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Actuary Minh Phan shares how actuaries can get started using LLMs.

In this interview, Minh shares: 

- How he uses LLMs in his personal life,
- How he uses LLMs in his professional life, and
- His tips for actuaries wanting to get started or improve their skills using LLMs.

Minh is the Head of AI Innovation at Finity, focussing on everything from ideation, training, tooling, governance and development.

With 14 years of experience in pricing and data science, he has built production data pipelines, ML powered dashboards, and custom AI solutions across a range of cloud platforms.

Outside of work, he loves tinkering with technology, overcommitting on learning and building not-so-useful applications, and writing and performing musical parody. And yeah, he’s the guy who wrote the “I’m an Actuary” rap.

Shownotes:
- Dave Ebbelaar on YouTube.
- Animal family post on LinkedIn.
- Homerun post on LinkedIn.
- Actuaries Institute rap post on LinkedIn.
- Savage Actuary.

- Connect with Minh 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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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.

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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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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.

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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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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 new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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!

In this interview, Bill Marella (CEO ACTEX Learning) and Julia Lessing (Author of Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager's Toolkit) discuss the power of communication and leadership skills in helping actuaries build great careers. 

In this interview, Bill asks Julia:

• What inspired you to write Aspiring Actuarial Leaders?
• Many actuaries are highly technical. What are the biggest challenges they face when moving into leadership roles?
• Do you believe actuarial education adequately prepares professionals for management? Why or why not?
• With AI and automation changing the profession, how do leadership skills help actuaries stay relevant? 
• Can you share any real-world examples of actuaries who successfully transitioned into leadership roles by developing soft skills?

Read Julia’s new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit"

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.