Member Spotlight

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I like Math and numbers so much so that when I was young, I could remember all my classmates’ home telephone numbers (there was no mobile phone back in those days). When I was trying to decide on the university course to attend, my best friend who had a relative in actuarial field introduced me to actuarial science. I then spoke to seniors who shared more and told me about the course being very difficult and its high attrition rate and so on, and it only spurred me on to take up the challenge of pursuing an actuarial career. Thereafter I received a scholarship for the actuarial course and was bonded to the sponsoring company and there was no turning back.

What aspects of the field do you love?

I enjoy dealing with figures and applying the skills to identify and solve problems in various aspects of the insurance business. It makes me feel younger in the company of many young and smart people in the actuarial community nowadays.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Due to many competing interests, I was not focused on passing actuarial exams in the first few years after graduation. I was spending a lot of time socializing, playing golf and running a small business. When one of my classmates who was working as an actuarial consultant qualified as an FIA a few years after graduation, I sought his advice on how he did it when he was spending long hours at work. He told me the less time one has, the more previous the remaining time is. I took the advice and passed all fellowship exams on my first attempt thereafter.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Once you have decided on an actuarial career, focus on passing exams and acquiring work experience at the same time. You will need both the certification as well as experience. And build on soft skills and continue learning (not just for purpose of meeting CPD requirements) even after qualifying as a Fellow. If you need guidance, please feel free to ask for help.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

The CAS exam route was a lonely journey more than 20 years ago as I was the only person sitting for almost all the CAS Fellowship exams here (I might have been the third Singaporean to qualify as an FCAS). Nevertheless, there was a very strong sense of achievement when I qualified and it was capped by the birth of my daughter on Mother’s Day just days after completing my final exam.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I had a strong interest in photography. I took an expensive photography course offered by a New York institute and was given a journalist pass which offered access to restricted events in the US. When a friend was selling his photo processing lab business (in those days when digital cameras and smart phones did not exist), my brother and I borrowed money from a relative to takeover and run the small business. We were young, didn’t have much experience and lost quite a bit of money after 2 years. It was a painful but a great learning experience for both of us. I knew then I was not suited to be an entrepreneur.

How does being a part of the CAS global community enhance your actuarial practice?

Although I am no longer in actuarial practice, I am volunteering as the President of CAS ARECA committee and have the opportunity to engage local regulators, actuarial societies, members, universities and students which help me to stay abreast of developments in actuarial work areas and the region.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I work for MSIG Insurance in Singapore and is currently SVP, Technical Services. In my role, I oversee Underwriting Governance, Reinsurance, Claims and Data Intelligence & Actuarial and am fully responsible for company’s ESG strategy. I have covered other areas such as Branding & Corporate Communications, Legal, Policy Processing and Underwriting in the past.

What do you think is unique about working as an actuary in Singapore?

P&C actuarial work in Asia is normally driven by regulatory requirements and is continuing to expand in scope as actuaries move to various roles in companies here. Asia has been showing strong growth and Singapore being the regional centre for Southeast Asia, many international/regional firms have re-located here. An actuary working in Singapore has the opportunity to be exposed to and know more about the regional markets. Due to generally small size of actuarial teams in companies in Asia, actuaries are involved in various actuarial work and need a broad understanding of the business as we are often involved in non-actuarial issues. Hence one needs a broad perspective and should build management and soft skills at an early stage of career.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I started recently as a senior actuary with Allianz Partners in Munich, focusing on pricing and monitoring. Previously, I was a manager with EY in New York City.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I understood it to be a math-infused profession, which was my favorite subject in school...much like nearly every other actuary perhaps!

What aspects of the field do you love?

