We Are Actuaries – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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Actuary of the Year, 2025, Iris Lun shares her reflections on her unconventional actuarial career path.

Iris Lun is the 2025 Actuary of the Year and co-founder of 10Life, a Hong Kong insurtech platform bringing fair insurance to over 2.3 million active users annually. With 25 years of international actuarial experience, Iris has held leadership roles across multinational insurance institutions and global consultancies before taking the unconventional path of insurtech entrepreneurship.

A passionate advocate for diversity, innovation, and responsible AI for actuaries, Iris is an active volunteer in the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong, the Actuaries Institute and the International Actuarial Association. She was a 2023 finalist for the Advance Global Australian Award in Technology & Entrepreneurship. Iris holds degrees in Actuarial Studies and Japanese from the University of Melbourne.

In this interview, Iris shares: 

-          Her experience leaving home to work and travel globally as a young actuary,

-          The pros and cons of switching roles and going for non-traditional actuarial roles, and

-          The ups and downs of running a start-up as an (older) actuary.

- Connect with Iris on LinkedIn. 

- Connect with Julia on LinkedIn. 

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Experienced actuary, senior leader and newly elected Actuaries Institute Councillor Louis Lee shares how he stepped outside his comfort zone to build an interesting and diverse actuarial career across the globe. 

In this interview, Louis shares: 

-          How actuaries should not fear failing at any new tasks,

-          How actuaries can pivot to any industry, and to any roles, and

-          How AI will accelerate actuaries in adapting to new careers.

Louis is the Managing Director APAC of CoverGo, where he leads CoverGo’s business development functions in the Asia Pacific region. He is also leading the Generative AI solutions for CoverGo’s clients. Louis has more than 20 years experience in the insurance industry across a number of countries in the whole region including Hong Kong, Singapore, South East Asia, Australia, and Japan, during which time he has held a number of senior roles of multinational insurance companies including Scor, FWD, Allianz, and Suncorp. He has been a Partner at Deloitte. 

Louis specialises in digital transformation, and has implemented solutions for insurers on digital distribution, customer journey design, core system modernizations, Generative AI development, and product propositions. He has worked across all insurance sectors including Life, Health, and General insurance, and has also owned the P&L for a number of portfolios. In particular, he has extensive experience on individual and group medical portfolios, helping insurers in Asia Pacific in transforming their underwriting & claims operations, systems, and profitability. 

Louis has been an active speaker and contributor in the insurance community over the years. He has spoken at events on topics such as “Unlocking the Value of Generative AI”; “Next-Gen: AI-Enabled Distribution”; “Launching Digital Product with a Customer Lens”; “Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-Border Health Insurance”; “Data and AI for Insurance Applications” amongst a number of speaking engagements. 

-          Connect with Louis on LinkedIn.   

-          Connect with Julia on LinkedIn. 

Views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not represent the views of their places of work. 

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Actuary Adam Barrow shares how volunteering has helped his actuarial career.

In this interview, Adam shares: 

-          The best point in your career to get involved in volunteering,

-          How volunteering has helped him build his professional network, and

-          What actuaries should consider when getting involved in volunteering.

Adam is the Product Actuary at UniSuper and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (FIAA). He specialises in Defined Benefits, Insurance, and Retirement matters relating to Superannuation, and has a passion for member outcomes and improving the retirement experience for all. 

Adam is an active volunteer for the Actuaries Institute and was awarded the 2025 Young Volunteer Achievement Award. He is currently a member of the Superannuation and Investment Practice Committee (SIPC), the Chair of the Member Services Sub Committee (MSSC), is an SME for Superannuation on the Life Insurance and Retirement Education Faculty (LIREF), and is a part of the Actuaries Institute Ambassador Program. 

In his spare time, he tries to remain active and find a new quality cup of coffee.

-          Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

-         Visit the Actuaries Institute volunteering page. 

-          Connect with Julia on LinkedIn. 

