We Are Actuaries

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] 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/ [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 [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 [https://pricewriters.com/]. Read Julia’s new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/book]" We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/actuary_podcasts/?feedid=5676688]. Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing/] and Guardian Actuarial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardian-actuarial/%20] on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au].

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] 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 [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/book]" We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/actuary_podcasts/?feedid=5676688]. Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing/] and Guardian Actuarial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardian-actuarial/%20] on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au].

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] 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 [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/book]" We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/actuary_podcasts/?feedid=5676688]. Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing/] and Guardian Actuarial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardian-actuarial/%20] on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au].

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] After graduating with high honors from the Wharton School of Business, Linley pursued a successful actuarial career.  She quit to raise her 6 children for 19 years in 4 countries.  During this time she worked part-time as a college professor in China and the US, teaching China’s first actuarial college courses, and also earned a master of music degree in viola performance from Ball State University. Linley returned to her profession and in 5 years was promoted to full vice president.  She currently works as an actuary for Unum Group in Voluntary Benefits.  Linley has volunteered with the Society of Actuaries’ Education and Examination Committee since 1990.  She speaks 4 languages and is also an international best-selling author.   In this interview, Linley shares:   * Her experience taking a 19 year career break to raise her six children and successfully returning to her actuarial career,  * How skills she learned raising a family helped her get promoted, and  * Her suggested steps and advice for those wanting to take a career break.  Connect with Linley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/linley-baker-fsa]. Read Linley’s books: * Don’t Be Afraid to Do What You Really Want to Do – Reach All Your Life Dreams [https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Afraid-What-Really-Want-ebook/dp/B08Y56GKTN]. * Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds [https://www.amazon.com/Wickedly-Smart-Women-Intuition-Transforming-ebook/dp/B0BRQVG3R5/] * Betrayed, Not Trashed (coming in 2025) Read Julia’s new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/book]" We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/actuary_podcasts/?feedid=5676688]. Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing/] and Guardian Actuarial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardian-actuarial/%20] on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au].

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] Qualified actuary, motor pricing manager and author Catrin Townsend reflects on the importance of being able to explain what you do as an actuary to others, and how she does this.  In this interview, Catrin shares:  * The importance of being able to describe what you do at work, * How she describes what she does as an actuary, and * A simple process anyone can follow to discover their own mission statement. Connect with Catrin on LinkedIn [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catrin-townsend-608b44234]. Read Catrin’s book, “A Risky Business: An Actuary’s Guide to Quantifying and Managing Risk in Society [https://www.amazon.com.au/Risky-Business-Actuarys-Quantifying-Managing/dp/3031116720 ]” Read Julia’s new book "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/book]" We are featured in the Top 15 Actuary Podcasts here on Feedspot [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/actuary_podcasts/?feedid=5676688]. Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing/] and Guardian Actuarial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardian-actuarial/%20] on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website [https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au].