Sue Preusser Wilkinson, ’90, a first-generation college graduate and president and chief operating officer of Ameritas, returned to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in April as the 2025 College of Business Alumni Master. With three decades of leadership at Ameritas, she answered students’ questions about her career path, proudest achievements and what it means to lead through change. 

“Never stop learning, always be curious and be willing to say yes when offered a new opportunity,” Wilkinson told students, capturing the mindset that guided her from Petersburg, Nebraska, to the C-suite.

She credited her strong work ethic and small-town values to her parents. Her father transitioned from farming to running a local business, and her mother worked at a meat locker before becoming the county treasurer. Though neither parent attended college, higher education was always the expectation for Wilkinson and her siblings. 

“With no guidance counselor, I had limited exposure to careers outside of nursing and teaching. Accounting came very easy to me in high school, so I decided to pursue it at the university,” she said. 

As a freshman, Wilkinson juggled a 30-hour workweek as a student assistant. By her second semester, she landed a job at Valentino’s corporate office, quickly advancing from answering phones to managing accounts receivable and eventually overseeing the general ledger for franchise locations. That hands-on experience caught the attention of Deloitte auditors, who later helped open the door to her first job after graduation.

“I interviewed with all of the Big Six accounting firms,” she said. “My grade point average wasn’t a 4.0, but because Deloitte knew me, they interviewed me and offered me a position.”

Today Wilkinson oversees key areas including finance, investments, marketing, technology, AI/automation and risk and compliance at Ameritas. She also leads the enterprise services strategy, which includes legal and human resources.

She defined her career through pivotal contributions like developing the risk management framework before risk officer roles formally existed and leading the rebranding of the company with the “fulfilling life” tagline still used today. She also helped initiate the company's technology transformation.

“Launching our technology transformation initiative was another important achievement. We asked the board to invest in us and transform the organization into a more technology-enabled, modern workplace, and they approved it,” she said.

Wilkinson said her CliftonStrengths^® results helped shape her leadership style. She first took the assessment in 2006 as part of the inaugural Lincoln Chamber's Young Professional Board, before becoming chief financial officer, and again before taking her current role.

“The two strengths in my top five the entire time were Achiever and Arranger. Both are central part of who I am as a leader,” Wilkinson said. Both strengths demonstrate her natural talent and inclination to successfully organize and execute on her ideas.

Wilkinson noted when JoAnn Martin, former CEO of Ameritas, died in 2021, she felt “adrift” without her mentor’s guidance. She also acknowledged the challenge of not being named CEO but said it led to new clarity in her role and purpose.

“Although hard to accept at the time, it allowed a certain amount of liberation to know that my climb is over. I continue to utilize the Achiever mindset to drive collective success at Ameritas, and it's become quite enjoyable to move into this mode of sharing the institutional knowledge,” Wilkinson said.

She now holds meetings to pass on information across levels of the organization. Along with CEO Bob Jurgensmeier, '95, she implemented open office hours on Tuesdays, an idea inspired by College of Business deans who host them for students.

“We want work to be less hierarchical and hope employees will come talk with us,” Wilkinson said. “Vulnerability has a place in leadership. If you’re willing to have discussions, it builds trust.”

As the CoB Alumni Master, Wilkinson attended a welcome and Medallion Dinner at the Nebraska Alumni Association and met with university, college and student leaders. She also spoke to students in many classes, including Ethics and Accountant’s Professional Responsibility (ACCT 407/807) taught by Kathryn Maresh, associate professor of practice in accountancy.

"The juniors, seniors and Master of Professional Accountancy students asked Sue thoughtful questions about career preparation, soft skills and hiring," Maresh said. "It was a very interesting discussion which the students found invaluable.”

To those unsure of their future, Wilkinson offered sound advice. 

“Don’t be afraid to try different opportunities. You have the potential to achieve incredible things,” she said.