At first I enjoyed the gratification arising from solving a challenging math problem when modeling complex risk scenarios. Recently, I've been enjoying communicating actuarially-based decisions to other professionals, particularly non-actuaries. It feels like playing Taboo as I'm not allowed to use any actuarial lingo to help get my point across.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

No one is going to care about my career as much as I will. It is up to me to own my career and push it forward.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Finding a mentor who genuinely cares is priceless. But not everyone can be a mentor, I think it involves a specific type of personality, as well as unique chemistry between the mentor and mentee. The more people you network with, the easier it'll be to organically find and cultivate this relationship.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

Receiving the FCAS credential at the 2019 Hawaii annual meeting. This was possible only after I doubled up and passed my last two FCAS exams in the spring 2019 sitting, so it has a very special meaning for me.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I've backpacked through 36 countries in the last 5 years, primarily staying in hostels and going on a myriad of adventures with countless other backpackers I met along the way. Although I don't intend to travel as much anymore, traveling in my 20's has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

What do you think is unique about working as an actuary in Germany?

One of the primary reasons I came to Germany is for the unique international experience as European insurers typically have significant business in other countries, while US insurers seem more focused on the domestic market. This adds a whole new dimension to the work which I've been absolutely loving!

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1. Where do you work and what is your position?

I currently work remotely out of Dallas, Texas as a Pricing Actuary for GuideOne Insurance.

2. Why did you decide to become an actuary?

My introduction to the profession began as a senior in high school spending an afternoon with a Chief Actuary working for a life insurance company. At that particular time, I recall being very confused on the things he relayed to me about his role as an actuary. Although I was eager to sit down with him that afternoon, I barely knew what questions to ask or things to say to contribute to the conversation, so I just listened with the occasional nod and smile to signal I was still present in the dialogue.  

Despite those feelings, what I do remember from that interaction was the level of excitement he had for his work. It seemed to just ooze out of him in a way that was contagious.  

It was at that point I decided to lean into the actuarial profession.  

I wanted to have that same contagious feeling about my work and career.

I suppose it also helped that I enjoyed math in school and was fascinated by problem-solving, too.

3. What aspects of the field do you love?

I love the business facing aspect of the actuarial profession. It’s a nice feature of the actuarial role that I enjoy, and it has been an important part of nearly every role I’ve had over the last 12 years in the actuarial field.  

As actuaries, we are in a unique position to be at the forefront of insurance problems, and our skillsets afford us the opportunity to approach these problems through a different lens. It’s both a privilege and exciting to be part of, particularly as the world around us becomes more complex and involved.  

I also love the mentorship aspect that comes with working in the actuarial field. I have met a number of people through volunteerism and have been fortunate to work with some great people over my career. This has had a positive impact on my personal and professional development. I enjoy giving back to others through coaching and mentorship as well.  

4. What is the best career advice you have ever received?

I’ve received good career advice from a variety of people over the last 12 years. One of the more consistent themes has been:  

Allow your interests and/or passions to dictate your movement in your career.

I have found that the more we embrace this, the more we end up leading fulfilled careers. We are more engaged in our roles and more likely to add significant value through our work. The ripple effects are powerful and can have a lasting impact on the people and things around us.  

5. Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

My advice centers on two things:

First, try as many things as you reasonably can early on in your actuarial career.  

For example, if you are interested or curious about data programming, find people and other resources that allow you to explore that particular path or interest. The more you try different things in your career, the more well-rounded you will become and the more likely you will find what motivates or energizes you at work (what I like to call: “finding your jam”). Not only will this expose you to a variety of work in your career, but it will also help influence projects, roles, and other potential opportunities that come knocking at your door.  

Lastly, seek out someone who can mentor and/or coach you in your career.  

At times, this may happen naturally with people we go to for work advice outside of our boss/manager. In order for you to optimize this type of relationship, you have to be intentional. Ask questions, be curious, reflect on your strengths and what you want to do in your current or future role, etc. Having a small, diverse network of people that you trust and can lean on for guidance can have a significant impact on your professional life.  

It certainly has on mine up to this point in my career.  

