We Are Actuaries

Off the Beaten Path with Iris Lun

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iris-lun-actuary/] on LinkedIn.  - Connect with Julia [https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing] on LinkedIn.  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].

The Edge of Comfort: Louis Lee on Actuarial Career Pivots

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-lee-363b0b/]on LinkedIn.    -          Connect with Julia [https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing] 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 [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].

The Missing Skills: Martin Mulcare on Actuarial Leadership

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] Experienced actuary, adviser and GA Senior Leadership Program co-facilitator Martin Mulcare shares how he learned what he didn’t know he needed to learn as he stepped into his first general management role. In this interview, Martin shares:  -          The critical leadership skills actuaries need beyond technical expertise, including strategic thinking, leading diverse teams, and influencing,  -          How he built these skills through different approaches, including intensive courses, internal mentoring, and executive coaching,  -          His tips for actuaries wanting to prepare for leadership roles. Martin is a qualified actuary, experienced senior leader and a talented facilitator. He enjoys working with different types of people and he loves sharing ideas. Formerly the facilitator of the Professionalism Course, Martin is a member of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Ethics Centre and is the Chairman of the Board of The Growth Project. Connect with Martin [https://au.linkedin.com/in/martinmulcare] on LinkedIn.    Connect with Julia [https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing] 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 [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].

Next Gen Actuaries with Daniel Bartlett

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] New Fellow Daniel Bartlett shares his path from high school teacher to qualified actuary and his career highlights to date. Daniel is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries Australia, working as a consultant at McGing Advisory & Actuarial. Working across broad financial services Daniel has experience working across traditional actuarial fields such as superannuation and wealth management, life insurance and friendly societies, while also having done a fair share of work in non-traditional actuarial fields. Daniel manages both quantitative technical projects such as modelling, valuations, remediations and unit pricing; while also managing qualitative projects including risk management and compliance reviews, systems and process reviews and migrations, product design advice, governance and board advisory services. Previously, Daniel worked in insurance underwriting and claims management roles, and worked as a high school mathematics and history teacher.  Outside of work, Daniel enjoys being active physically and socially, he enjoys playing sports and musical instruments as well as the occasional video game. In this interview, Daniel shares:  -         His pathway from high school teacher to actuary, -         Some highlights from his actuarial career to date, and -         His advice for actuaries pursuing Fellowship.  - Connect with Daniel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bartlett-70712816b/]on LinkedIn. - Find out more about McGing Advisory & Actuarial [https://mcging.com.au/].  - Connect with Julia [https://au.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing] on LinkedIn.  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].

How to Apply Non-Business Skills at Work with James McAtamney

Tell us what you thought of this episode! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066242/open_sms] Actuary and musician James McAtamney shares what he’s learned from music and growing up in a family business that has helped him build valuable skills that he’s transferred to the workplace. “Just go and get involved in something. Get out of your day-to-day, go do something interesting. Who knows, you might love it!”, says James McAtamney. In this interview, James shares:  - How playing in orchestras and ensembles taught him to listen, blend, and balance dynamics rather than always being the loudest voice in the room - How community theatre exposed him to authentic conversations and diverse perspectives that help him navigate workplace interactions with greater empathy,  - How musical collaboration showed him when to step back and let others shine, creating space for quieter team members to contribute their insights, - How authentic conversations outside corporate structures provide tools for more genuine workplace interactions, and - How early immersion in family business operations builds resourcefulness and portfolio thinking for managing complex ventures. “Teamwork means different things to different people. James reminds us that sometimes we need to just get out of the way and allow our colleagues to leverage their unique talents.”, says guest host Martin Mulcare.  James McAtamney is an actuary and musician working as an independent senior advisor and entrepreneur in Australia and internationally. He is the Founder and Managing Director of McAtamney & Advisors, Principal of Vanguard Overwatch, and Co-Founder of Timbre Collective. James has the rare combination of a creative and analytical mind. From an early age, he participated in theatre, music, and choral programs at school and in the community. He also learned the different jobs in his family’s (now second generation) fishing business that his parents founded and built from the ground up – peeling prawns, learning the bookkeeping, serving customers in the retail shop, right down to scrubbing the bins out! These early experiences instilled a strong work ethic and a community- and business-mindedness that are reflected today in James’ diverse business and creative portfolio and his approach to work. James is an Associate of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial Studies and Finance) from the University of New South Wales and an Associate Recital Diploma in Piano from Trinity College London. Our guest host, Martin Mulcare, is a qualified actuary, experienced senior leader and a talented facilitator. He enjoys working with different types of people and he loves sharing ideas. Formerly the facilitator of the Professionalism Course, Martin is a member of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Ethics Centre and is the Chairman of the Board of The Growth Project. - Connect with James [https://au.linkedin.com/in/jamesmcatamney] on LinkedIn.    - Connect with Martin [https://au.linkedin.com/in/martinmulcare] on LinkedIn.    Views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do no 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].