Live With The Maverick

What does it really take to insure a movie, a concert, or a global celebrity? In Episode 107 of the Live With The Maverick podcast, I sit down with Alexander Rosteck to unpack the hidden world of entertainment insurance and the role actuaries play behind the scenes of some of the most complex and unpredictable risks in the world. From film productions and live events to influencers and global endo...

What happens when math becomes more than a subject and starts shaping futures? Michael Marion, Director of The Actuarial Foundation and Steve Alpert, FSA, MAAA, former President of the American Academy of Actuaries, share how a bold campaign is expanding opportunity, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Michael and Steve discuss: The importance of non-profits...

My guest for Episode 105 is Barry Swartzberg, ASA, B.Sc., CFP, FASSA, FFA, Executive Director and Co-Founder at Discovery Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. Barry and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ Barry’s motivation for becoming an entrepreneur  ✅ The vision behind Discovery Limited  ✅ Starting a business during the fall of Apartheid  ✅ The share...

My guest for Episode 104 is Dave Dillon, FSA, FCA, MAAA, Senior Vice President & Principal at Lewis & Ellis and President-Elect of the Society of Actuaries. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟵. Dave and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ What inspired Dave to run for SOA President ✅ Duties of the SOA President-Elect ✅ SOA sections/communities and committees  ✅...

My guest for Episode 103 is Ronald Richman, FIA, FASSA, FeASK, CPCU, insurtech founder and thought leader in the actuarial data science movement. The theme for the episode is 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Ron and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ Statistics, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI  ✅ Whether GLMs are statistical or machine learning models  ✅ Neural nets and their applicability to...

My guest for Episode 102 is Monica Shokrai, FCAS, MAAA, Head of Business Risk and Insurance for Google Cloud. The theme for the episode is 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟯. Monica and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ The risk management landscape for individuals and businesses ✅ Working in various risk management roles at Google ✅ Specific examples of risk management projects  ✅ The cloud and its re...

My guest for Episode 101 is Marcela Granados Lavoie, FCAS, CSPA, Principal - Global Head of Insurance at Databricks. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲. Marcela and I covered the following topics:⁣ ✅ Marcela’s motivation for pivoting to tech/software ✅ Why a software company would need an actuary  ✅ The cloud and how it enables insurance modernization  ✅ How generative AI can h...

My guest for Episode 100 is David Wilkie, CBE, FFA, FIA, FSS, FIMA, Hon D Sc, Hon D Math, Chairman at InQA Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. David and I covered the following topics in 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 of this historic episode:⁣ ✅ Modeling uncertainty within insurance, finance, and risk mgmt ✅ Shortcomings of the Black-Scholes option pricing model ✅ The origins and evo...

My guest for Episode 100 is David Wilkie, CBE, FFA, FIA, FSS, FIMA, Hon D Sc, Hon D Math, Chairman at InQA Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. David and I covered the following topics in 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 of this historic episode:⁣ ✅ David’s early childhood and formative years ✅ What motivated David to become an actuary ✅ Building a strong foundation for academic research...

My guest for Episode 99 is Julia Lessing, FIAA, Director at Guardian Actuarial. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. Julia and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The actuarial profession in Australia ✅ The market for new graduates and qualified actuaries in Australia ✅ Opportunities for actuaries in data science and non-traditional roles ✅ The impact of generational dynamic...

My guest for Episode 98 is Cathy Lyn, FIA, FSA, IFoA Council Member and Retired Actuary. The theme for the episode is 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀. Cathy and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Running for IFoA Council and what she seeks to contribute ✅ Nurturing a competitive quantitative workforce ✅ The importance of mathematical rigor in society ✅ Why quantitative professionals need to have a...

My guest for Episode 97 is Lewis Kemp, CEO at Lightbulb Media. The theme for the episode is 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Lewis and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Content marketing and its relevance in the modern era ✅ Content creation and its importance for professionals  ✅ The three stages of the conversion funnel ✅ How individuals can apply the conversion funnel to their own careers ✅ How individ...

My guest for Episode 96 is Don Grimm, FCAS, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Archer Actuarial Consulting. The theme for the episode is 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆. Don and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The connection between excess casualty and primary lines ✅ Target classes of business and coverage scope for excess casualty ✅ Capacity, rate dynamics, and trends in the excess casualty market ✅ Key...