Views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not represent the views of their places of work. 

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Actuary and data scientist Lizzie Eason shares her tips on how actuaries can be ethical data scientists.

In this interview, Lizzie shares: 

-          Why ethics is important for actuaries in data science, 

-          Some of the regulatory considerations affecting data scientists, and 

-          How she navigates ethics as a data scientist.

Lizzie Eason, ACAS is a contagiously curious, enthusiastic, relationship-driven storyteller. With the cadence of a comedian and the toolbox of a data scientist, she serves as both a skilled builder and engaging translator of data-driven models. In her current role on a budding data science team, her work as a data detective reveals insights so intriguing that business partners can’t help but wonder about what more data could reveal!

Lizzie graduated top of her class from Grinnell College in 2017 with a degree in Mathematics & Statistics. She obtained her ACAS in 2023 and has worked primarily in predictive modeling for pricing segmentation and a myriad of other business applications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, partner acrobatics, and hiking with her cats.

 Connect with Lizzie on LinkedIn.   

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn.  

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Experienced actuary and senior leader Barry Leung shares tips on how actuaries transfer their skills into different areas.

In this interview, Barry shares: 

-  How he uses his actuarial skills to improve outcomes across different settings,

-  What he learned from taking secondments in marketing and recruitment, and

-  How he overcomes doubt or fear when considering a role in a new area.

Barry is currently the Executive General Manager – Performance at MIPS, a medical indemnity organisation with members across Australia. He has experience working in the healthcare and insurance sectors, holding a number of senior roles across major health insurers including Medibank and Defence Health. Barry is passionate about better health for all. 

Prior to joining MIPS, he was an Impact Insurance Fellow with the International Labour Organisation, advising the National Health Insurance Authority in Ghana West Africa on the country’s universal health cover scheme. In between his day job and transporting his children to different extra- curricular activities, he is also involved in a local charity and is a Director of Mater Christi College in Belgrave Victoria.

 -          Connect with Barry on LinkedIn.  

-          Connect with Julia on LinkedIn.

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Analytics leader Kevin Cattaway shares tips on how actuaries can navigate redundancy.

In this interview, Kevin shares:
- His own experience of redundancy,
- How he leveraged his network to find a new role, and
- His advice for anyone facing redundancy.

Kevin Cattaway is a data, analytics and insights professional with 26 years of experience across private and public sectors, primarily working in general insurance. With experience across diverse business functions including actuarial, customer & marketing, technology, finance, claims, portfolio and risk. And 19 years in leadership roles, having built and led analytics and actuarial teams delivering strategic insights to inform business decisions.

- Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn. 
- Connect with Julia on LinkedIn. 

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Special interview by Guardian Actuarial Leadership Program graduates Jennifer Ng and Peter Whittigan. 

In this interview, guest hosts Jennifer and Peter put strategic thinking under the microscope with Alissa Holz, CEO of RGA Australia and New Zealand. 

Peter and Jennifer asked: 

1. What made you want to move from being an actuary to taking on the CEO role? Was that always the plan, or did it just happen over time?

2. How do you define “strategic thinking” within the context of a life reinsurance business?

3. What frameworks or tools do you rely on when formulating strategy?

4. As CEO, you’re bound to make decisions not everyone agrees with—how do you handle those moments when you have to go against the grain or make an unpopular call?

5. How do you balance short term targets or objectives with long term strategic goals?

Alissa Holz is Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, RGA Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), for RGA Reinsurance Australia. Appointed to the role of CEO in April 2025, she has overall responsibility for the management of RGA’s operations in ANZ, including strategy, client engagement and financial results. With over 25 years of experience in the life insurance industry, Alissa brings a wealth of client experience and depth of market knowledge to her role with a proven track record of leadership within RGA. Alissa received her Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Mathematics from the Queensland University of Technology, is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (FIAA) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Jennifer Ng is a Principal Pricing Actuary at Gen Re with over 18 years of life insurance experience in the Australian and Asia. Jennifer has extensive experience in group and retail pricing and held roles at both local and regional levels in a global reinsurer, where she was responsible for leading pricing tenders, assessing profitability of existing portfolios and providing pricing oversight to local offices. Before joining Gen Re, Jennifer was a Director in Deloitte’s Consulting practice in Australia.
Jennifer is a Fellow of the Actuaries Institute and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

