WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE AREA AND/OR AREA OF EXPERTISE?
I am a property and casualty actuary specializing in the alternative insurance market and unusual risks. I work with a wide range of corporate clients, nonprofits, insurers, and regulators. I view my role as that of a strategic partner—providing the information needed to help people make decisions.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE ACEDEMY BOARD AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO VOLUNTEERS WHO MIGHT LIKE TO BE PROSPECTIVE FUTURE BOARD MEMBERS?
My experience on the Academy Board of Directors (as casualty vice president) has been both educational and rewarding. I have learned so much about what each of the other practice areas is working on, as well as how the Academy governs itself. I have also had the opportunity to be part of important dialogues on diversity, equity, & inclusion and about the value that the Academy brings to its members and their employers.
WHAT LED YOU TO BECOME AN ACTUARY? AND WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE PROFESSION?
The actuarial profession represents a wonderful mix of using a skill I love—math—to solve interesting problems. I fell into the profession nearly by accident, having been introduced to an actuary by someone who had left the actuarial path early on to become an accountant instead. I was initially attracted, believe it or not, by the exam process. I saw it as a continual learning opportunity. Over time, what I have enjoyed the most are the projects I have worked on and the people I work with.
DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOUR PROFESSIONALISM TRAINING HAS HEALPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER.
The Code of Professional Conduct has been incredibly helpful in my career. Precept 7 (Conflict of Interest) provides a clear roadmap not only of how to handle conflicts of interest, but how to communicate and clear potential conflicts of interest. Precept 10 (Courtesy and Cooperation) provides pragmatic and sage guidance for how to engage with another actuary in a professional manner when discussing differences of opinion with respect to actuarial assumptions.
TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOUR ACTUARIAL EXPERTISE INFLUENCED AN IMPORTANT DECISION IN YOUR WORKPLACE.
We have worked to build a supportive office culture where actuarial analysts are exposed to different types of projects, and encouraged to grow in facets of their career in addition to the exams, including project management, client engagement, and professional development.
WHAT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER?
We are estimating numbers…but we are communicating them to people. Understanding how an estimate is being used, by whom, and why, is critical to performing actuarial services. These will dictate how to best communicate your findings and inform your view of what is material to the outcome
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH WERE GIVEN AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER?
It is not the advice you are given but the advice you are ready to take on board that matters. The advice I wish I had been ready to take on board is to be curious—be curious, ask questions, listen, and strive to learn as much as possible.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST ABOUT YOUR ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP OR ACADEMY VOLUNTEER WORK?
I am grateful for the opportunity to work together with an amazing group of volunteers and Academy staff on the impact of actuarial practice and insurance regulations on financial security systems.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE ANYTHING ELSE WITH ASPIRING OR NEW ACTUARIES, OR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THE ACADEMY?
Say yes! Life is a continual learning process. Learn something. Apply it. Teach it. Go back and learn some more.
BEYOND WORK—WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES OR OTHER PERSONAL INTERESTS?
I love being outside, and regularly hike in the woods, walk on the beach, and swim in the ocean. I also love creating and am currently enjoying experimenting with sculpture.
