My guest for Episode 103 is Ronald Richman, FIA, FASSA, FeASK, CPCU, insurtech founder and thought leader in the actuarial data science movement. The theme for the episode is 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Ron and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ Statistics, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI  ✅ Whether GLMs are statistical or machine learning models  ✅ Neural nets and their applicability to insurance  ✅ Reducing the risk of overparameterization for neural nets  ✅ Balancing accuracy,...

My guest for Episode 102 is Monica Shokrai, FCAS, MAAA, Head of Business Risk and Insurance for Google Cloud. The theme for the episode is 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟯. Monica and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ The risk management landscape for individuals and businesses ✅ Working in various risk management roles at Google ✅ Specific examples of risk management projects  ✅ The cloud and its relevance for business  ✅ Security tradeoffs between on-premises and cloud  ✅ How actuaries are...

My guest for Episode 101 is Marcela Granados Lavoie, FCAS, CSPA, Principal - Global Head of Insurance at Databricks. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲. Marcela and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ Marcela’s motivation for pivoting to tech/software ✅ Why a software company would need an actuary  ✅ The cloud and how it enables insurance modernization  ✅ How generative AI can help yield value for insurance companies  ✅ Using unstructured data for underwriting, claim,...

My guest for Episode 100 is David Wilkie, CBE, FFA, FIA, FSS, FIMA, Hon D Sc, Hon D Math, Chairman at InQA Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. David and I covered the following topics in 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 of this historic episode:⁣ ✅ Modeling uncertainty within insurance, finance, and risk mgmt ✅ Shortcomings of the Black-Scholes option pricing model ✅ The origins and evolution of the Wilkie Model for economic variables ✅ Realistic disaster scenarios for marine...

My guest for Episode 100 is David Wilkie, CBE, FFA, FIA, FSS, FIMA, Hon D Sc, Hon D Math, Chairman at InQA Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. David and I covered the following topics in 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 of this historic episode:⁣ ✅ David’s early childhood and formative years ✅ What motivated David to become an actuary ✅ Building a strong foundation for academic research ✅ Mortality forecasting for the Committee of Mortality Investigation ✅ Early development of...

My guest for Episode 99 is Julia Lessing, FIAA, Director at Guardian Actuarial. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. Julia and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The actuarial profession in Australia ✅ The market for new graduates and qualified actuaries in Australia ✅ Opportunities for actuaries in data science and non-traditional roles ✅ The impact of generational dynamics for future actuaries ✅ Transitioning from individual contributor to manager ✅ Tips for actuaries...

My guest for Episode 98 is Cathy Lyn, FIA, FSA, IFoA Council Member and Retired Actuary. The theme for the episode is 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀. Cathy and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Running for IFoA Council and what she seeks to contribute ✅ Nurturing a competitive quantitative workforce ✅ The importance of mathematical rigor in society ✅ Why quantitative professionals need to have a seat at the table ✅ How quantitative professionals make countries more competitive  ✅ How...

My guest for Episode 97 is Lewis Kemp, CEO at Lightbulb Media. The theme for the episode is 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Lewis and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Content marketing and its relevance in the modern era ✅ Content creation and its importance for professionals  ✅ The three stages of the conversion funnel ✅ How individuals can apply the conversion funnel to their own careers ✅ How individuals can find their target audience ✅ Developing success criteria around content creation ✅ Keys to...

My guest for Episode 96 is Don Grimm, FCAS, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Archer Actuarial Consulting. The theme for the episode is 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆. Don and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The connection between excess casualty and primary lines ✅ Target classes of business and coverage scope for excess casualty ✅ Capacity, rate dynamics, and trends in the excess casualty market ✅ Key differences between excess casualty and umbrella insurance ✅ Tradeoffs between excess casualty...

My guest for Episode 95 is Hasham Piperdy, FIA, General Manager, Saudi Arabia and Director, Actuarial at Badri Management Consultancy. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁. Hash and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The Middle East region and its relevance for actuaries ✅ Insurance penetration, regulation, and market in the Middle East ✅ United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and mature market dynamics ✅ Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and emerging market dynamics ✅ Takaful...

My guest for Episode 94 is Dorothy Andrews, ASA, MAAA, PhD, Senior Behavioral Data Scientist and Actuary at NAIC. The theme for the episode is 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆. Dorothy and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The link between media, data, and algorithms ✅ Pitfalls in using big data to gain cognitive insights ✅ The relevance of psychology for building models ✅ The link between correlation and causation ✅ Rational explanations for variable relationships ✅ Natural experiments and randomized...

My guest for Episode 93 is Annie Tay, FIAA, FIA, CERA, Senior Advisor at Meanwhile. The theme for the episode is 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Annie and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Manufacturing and reviewing global insurance products ✅ Developing financial strength methodologies for life insurance ✅ The underlying drivers of strategic restructuring  ✅ The pathway to Merger & Acquisition (M&A) transactions ✅ The role actuaries play in M&A transactions ✅ Lessons learned from a...