Peter Whittigan is a qualified actuary with over 15 years’ experience in the general insurance industry. His career spans a diverse range of roles across reserving, capital management, and pricing, in both consulting and corporate environments. Peter brings deep expertise in both short-tail and long-tail insurance, covering personal and commercial lines. Currently at IAG, he is focused on the development and deployment of advanced machine learning models safely into live pricing systems.

Find out more about the Guardian Actuarial Leadership Program: https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/ga-leadership-program

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Experienced actuary and leadership coach Lisa Staker shares how actuaries can build an effective professional network.

In this interview, Lisa shares: 
- Her early struggles to build her professional network as an introvert, 
- Strategies to authentically build a successful network without feeling awkward, and
- How networking has led to job offers and unexpected benefits in her career.

Lisa Staker is an actuary, leadership coach, and founder of The Rebellious Coach. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, she built her career from school-leaver to Chief Actuary before shifting her focus to helping actuaries and other technical professionals take the next step in their careers. Known for her rebellious empathy and no-nonsense approach, Lisa blends mentoring and coaching to support those navigating promotions, role changes, and career crossroads. She’s passionate about challenging outdated norms and helping others lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose—without losing who they are in the process.

- Find out more about how Lisa can help you: https://therebelliouscoach.co.uk/ 
- Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lisa-staker 
- Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Experienced pricing actuary, author and founder of Price Writer, Jeremy Keating reflects about how his experience of qualifying as an actuary wasn’t as easy as he expected.

In this interview, Jeremy shares: 

- Why he thinks we need to celebrate getting qualified differently,

- How his transition from being a student to a qualified actuary was more difficult than expected, and

- Practical strategies to thrive post-qualification.

Jeremy Keating is the founder of Price Writer, a learning and development company for insurance pricing professionals. He qualified as an actuary in 2013, a proud milestone, though the shift from student to qualified actuary proved more challenging than expected. Drawing on his experience in pricing, he wrote a book that’s helped many grow their careers and navigate this field. The Price Writer program supports over 190 members, including teams from some of the largest insurance companies. Their vision is to grow this to 1,000 members and make pricing professionals the most respected leaders in insurance

-          Contact Jeremy: https://pricewriters.com/

-          Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-keating/ 

-          Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing 

Read Jeremy's book Price Writer: The Nine-Step Method to Becoming a Highly Successful General Insurance Pricing Leader.

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.

Tell us what you thought of this episode!

Experienced pricing actuary and structured communication expert Claire Wang shares how actuaries can thrive in the AI era.

In this interview, Claire shares: 

- How actuaries can transition from technical roles to strategic leadership by shifting focus from outputs to outcomes, 

- Why AI presents an opportunity rather than a threat for actuaries who understand its limitations and can build stakeholder trust, and 

- Practical strategies for actuaries to thrive in the AI era.

Claire Wang is a problem-solving and structured communication expert with 20 years of experience in Pricing, spanning banking, FinTech, telecommunications, and insurance.

She specializes in pricing transformation in B2C markets and delivers structured communication workshops for corporate leaders. Claire believes that the biggest pricing challenge isn’t just setting the right price—it’s defining the right problem to solve.

Her mission is to help executives cut through complexity, ask better questions, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

When she’s not decoding complex pricing challenges, you’ll find her unplugging completely—either on a yoga mat or deep in the mountains.

- Find out how Claire can help you: https://www.claire-wang.com/
- Connect with Claire on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-wang/ 
- Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing 

Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries:

• For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"
• For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries"

We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot.

Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.