6. What is your favorite CAS memory?

Hands down, my favorite memory is attending the CAS Spring Meeting in Boston where I was recognized as a new CAS member after getting my credentials. I had an amazing time sharing the experience with my mom and having the chance to connect with colleagues and other members of the CAS was invaluable to my professional development.   

A more recent, favorite memory that comes to mind is listening to CAS President, Roosevelt Mosley, give his presidential address at the CAS Annual Meeting last year. I wasn’t in attendance at the meeting in Minneapolis, so I watched the livestream from home and I’m glad I did. His address was inspiring, hopeful, and a testament to how far we’ve come as an industry and all of the work that is left to do as it relates to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the actuarial space.  

7. What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

One thing most people may not know about me is that I’m a fan of instrumental music.  

I played trumpet for a number of years and made State in high school. It’s a huge deal to make the All-State band in Texas, so I’ve always been proud of that accomplishment. To this day, music is a central part of my life. It’s not uncommon for me to pay a lot of attention to musical scores when I watch movies or television series. I would also listen to musical scores often while studying for actuarial exams. It gave me something to look forward to in my exam preparation process.  

I can easily nerd out on instrumental music. Let’s talk about your favorite music composer if we ever happen to meet one day. 

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Where do you work and what is your position?  

I am a Reserving Actuary at Safety National in their Philadelphia office. 

Why did you decide to become an actuary? 

When I was in my sophomore year of college, I was struggling to pick a major. I knew I wanted something math-based, but I also wanted to incorporate my interests in business and communication. My dad, a broker at Aon, invited me to join him at work for the day when I came home for break between semesters. There, he introduced me to several of the actuaries in his office. After speaking with them about the career and the exam process, I decided that actuarial science was the perfect blend of my interests. I ended up majoring in Risk Management (Actuarial Science Option) at Penn State University, with a minor in Statistics.

What aspects of the field do you love?

This field has allowed me to meet so many brilliant people. I’ve had incredible mentors, both formal and informal, and have been able to learn from people with so many different backgrounds. I’ve also met some of my closest friends through actuarial science, both in my major at Penn State and in the working world.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

When I worked at EY, my counselor once told me the following: “If you feel like you’re in over your head, you’re where you’re supposed to be.” In other words, there is no growth in complacency. In order to grow and develop, you have to be pushed out of your comfort zone, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. You’re more prepared for the experience than you may think!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

My biggest piece of advice for those just starting out, while cliché, would be to not fear failure. The exams are tough – they’re supposed to be! I was no stranger to failing exams. While a failed exam can feel like the end of the world in the moment, it makes that passed exam that much sweeter.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

My favorite CAS memory was the most recent Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. It was so exciting to walk across the stage in recognition of my FCAS, with my fiancé cheering in the audience and my parents following along on the live feed. It was also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends I’ve made throughout my time in the industry. 

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

This is no secret to those who know me well (so it maybe doesn’t answer the question!), but I have been an avid golfer for my entire life. I’ve been fortunate to play at a number of incredible courses, my favorite being the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. I hope to make it back there someday! 

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Where do you work and what is your position?

At-Bay, Senior Actuarial Manager, Pricing  

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

Ever since I was a child I’ve had a passion for creative problem solving and I love the definitive, right or wrong, nature of math. Actuaries get to use their analytical skills to investigate business problems in a way that arrives at a solution supported by data and fact.

What aspects of the field do you love?

I love the cross functional nature and complexity of the role. Actuaries are required to have both a detailed understanding of how the business operates as a whole, from how the product is sold to how claims are handled or regulations apply, and strong analytical skills to understand what’s actually happening in the business. This combination of skills puts Actuaries in a position to have a meaningful impact on the business, while always having something new to learn.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Ask a lot of questions. No one expects you to know everything, particularly early in your career. It’s better to ask early on and learn, than to hold back and not know something you should have later in your career.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Follow your curiosity both in life and at work. Like life, an analysis is a journey - Sometimes the things you stumble upon end up being more interesting than what you set out looking for. Also, always give yourself an extra week than you think you need to study. The extra couple days could save you a couple months if you have to take it again!

