SOA Elections

David Ruiz (he/him), FSA 2000, MAAA, FIA 
Vice President, Head Finance Actuary
Pacific Life Insurance Company
Alisa Viejo CA

Election Message:    

I am honored to have been endorsed as a candidate for the Society of Actuaries Board of Directors.  After 10 years volunteering for the Actuarial Profession, I want the opportunity to step up my game and help the SOA in a larger capacity. I believe I have the vision and drive to help lead the Society as we face the significant challenges facing us over the next three years.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The actuarial profession suffers from a lack of diversity. For example, as a percentage of the whole SOA, actuaries with Hispanic or Latinx origin make up less than 5% of qualified actuaries.  Our lack of diversity creates blind spots in how we serve the general public, and creates barriers to entry for young people interested in the profession.  In order to remain relevant, we need to be deliberate about how we reach out to and support underrepresented populations.

Actuarial Transformation

The profession is changing. Data science, automation and digital disruption are challenging us to redefine the actuarial skillset.  Deep analytical work, traditionally performed by actuaries, is now being handled by data scientists. Rather than performing these tasks, actuaries are increasingly being called upon to leverage our deep technical acumen as we help manage and explain the work of the data scientists.  In order to succeed in the long-term, we must transform ourselves into the business leaders of the future, providing insights and driving the success of our companies.

Globalization of the profession

One of the most pressing international issues facing the SOA today is outsourcing and co-sourcing of actuarial work. As actuarial work is moved offshore, it is often moved to actuaries who are not affiliated with the Society of Actuaries.  In order to stay relevant in an increasingly global economy, we need to strengthen our presence overseas.

As we look to implement our new strategic plan, change the way we work as actuaries, and embrace technological disruption, we need visionary leaders to keep the Society moving forward.   As a Board member, I will work diligently to ensure the SOA continues to maintain and enhance its role as the premier global actuarial organization.  I sincerely appreciate your support.

Brief description of current work:

I have accountability for the PL Life Insurance Division’s Actuarial Modeling, Valuation, ALM, Reinsurance, Financial Planning and Projections, and Actuarial Transformation. 

Primary Area(s) of Practice:

Life and Annuities

Bio:

I have 29 years of experience in the actuarial profession, all the while working as a Financial Actuary.  Over that time, working both in the US and the UK, I have accepted increasing levels of management and leadership responsibility. In my current role as VP & Head Finance Actuary for the Life Insurance Division of Pacific Life, my core responsibilities include Valuation, ALM, Reinsurance and Financial Planning and Projections for the Company’s variable and fixed life insurance offerings. 

Over the course of my career I have had the opportunity to provide my leadership on several strategic projects impacting the actuarial community at Pacific Life. I am currently accountable for a multi-year Actuarial Transformation project that will change the way we work across all actuarial functions. 

I have been an active volunteer in the actuarial profession.  I recently was asked to take a role on the SOA/CAS Joint Council on Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (JCEID). In this role, I am working to help increase the diversity of our profession, with a focus on underrepresented communities. 

In addition to my role on the JCEID, I am currently privileged to serve the SOA as Chair of the Leadership and Development Section Council. In this role, as well as in my previous roles in L&D and the Financial Reporting Section, I have been honored to help several of the SOA strategic initiatives.

Additional Info:

I live in Orange County, CA, after a career that has taken me from California to North Carolina to England and back.  I am fortunate to have been joined in my peripatetic life by a wife of nearly 30 years and two fantastic sons. 

When I am not at the office, you’ll often find me out and about with my scouts.  I am a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and have been the troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 2898 for the last 10 years.  I also serve as Scoutmaster for Scouts BSA Troop 4321. 

My proudest accomplishment is that I earned my Eagle Scout rank in 1988, after 10 years as a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America.  As an adult, I am equally proud to have mentored 10 young women as they earned their Girl Scout Silver Awards, and six young women and men as they have earned their Eagle Scout rank.