2023 Partner Volunteer Award Recipients
The SOA appreciates all volunteer contributions of time, talent and expertise. The SOA Partner Volunteer Award is presented to Non-SOA member volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to help the SOA accomplish its mission.
Xiujuan Chen
Chief Actuary, China Pacific Life Insurance Company
Xiujuan, with over two decades of experience, currently serves as the Chief Actuary of China Pacific Life Insurance Company. As a Fellow of the China Association of Actuaries (CAA) and a member of the SOA China Committee since 2020, Ms. Chen has made significant contributions that have left a lasting impact. Her leadership shines brightly, as evidenced by her role as the marketing sub-committee chair from 2021 to 2022, where she orchestrated the successful organization of seven joint webcasts between the SOA and CAA, collectively attracting 2,805 attendees. These accomplishments, achieved despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, underscore her exceptional ability to drive meaningful initiatives under adverse circumstances.
Xiujuan’s dedication extends beyond event coordination. Her involvement as an organizing committee member for various symposiums and seminars showcases her commitment to shaping impactful industry discussions. Her innovative ideas, combined with a respectful and collaborative approach, contribute to the development of compelling programs and engaging speakers. Even after her terms at the China Committee concluded in early 2023, Xiujuan's dedication remained unwavering. She continued her active participation, serving as a facilitator for the 2023 Professionalism Course and significantly contributing to the course's development by leading her team in creating cases centered on the current China market situation. Xiujuans's leadership, industry knowledge, and exceptional dedication make her an exemplary figure within the actuarial community, deserving of recognition for her outstanding contributions to the SOA's voluntary work and the broader profession.
Andrew Melnyk, PhD. CBE
Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, American Counsel of Life Insurers
Andrew has played a pivotal role within the SOA Research Institute's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Research Advisory Council (DEIRAC), demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication. His invaluable contributions extend to project oversight groups (POGs) for six DEI research projects over the past year, where his insights have significantly enhanced the selection and execution of impactful research endeavors. Andrew's proactive engagement is evident in his active participation in every call and his consistent involvement on three research POGs simultaneously, a remarkable feat that underscores his deep commitment to advancing the profession through research and promoting diversity and inclusion.
In his multifaceted role, Andrew's dedication has yielded tangible results by influencing the topics of research pursued and elevating the quality of research outcomes. His exceptional willingness to engage deeply on multiple projects simultaneously sets him apart and demonstrates his dedication to driving meaningful change within the actuarial community. Andrew's tireless contributions to DEI research underscore his commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse actuarial profession, making him an exemplary of proactive and impactful volunteerism within the SOA Research Institute.