My guest for Episode 95 is Hasham Piperdy, FIA, General Manager, Saudi Arabia and Director, Actuarial at Badri Management Consultancy. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁. Hash and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The Middle East region and its relevance for actuaries ✅ Insurance penetration, regulation, and market in the Middle East ✅ United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia,...

My guest for Episode 94 is Dorothy Andrews, ASA, MAAA, PhD, Senior Behavioral Data Scientist and Actuary at NAIC. The theme for the episode is 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆. Dorothy and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The link between media, data, and algorithms ✅ Pitfalls in using big data to gain cognitive insights ✅ The relevance of psychology for building models ✅ The link between correlation and ca...

My guest for Episode 93 is Annie Tay, FIAA, FIA, CERA, Senior Advisor at Meanwhile. The theme for the episode is 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Annie and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Manufacturing and reviewing global insurance products ✅ Developing financial strength methodologies for life insurance ✅ The underlying drivers of strategic restructuring  ✅ The pathway to Merger & Acquisition...

My guest for Episode 92 is Larry McClure, FCAS, Chief Reserving Actuary, Americas P&C at SCOR. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴. Larry and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The business imperative for actuarial reserving ✅ Schedule P, Statement of Actuarial Opinion, and actuarial reports ✅ Key decision points impacted by reserving actuaries  ✅ Reserving actuary interaction...

My guest for Episode 91 is Esperanza Borja Mead, FCAS, FSA, MAAA, Principal at Actuarial Factor. The theme for the episode is 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Esperanza and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The inspiration behind starting her own business ✅ Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship  ✅ Bridging the entrepreneurial knowledge gap  ✅ Marketing, sales, and pricing for new busines...

My guest for Episode 90 is Donna Glenn, FCAS, MAAA, Chief Actuary at NCCI. The theme for the episode is 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Donna and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Working in underwriting and product management as an actuary ✅ Origins of workers compensation in the United States ✅ Private markets, state funds, and residual markets ✅ Indemnity and medical claims transactions ✅ The Natio...

My guest for Episode 89 is Ron Kozlowski, FCAS, Lead Consultant at RTK Actuarial and Professional Services. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Ron and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Deciding whether to be a generalist or a specialist ✅ Solving business problems and selling business as a consultant  ✅ Specializing in construction defect reserving  ✅ The importance of taki...

My guest for Episode 88 is Lloyd Richards, FIA, CERA, CStat, Director and Head of Actuarial at Crowe UK and Teaching Fellow at the Queen Mary University of London School of Mathematical Sciences. The theme for the episode is 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀. Lloyd and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Sustainability and its relevance for risk management ✅ The current sustainability landscape  ✅ Bank...

My guest for Episode 87 is Wesley Montgomery, FIA, FASSA, CEA, CEEM, Senior Actuary at Pillar Capital Management Limited. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗱𝗮. Wesley and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ The insurance and risk management landscape in Bermuda  ✅ The Bermuda Monetary Authority ✅ How insurance is regulated in Bermuda  ✅ Accounting/reporting standards and tax advant...

My guest for Episode 86 is Ann Chai, FCAS, Chief Risk Officer at Zurich North America. The theme for the episode is 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀. Ann and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Solving business problems in non-traditional roles ✅ How non-traditional roles have helped to shape her career  ✅ Leveraging an actuarial background in a risk management role  ✅ ERM and other responsibilities as Chief...

My guest for Episode 85 is Kellen Booher, Executive Vice President and Global Insurance Executive. The theme for the episode is 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮. Kellen and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ How to think about your career at the macro level ✅ M-shaped vs. T-shaped careers ✅ Four types of career experiences that are valuable to have ✅ Differences between mentorship and sponsorship...

My guest for Episode 84 is Zorast Wadia, FSA, MAAA, EA, FCA, CFA, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman. The theme for the episode is 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. Zorast and I explore the following topics:⁣ ✅ Defined benefit (DB) plans and defined contribution (DC) plans ✅ Plan sponsors, valuation actuaries, and retirement plan operations ✅ Cash valuation and financial accounting valuati...