What is your favorite CAS memory?

Getting my ACAS in at the CAS Annual Meeting in Hawaii! I loved the social aspect of meeting so many different actuaries across different organizations and getting new ideas to incorporate in my work from the sessions.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I’m a proud landowner of a small plot of land in an area of Ireland that technically makes me a Lord.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I am Senior Vice President and Chief Pricing Actuary for Zurich North America in Schaumburg, Illinois. I’ve held this role for the last five years.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I “discovered” the actuarial career path in high school as I was exploring career options for people who like math. I was introduced through a package of marketing material that included information about the work of actuaries, the exams, colleges that offered actuarial programs, and also featured profiles of successful individuals in the profession. I was attracted to the practical application of math in a business environment. But equally important, the profiles included a spotlight on Marsha Bera Morris, the first Black woman to earn fellowship in the Society of Actuaries. She was the first name and face of the profession for me as a high school student trying to figure out what I wanted to study. Her picture changed everything. Because of her, I could see myself in the profession. It gave me confidence to know that I could do this thing that nobody around me (other than my math teacher) had ever heard of. I honestly don’t know if I would have chosen this profession if I had not seen her picture.

I’ve stayed in the profession because it’s proven to be everything the marketing material said it was. It’s challenging. It’s rewarding. It’s offered me a tremendous range of opportunity.

What aspects of the field do you love?

A few years ago, I thoughtfully addressed this same question with a group of high school students at a CAS-sponsored outreach event. My answers really could apply to any number of careers or any chosen pursuit in life. In fairly simple terms, they reflect what I have valued then and now. Here’s what I told them…

1. I can be creative
   (There is rarely only one way to solve a problem)
2. I am always learning new things
   (The world is always changing)
3. I help solve real business problems and make a difference for my company
   (My judgments and recommendations have impact)
4. I help others learn and develop
   (I get to make a difference for other people)

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

The first actuary I ever met was the Director of Education for the Society of Actuaries. It was the summer after my freshman year in college. He asked me if I could envision myself leading a large team of people some day. In all humility I said “no”. He told me to rethink that because that was where my career was headed. I’ve always remembered that message. It turned out that he was correct. At this early stage, he taught me something important about having vision.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Embrace change. It offers opportunity. Don’t stand still. Always look for ways to improve your skills and your work; e.g., make an old process more efficient; find enhancements to make a prior work product even better. And especially early in your career, don’t stay in any one role too long. Move around and get a variety of experiences. Don’t expect to stay in a role long enough to learn everything there is to know about that job. You would be there far too long.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

This is definitely the year I completed my Fellowship and attended the annual meeting in Boca Raton, FL. I was excited, humbled and proud all at the same time. It was also wonderful that my husband attended with me. He has been so supportive of my career. It was an amazing experience for both of us.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I love hot air balloons. After I finished all the exams, my “reward” was a trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. It occurs annually in October and was always off limits because it’s so close to Fall exams.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I am the Vice President & Chief Actuary at the Donegal Insurance Group in Pennsylvania. I began my actuarial career as an Actuarial Analyst at Donegal and am now the Chief Actuary, leading the reserving team. I can still say I love triangles!

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

Math was always my favorite subject in school. I didn’t know a lot about actuaries throughout college, but I figured I’d end up using my math skills somehow in the business world. And after teaching English in China for a year after I graduated college, I knew that I definitely didn’t want to be a teacher. I still didn’t know much about actuaries when I got my first job at Donegal but I enjoyed trying to solve problems with math!

What aspects of the field do you love?

