SOA Podcasts - Society of Actuaries

Do you need professionalism credits? Look no further and listen to host Jackie Lee discuss experiences with the ABCD for counseling from guests Cathy Quock and Lydia Tolman.

Join host Silver Zhou, FSA, Chair of YPAC, for a dynamic conversation with Matthew Duke, ACAS, a seasoned actuary, insurance industry leader, and longtime volunteer in various actuarial organizations. Duke shares the deliberate and strategic steps that shaped his career in both traditional actuarial roles and non-traditional industries. Along the way, he reveals invaluable insights on the impact of mentors and coaches at different career stages and why understanding people is key to success as a business leader.

Listen in to get those professionalism CE credits with host Jackie Lee and guest Cathy Quock. They talk about the differences between actuarial communications in a consulting role or internal company setting. They reference the Code of Professional Conduct and ASOPs.

Roger Loomis talks with Eddie Armentrout of Actuarial Research Corporation about the SOA Research Institute's LTC Population Research Model, which can be used to examine the impact of public LTC plans on beneficiary finances and service utilization.

Join Dennis Li, Director of Business Development at Amplify Life Insurance, and Christopher Rzany, VP of Strategic Marketing Alliances at eFinancial and Fidelity Life, as they explore the evolving landscape of partnerships in the life insurance sector. They discuss the shift towards strategic collaborations, the importance of consumer insights, and effective outreach during critical life events. The conversation emphasizes innovative business models and the critical role of trust in nurturing successful long-term partnerships that enhance customer engagement.

Si Xie, FSA, FCIA, CERA, is an accomplished actuary leading Reimagined Risk in Hong Kong. In this discussion, she shares her unique insights from navigating international markets, particularly in Asia's life insurance sector. Si highlights the contrasts between North American and Asian insurance landscapes, discussing challenges and opportunities. She also emphasizes the role of actuaries in driving innovation within health insurance and provides practical advice on building an international career footprint through networking and collaboration.

Dive into the fascinating world of large language models (LLMs) and uncover their complex inner workings. Discover the misconceptions surrounding the accessibility of flagship models from major tech firms. Learn how applications enhance user experiences by managing context and memory. Explore how Retrieval Augmented Generation improves LLM responses with dynamic data. Finally, navigate the intricacies of customizing machine learning models and the implications of AI's transformative power across various industries.

Join us for another exciting episode of YPAC podcast as host Ganiu Shefiu, FSA, FCA sits down with Yvonne Palm FCAS, FIA (African Actuary with a global mindset and a CAS board member) and Teju Scott ASA who had both trained abroad and have come back to Africa to contribute to the development of the Actuarial profession. They both share invaluable advice on how to navigate the new environment and what it takes to live in Africa and how they have contributed to the success of the local actuarial society in Africa. Finally, they spoke about volunteering and how that has impacted their lives.

Rich Junker and Curtis Robbins, co-authors of "Design Your Future with the Competency Framework," discuss tools for actuaries to enhance communication and professional value. They highlight the importance of networking and community engagement in career growth. The duo explores the balance between specialization and generalization, emphasizing the concept of ikigai. Additionally, they advocate for a noble purpose in the actuarial field, promoting creativity and adaptability while stressing the need for ongoing learning through a holistic educational approach.

Chris Lombardi, Associate Director at WTW, specializes in large self-insured health plans, while Jeanne Cho Stokke, a former LPGA golfer, shares insight on discipline and mental strength. They discuss effective leadership and goal-setting techniques for actuaries. Personal milestones, like overcoming imposter syndrome, are highlighted alongside the mental challenges of both sports and exams. The duo emphasizes self-discovery for personal development and the importance of a growth mindset in pursuing professional aspirations.