SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee
The Governance and Policy Committee is now accepting applications for the 2026 SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee (formerly the Nominating Committee). Fellows can complete the expression of interest form from June 27-July 25, to be considered. The Governance and Policy Committee will review all applications and will follow-up with the selected candidates to schedule a brief video interview for additional information. Experience hiring executive-level employees, living and working outside the United States and Canada, and nonprofit, association, or corporate board governance are desirable competencies.
The SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee is responsible for nominating candidates for election in accordance with SOA policies and may establish guidelines for conducting elections consistent with those policies.
The nomination process starts each December when the Board’s Governance and Policy Committee and the SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee identify the skills and experience the Board needs, based on initiatives in the SOA Strategic Plan and issues facing the SOA at the time. The SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee provides public notice to members of the upcoming election and the call for nominations.
Any SOA Fellow can submit their name for election to the SOA as Elected Board Member or President-Elect and Vice Chair. The SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee reviews all nominee applications, including background information. After nominees complete a questionnaire about Board service, the committee members interview candidates. The committee discusses possible candidates over the course of several weeks. Candidate evaluation is based on a variety of factors, including:
- The needs of the SOA;
- Their commitment to the profession and the SOA;
- Their ability to work well with others in a Board setting; and,
- Their intellectual engagement with the issues currently facing the profession and the SOA.
The SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee presents a final ballot to the Board in June for approval that the SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee completed their work and followed approved policies and procedures. Following that Board approval, the SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee notifies nominees. Nominees are now endorsed candidates on the final ballot for member consideration.
Time Commitment
Most of the SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee's time commitment falls within the first six months of the year, particularly during the months of April and May.
- January-June: Monthly (or more if needed) 60-90 minute virtual meetings.
- May: One full day in-person meeting.
- April/May: Seven to ten 30-minute Zoom interviews with potential candidates, as well as an additional seven to nine 30-minute recorded interviews to watch.
- September: One 60-minute post-election virtual meeting.
- October: One potential in-person meeting in the fall.
Additional preparation includes reading nominee questionnaires and other election material.
Meeting and Travel Requirements
One in-person (fly-in, fly-out) meeting during the month of May in Chicago near O’Hare airport to assemble the ballot. Likely one in-person meeting during the SOA ImpACT Meeting. All other meetings are virtual.
Responsibilities and Duties
The primary responsibility of the SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee is to create a ballot with the best candidates for the annual Board of Directors election. This is accomplished by following the election process and being familiar with the guiding documents (SOA Bylaws, election policies and guidelines, and the current SOA Strategic Plan).
SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee members must:
- Attend in-person and virtual meetings unless prevented by a significant conflicting time demand;
- Participate respectfully in meetings (including virtual Zoom meetings) to the best of their ability;
- Treat all information and discussions in a confidential manner;
- Be open-minded;
- Be respectful of different opinions;
- Be able to see the big picture; and
- Exhibit no bias to or advocacy for any candidate(s) or issue(s).
For more in-depth information regarding the SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee, please visit: http://www.soa.org/elections/ to review the elections policies and processes under the “Election Process” area.
2025 SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee
SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee Chair
Mike Boot, FSA, MAAA, is retired, previously having worked at Allstate and the SOA, in Schaumburg, IL.
SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee Vice-Chair
Kory Olsen, FSA, MAAA, CERA, is Vice President at Pacific Life Insurance Company in Newport Beach, CA.
SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee Members
Rowen Bell, FSA, MAAA, is Managing Director at EY in Minneapolis, MN.
Nicole Briones, FSA, MAAA is Director of Actuarial & Analytic Program Management at Consortium Health Plans in Columbia, MD.
Chris Groendyke, FSA, is a Professor at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA.
Jennifer Haid, FSA, CFA, is a Principal in the U.S. insurance practice at EY in New York City, NY.
Sarah Maune, FSA, EA, is Vice President, Treaties, GFS at RGA in Chesterfield, MO.
Stella Ann Ménard, FSA, FCIA, is Senior Consultant at PBI Conseillers en Actuariat in Montreal, Quebec.
Pete Rossi, FSA, MAAA, CERA, FCA, is Senior Actuary, US Government Accountability Office.