I love putting all of the puzzle pieces together to understand my company’s experience. Reviewing all of the claim diagnostics to determine where the changes originated is like going on a treasure hunt! I also like the interaction and collaboration that is needed between all of the various departments: actuarial, underwriting, claims, marketing, etc. It is so important to understand how all of these pieces fit together to make informed decisions.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Have confidence in yourself! After taking all of those exams, I should be able to conquer the world, right? Just kidding. But seriously, even if I don’t know something, I can build on what I do know and shouldn’t be afraid to take on new challenges. I’ll never know what I’m capable of or how far I can go unless I try. Do you have any advice for those just starting out? Take advantage of every learning opportunity and never stop learning. No one likes the exams, but look for the things that you can learn from them, especially if you don’t pass all of them on the first try. Learn what jobs and roles other people fill in your company. It gives you a deeper understanding of the business and perspective on how to communicate and present your work and findings to them.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

It’s more of a group of memories, but my favorite CAS memory is from volunteering on the New Members Committee. I began volunteering on that committee shortly after I became a Fellow. We met in New York City one day to work on committee stuff and get to know each other. I met my first “CAS friends” in that group, both members and staff, and I truly look forward to attending CAS meetings to see them!

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I really enjoy singing harmony and riding roller coasters, although, not necessarily at the same time!

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I work in Beijing, China for a reinsurance company as the chief actuary.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I liked mathematics when I was studying at university more than twenty years ago. Fortunately, I got to know actuarial science which was a quite new field at that time. Since then, I decided to become an actuary.

What aspects of the field do you love?

Actuarial science is a kind of applied subject. I love to take advantage of modeling techniques to solve the insurance practical problem, especially when some problems cannot be well understood unless models are utilized.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

I have received a lot of career advice during my career development, but what touched me the most is the one given by one of senior managers. He suggested to me that an excellent actuary should not be only a technical expert, but effectively assist the insurers to achieve its strategic goals.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Know that passing actuarial exams is just a pass line to be an actuary and more should be learned deeply through practice.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

Although getting the FCAS certificate from the hand of the CAS president is a good memory, my favorite memory is the first time that I was invited for dinner and communication together with the leaders and senior managers of the CAS as an international member representative when I attended the CAS Spring Meetings. Through such a kind of communication, I felt that I was valued highly by the CAS and got to know more about what I could contribute to the CAS.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

When my son was a kid, I took him every weekend to learn music and I sat at the back of the music classroom. At the end of the semester, in order to encourage my son to take the music level test, we registered for the test together. As a result, I passed but my son did not. He passed the music level test at the second attempt.

How does being a part of the CAS global community enhance your actuarial practice?

Being a part of the CAS global community makes me more aware of the latest developments in the international market besides China. Meanwhile, it gives me the opportunity to make many friends working in other countries. It really broadens my horizons and helps me to find the right fellows when I meet with some international insurance matters.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I’m happily retired and living in central Florida. I’m an active volunteer at the CAS now as Chair – Investment Council and CAS Assistant Treasurer.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

In the 1970’s, I managed to get a degree in Mathematics and never hear the word ‘Actuary’ [AMAZING and so different in recent years]. After teaching for 5 years and deciding that this was not my calling, I spent time in the library (do you remember pre-internet?) looking at a variety of potential careers by reviewing government books on jobs and articles in various publications. The breakthrough came in the May 1977 Money magazine which included an article - ‘The best ten careers for the long run’. Third on the list was this career ‘actuary’. So I went back to the government books to find out what an actuary is? My reaction was, “How could I not know about this?” I had found my new career!

What aspects of the field do you love?

First is the chance to work on genuine business challenges, often at the leading edge in terms of the workable solutions,

Second is the chance to work with the most interesting, talented and intelligent individuals – business executives and professional actuaries alike. I’ve been retired for 20+ years now, and my work as a volunteer at the CAS allows continued opportunity to be with very talented people – actuaries & CAS staff.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

“Become a P&C Actuary … Try, it you’ll like it!” How true it is. What a wonderful career.

