self, what might you say to her?

CM: Take chances on yourself. You can do things that will be beyond your wildest imagination. Every experience is a building block to the person you will become. And if it doesn’t work out, it’s a learning lesson for the next experience. There are times we think we won’t be able to achieve a certain level, or a certain income, but we can surprise ourselves. EW