My guest for Episode 92 is Larry McClure, FCAS, Chief Reserving Actuary, Americas P&C at SCOR. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴. Larry and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The business imperative for actuarial reserving ✅ Schedule P, Statement of Actuarial Opinion, and actuarial reports ✅ Key decision points impacted by reserving actuaries  ✅ Reserving actuary interactions with finance, claim, and pricing actuaries  ✅ Fundamentals of a reserving analysis  ✅ The impact...

My guest for Episode 91 is Esperanza Borja Mead, FCAS, FSA, MAAA, Principal at Actuarial Factor. The theme for the episode is 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Esperanza and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The inspiration behind starting her own business ✅ Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship  ✅ Bridging the entrepreneurial knowledge gap  ✅ Marketing, sales, and pricing for new business owners ✅ Boutique consulting firms and the clients they serve  ✅ Providing actuarial services...

My guest for Episode 90 is Donna Glenn, FCAS, MAAA, Chief Actuary at NCCI. The theme for the episode is 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Donna and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Working in underwriting and product management as an actuary ✅ Origins of workers compensation in the United States ✅ Private markets, state funds, and residual markets ✅ Indemnity and medical claims transactions ✅ The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) ✅ NCCI loss cost and rate analysis  ✅ LCMs, e-mods,...

My guest for Episode 89 is Ron Kozlowski, FCAS, Lead Consultant at RTK Actuarial and Professional Services. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Ron and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Deciding whether to be a generalist or a specialist ✅ Solving business problems and selling business as a consultant  ✅ Specializing in construction defect reserving  ✅ The importance of taking risk as an actuary  ✅ Working with meteorologists, seismologists, and engineers to develop...

My guest for Episode 88 is Lloyd Richards, FIA, CERA, CStat, Director and Head of Actuarial at Crowe UK and Teaching Fellow at the Queen Mary University of London School of Mathematical Sciences. The theme for the episode is 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀. Lloyd and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Sustainability and its relevance for risk management ✅ The current sustainability landscape  ✅ Bank of England’s CBES directive  ✅ Physical, transition, and legal risks ✅ Climate scenario analysis...

My guest for Episode 87 is Wesley Montgomery, FIA, FASSA, CEA, CEEM, Senior Actuary at Pillar Capital Management Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗱𝗮. Wesley and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The insurance and risk management landscape in Bermuda  ✅ The Bermuda Monetary Authority ✅ How insurance is regulated in Bermuda  ✅ Accounting/reporting standards and tax advantages  ✅ Global minimum tax for multinational entities ✅ How actuaries add value in insurance and...

My guest for Episode 86 is Ann Chai, FCAS, Chief Risk Officer at Zurich North America. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀. Ann and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Solving business problems in non-traditional roles ✅ How non-traditional roles have helped to shape her career  ✅ Leveraging an actuarial background in a risk management role  ✅ ERM and other responsibilities as Chief Risk Officer ✅ Purchasing insurance for a large corporation  ✅ Her current views on the actuarial...

My guest for Episode 85 is Kellen Booher, Executive Vice President and Global Insurance Executive. The theme for the episode is 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. Kellen and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ How to think about your career at the macro level ✅ M-shaped vs. T-shaped careers ✅ Four types of career experiences that are valuable to have ✅ Differences between mentorship and sponsorship ✅ Tips on finding a sponsor in a corporate environment ✅ Guidance for employees who aspire to be...

My guest for Episode 84 is Zorast Wadia, FSA, MAAA, EA, FCA, CFA, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman. The theme for the episode is 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. Zorast and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Defined benefit (DB) plans and defined contribution (DC) plans ✅ Plan sponsors, valuation actuaries, and retirement plan operations ✅ Cash valuation and financial accounting valuation ✅ Differences between corporate and public pension plans ✅ Milliman’s Corporate Pension...

My guest for Episode 83 is Andrew Ngai, FIAA, CERA, Director at Taylor Fry. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀. Andrew and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Participating in Esports as an actuary ✅ Applicability of the actuarial skillset in Esports  ✅ Developing a passion for Excel beyond everyday actuarial work  ✅ Excel World Championships: qualification, training, and competition  ✅ Lessons from his competition experience  ✅ LAMBDA, LET, and TOCOL functions ✅ The...

My guest for Episode 82 is Paul Sweeting, Ph.D, FIA, CERA, CFA, FCSI, FRSA, Senior Advisor at Hassana Investment Company. The theme for the episode is 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Paul and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Enterprise risk management and its strategic role in organizations ✅ How actuaries add value in ERM ✅ Capital modeling, quantitative risk evaluation, and risk measures ✅ Using multivariate distributions for risk modeling ✅ What copulas are and why they are used for...

My guest for Episode 81 is Gabriel Ware, FCAS, Transaction Actuary | Consultant. The theme for the episode is 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀. Gabriel and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ What legacy risks are and why risks become legacy risks ✅ Legacy acquisitions in the insurance space ✅ Loss portfolio transfers and adverse development covers  ✅ Key considerations for buyers and sellers in legacy transactions  ✅ Arriving at an ambivalence point when differences of opinion exist  ✅ The role of a...