On the job – 1) Listen to the views of others working the issue/problem – optimizes solutions and allows discussion of alternatives and downsides, 2) Rely on your team, don’t take it all on yourself.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Don’t focus only on the exams. Learn from your peers and superiors.

Seek a variety of assignments – offering multiple perspectives, a chance to find your niche(s), and an array of learning. Knowing your preferences and skill sets will pay dividends for years to come.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

My favorite CAS moments have come in my retirement years. With more time and greater flexibility, volunteer leadership roles can provide wonderful opportunities to make value-added contributions. It also keeps one active in the industry and provides the chance to connect with next generation actuaries … a mutual learning experience. One memory in particular – the chance to talk with three legendary actuaries leading to the Centennial meeting – Ruth Salzman, Charlie Hewett, and Bill Wieder – the three most senior Fellows at the time. What a privilege and learning experience.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I’m a lifetime baseball fan. We’ve moved several times – so my local favorite team has shifted from St. Louis Cardinals to Boston Red Sox to Los Angeles Dodgers to Tampa Bay Rays. Baseball in person is the best – I’ve seen 1,000+ major league games (largest number in Dodger Stadium). My very favorite baseball memory is going to the Little League World Series in Williamsport PA – baseball and the love of sport at its purest.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

I’m a Consulting Actuary at Milliman

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

When I was in high school, my Probabilities & Statistics teacher told me I should become an actuary. I thought insurance sounded boring, so I decided to pursue another math-related career: math education. However, after I did an observation in a high school classroom, I decided that teaching wasn’t for me. I then changed my major from math education to math and decided to add psychology as a second major.

After I graduated from college, I realized that a B.S. in Math (or Psychology), on its own, wasn’t extremely marketable, so I returned to school to work on my Master’s in Applied Mathematics. About a year into the program, someone shared a job posting with me for an Actuarial Specialist role at Missouri Farm Bureau. I applied and got the job, even without any exams. Once I started taking exams, I realized that it was more than just insurance. I finished my Master’s, and in fact, I defended my thesis the same day I took Exam FM.

I was 26 when I took my first exam, so I was a bit non-traditional, and in hindsight, I wish I would have studied Actuarial Science (my college had that as an option for a major) since I was lacking the financial component of the program. But I’ve been in the field for almost 16 years, and I love the experiences I have had and the people I have met.

What aspects of the field do you love?

I have two answers to this. First, I love the balance of art and science. People joke about putting 2 actuaries in the room and getting 3 different answers, but I appreciate that. This will sound nerdy of me, but I enjoy diving into the diagnostics to determine whether a client has an acceleration or deceleration of claim payments or a strengthening or deterioration of case reserves. It allows me to flex my critical thinking skills.

The second thing I love most about being a casualty actuary is volunteering for the CAS. I have been a part of the Professionalism Education Working Group since I became an ACAS, and I have served in a leadership role in the working group for the past two years. It allows me to help candidates reach the next stage of their career by attending the Course on Professionalism. Plus, I have met so many people, current and future actuaries, whom I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Respond, don’t react. Previously, when I would receive feedback, either about my performance or my work product, my first instinct was to get defensive. At that point, I was closing myself off to opportunities because I was viewed as unreceptive. I had a boss tell me about five years ago to be more responsive and less reactive. When I gave myself time to simmer and to think about things from other people’s perspectives, I found that I was a lot less upset and that my response was a lot more thoughtful than if I reacted in the heat of the moment.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Focus on your communication skills. As things get more automated, our roles will shift to be less technical and more consultative. It’s good to practice explaining complicated concepts to non-technical audiences. When you are preparing to give a presentation, ask a non-actuary in your life if you can practice in front of them. They can point out where you might need to “dumb it down” to be more approachable for your audience.

What is your favorite CAS memory?

