2025 Board Member Candidate
Paula Hodges, FSA, MAAA
Credentials: FSA 2000, MAAA 1995
Country: USA
Practice Area: Life
Employer/Current Work: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.
SOA Board Experience: 2014-2017
Video
Questionnaire
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: Provide a brief description of your professional background and the type of work you have performed. Please include SOA and non-SOA volunteer and governing experiences including collaborative leadership. Explain how these experiences have prepared you as an Elected Board Member and qualify you in carrying out the strategic direction of the SOA.
With a B.S. in computer science and mathematics, I began my career as a programmer in IT before discovering the Actuarial profession. I pursued my actuarial credentials through self-study, ultimately earning my FSA. My foundation in technology has shaped my actuarial career, allowing me to bridge disciplines. After receiving my FSA, I continued to be drawn to technology-driven roles, leading teams in illustration software development, modeling modernization, and inforce management —which requires significant data analysis.
My current responsibilities in product management have various well-defined aspects: dividend rate setting, non- guaranteed element review, illustration actuary testing, and reinsurance administration. However, I often operate without a predefined roadmap. I define my role, as an officer of a Mutual insurance company, as the voice of our customers: those who bought policies several decades ago, those who are buying policies today, and those who are our future customers. When defining priorities, I always keep this fiduciary responsibility in sight. My decisions strive to balance future financial integrity with current customer expectations.
I volunteer with the SOA to give back to the profession, and to connect with like-minded colleagues. I treasure the friendships I’ve gained over the years.
Actuarial Volunteering:
- SOA Governance roles:
- SOA Board of Directors 2014-2017
- SOA Governance Task Force 2024-2025
- SOA Nominating Committee 2018-2021
- SOA Decision Governance Task Force Chair 2017-2018
- SOA Nominations Process Task Force 2011-2012
- SOA Section Councils:
- SOA Product Development Section 2011-2014 (Chair 2013-14)
- SOA Management & Personal Development Section 2007-2010 (Chair 2009-2010)
- SOA Technology Section 2004-2007 (Chair 2006-2007)
- Other SOA volunteer roles and recognition:
- SOA Presidential Award: 2024
- SOA Fellowship Admissions Course Faculty: 2011 – Present
- SOA External Examiner for UEC Program 2022-2025
- SOA Membership Value Task Force 2014
- Speaker for a variety of SOA webcasts and in-person meetings
- Nebraska Actuary Club President 2006-2007
Community Volunteer:
- Food Bank of Lincoln Board 2018-present (Chair 2022-2024)
- Chair United Way Helping Hands Auction 2019
- United Way Women United Council 2015 - 2019
- United Way Allocation Committees 2007 - 2017
- TeamMates Mentor 2002-2012