Description: This is the first installment of a two-part series that aims to provide valuable insights on how a new (re)insurance company can become an attractive destination for actuaries (Part I) and then how to retain them (Part II), thereby facilitating the company’s long-term growth.

Description: A brief overview of last year's Education & Research Section Council work, accomplishments and challenges from its outgoing chair.

Description: Significant progress has been made in transforming the actuarial profession but it remains untransformed. Universities have been instrumental in training future actuaries and this article is about how the University of Cape Town has been addressing transformation in the actuarial program. The school system in South Africa has struggled to produce the required quality and quantity of school leavers prepared for higher education. This has led to universities having to develop ways to manage this problem. The article discusses the effectiveness of some of the initiatives introduced at UCT.

Description: Hear from three actuaries on their experiences working remotely in 2020 and beyond. Each participant will have a distinct viewpoint on remote work based on their situation, including: Liz Dietrich, who led her Prudential team through the initial shift to remote work during the pandemic and will address the team’s next steps. Amanda Hug, who joined Willis Towers Watson during the pandemic by interviewing remotely and then learned to integrate into the corporate culture the same way. Vincent Xuan, who will provide insight around how his team at Equitable adapted to remote work. During this webcast, the panel will share: Their perspectives based on their unique situations Best practices and leadership tips for managing teams and workloads remotely Thoughts on how we did as an industry with the shift to remote work Leadership skills that are critical for moving forward in a hybrid (remote and in-person) world

Description: It was an honor, for Dr. Tianyang Wang, Co-Eeditor of Expanding Horizons, to have this Fireside Chat had a great conversation with Dr. Guillen Guillen Estany in January 2023, and invited her for this featured Fireside Chat interview which resulted in a great conversation.

Description: In this article, I give a few notes as the outgoing chair of the Education and Research Section Council.

Description: The average person spends from one third to one half of every waking hour thinking about the past or present. We talk to ourselves when we do. Psychologists have identified three steps you can take to make your self-talk more positive. This will make you happier and better able to achieve the goals you set at home and at work.

Description: It’s tough climbing the corporate ladder as an Asian woman in the United States. In my journey, I wish I had a mentor to share their experience, clarify what I was facing, reassure me that I was not alone and guide me. That’s why I’m sharing my experience managing three cultural norms that I found most challenging professionally: 1. Obey your elders. 2. Pass exams and focus on technical skills. 3. Do not rock the boat or want too much.

Description: News for the SOA International Section members

Description: The webcast addresses the four stages of effective leadership, and the three main drivers of effective leadership. It provides several metrics for assessment. Use of these ideas allows any leader in a leader-subordinate situation to raise the level of the subordinate to mastery level. The material in the discussion is based on an article in Stepping Stones (Sep 2023), "Are you an Empowering Leader", by Russell Jay Hendel.