I received my ACAS at the Centennial Meeting in New York. Obviously, receiving my ACAS would have been a favorite memory anyway; however, it was even more special to celebrate the CAS’ 100th anniversary. I enjoyed hearing about the history of our society and how much it has evolved since 1914.

One of my favorite memories from that meeting was the Gala Dinner. They had an orchestra and band, consisting of CAS members, and after dinner, there was a dance floor. I remember dancing among some “CAS celebrities” (former Presidents and exam paper authors); it was such a fun way to network!

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I’m a fitness fanatic! I ran my 16th full marathon in March and am currently training for my 17th, with two more marathons later this year. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), and I teach Hot Yoga twice a week. In 2018, I completed a Century bike ride (100 miles) around Lake Tahoe. Staying active helps me to decompress, plus the discipline and mental fortitude needed to complete these fitness feats overlap with what is needed to be an actuary.

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Where do you work and what is your position?

GM-Cruise - I am the VP of Risk Management

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I have always enjoyed challenges associated with bringing clarity and making sense out of ambiguity, bringing order from chaos, and understanding related tradeoffs. I loved my college optimization math classes, I enjoyed finance and the study of economic decision making in uncertainty, and the behavioral economic, philosophical and moral dilemmas involved. As such, I gravitated quite naturally to the study of risk and the actuarial methods we use to aid in decision making across future time horizons involving inherent uncertainty. 

What aspects of the field do you love?

Helping leaders make informed risk-based decisions.  We all constantly navigate risk. Whether we're trying to decide whether to wear a mask, get a booster shot, travel to countries with different laws or choose our numbers for the Powerball, we are all constantly navigating and negotiating risk and uncertainty, individually and collectively, with counterparts with varying appetites for risk. In insurance, we apply actuarial science to aid in complex decisions across long time horizons.  Our methods thus lend themselves to an array of complex decisions involving optimizing for tradeoffs between current and future dollars, and other exchanges and tradeoffs between current uncertainty and future risks.  Developing a price for a risk is just one example of the application. Whether negotiating the terms of a reinsurance agreement, a loss portfolio transfer, the parameters of a Catastrophe bond or parametrizing a capital model to evaluate the probability of ruin for a company with limited funds and a changing risk profile - the techniques involved all lend themselves to many other applications involving risk, and can be used to enable more reliable decision-making when faced with significant uncertainty. 

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

"Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good" and "never forget that every model is wrong". 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Be hungry, curious and never stop learning. But more than that, know yourself.  Know what you love, know what you're good at, know what you're uniquely passionate about, and play to your strengths. 

What is your favorite CAS memory?

Meeting a number of actuaries from all walks of life and from across the globe tackling a wide range of problems and comparing notes at meetings and over happy hours. 

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I love sailing! 

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Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I first learned about the actuarial profession while working part time as an office assistant for an Insurance Agency. I helped potential customers quote their home and auto insurance. While doing that, I became really curious about the algorithm behind the quoting tool. Later I learned that Actuaries are the ones that helped set these prices. My curiosity led me to exploring statistics courses in college. And that is how my journey to become an actuary embarked.

What aspects of the field do you love?

Risk is everywhere, so insurance can be everywhere! Certainty is one of human essential needs. The need to feel safe, protected and have predictability of our lives. Insurance provides just that, the promise of certainty. As a pricing actuary, we put a price tag on that promise. That is a very cool and meaningful thing to do!

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

“You are in charge of your own career!” Go after what you are interested, find what motivates you, and be curious.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

A good actuary solves real world problems by applying actuarial techniques. I’d say building solid actuarial knowledge is fundamental. Rotate to different areas earlier on in the career to find out what you like or dislike. Network, make friends with other actuaries, professionally and personally. It will make work more fun!

What is your favorite CAS memory?

My favorite CAS memory is 2016 CAS Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. I received my FCAS recognition while having my daughter in my belly.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many people don’t know about?

I’m living with another FCAS under the same roof, my husband.