Actuary Voices

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  The Hidden Cost of Complexity: Pietro Parodi on Smarter Actuarial Models 16.07.2026 23min

  In this episode of Actuary Voices, Pietro Parodi, pricing actuary, author, and thought leader, shares his unconventional path into the actuarial profession, from studying physics and AI to becoming one of the industry's leading voices on pricing and actuarial modeling. Pietro discusses why more data doesn't always lead to better decisions, the importance of building models that are both accurate and understandable, and how actuaries can avoid the trap of unnecessary complexity. He also shares his perspective on artificial intelligence, the value of critical thinking, and his widely used textbook, Pricing in General Insurance.   Additional Resources: Read the Professionalism Discussion Paper: Roles of the Actuary Actuarial Models. Read the Resource & Discussion Guide: Actuarial Review of Investments in Actuarial Modeling Learn More About the Actuarial Stnadards Board's Modeling Actuarial Standard of Practice. 
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  GLP-1s Explained: Beyond the Weightloss with Dr. Kimberly Ferrero 25.06.2026 22min

  GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are making headlines for weight loss, but their potential impact goes far beyond the numbers on a scale. Could these drugs reshape health care spending, insurance coverage, longevity, and even the assumptions actuaries use to model risk?   In this episode of Actuary Voices, Contingencies Editor-in-Chief Preeti Vasishtha speaks with Dr. Kimberly Ferrero, the American Academy of Actuaries' Assistant Director of Research. Drawing on her background in cardiovascular and metabolic disease research, Dr. Ferrero explores the science behind GLP-1 therapies, the promises and uncertainties surrounding their long-term effects, and why actuaries are watching their rapid adoption so closely.  The conversation examines affordability, insurer costs, mortality assumptions, patient behavior, health equity, and the question at the center of today's debate: Will the impressive results seen in clinical trials translate into lasting improvements at the population level?   Additional Resources: Read Dr. Ferrero's article: How GLP-1 Drugs Are Shaping Care, Cost, and Coverage. Learn More About How Weightloss Drugs Effect Health care Costs in the Drivers of 2026 Premium Changes issue brief. Read Sam Gutterman's Last Word article on Weightloss Drugs, Weight and See?
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  Hidden to Heard: Transgender Visibility and the Power of Data with Cynthia Edwalds 04.06.2026 17min

  In this episode of Actuary Voices, Cynthia Edwalds, treasurer of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries (SAGAA), talks about her path to becoming an actuary, the importance of visibility and community within the profession, and the challenges of understanding risks when data doesn't tell the full story.        She explores how actuaries account for missing data, barriers to insurance access, the evolution of underwriting practices, and how actuarial expertise can help create more informed and inclusive systems. Cynthia also shares how SAGAA supports both actuaries and aspiring actuaries through networking, mentorship, advocacy, and scholarships.   Additional Resources: Read the Academy's Issue Brief on  Valuing Gender Expansive Data Read the Academy's Policy Paper on Social Security and Financially Disadvantaged Groups Learn more about the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries (SAGAA) If you or someone you know needs support, help is available in the United States by calling or texting 988.
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  Policy Update: Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Auto Insurance Costs 01.06.2026 23min

    In this episode of Actuary Voices: Policy Update, host Ted Gotsch sits down with Rob Fischer, Margo MacKenzie, and Jeff Clinch to explore one of the most pressing issues facing consumers and insurers today: the rising cost of auto insurance. The conversation examines the factors driving affordability challenges across the auto insurance market, including inflation, vehicle repair costs, changing driving patterns, advanced vehicle technology, and the growing uncertainty surrounding tariffs and global supply chains. Margo and Jeff also discuss the Academy's recent issue brief on tariffs and auto insurance, explaining how actuaries evaluate emerging risks when historical data may no longer tell the full story.   Additional Resources: Read the Academy's Issue Brief, Tariffs and Personal Auto Insurance: An Actuarial Perspective Learn More About the Casualty Practice Council and Its Public Policy Work Explore Additional Academy Resources on Insurance Affordability and Risk Management
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  Leading the Actuarial Profession Forward: Insights from Tricia Matson 21.05.2026 38min

  In this episode of Actuary Voices, Academy President Tricia Matson and Academy Executive Director Bill Michalisin reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaping the actuarial profession today. From AI and climate risk to affordability and demographic changes, they discuss what feels most consequential right now and why actuaries are uniquely equipped to help organizations and society make sense of uncertainty. They explore the importance of professionalism, stakeholder engagement, governance, and the Academy's mission to serve both the profession and the public. Tricia also shares what has surprised her most about serving as president, where she believes the Academy has shown up strongest this year, and what she hopes to accomplish during the remainder of her term. Additional Resources:  Read President, Trica Matson's Latest President's Message- https://actuary.org/article/how-academy-membership-helped-me-grow-in-my-career/ Read Executive Director,  William Michalisin Latest CEO Insights-  https://actuary.org/article/bringing-member-value-to-life/Learn More About Academy Governance- https://actuary.org/about/governance/
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  AI Won't Replace Actuaries: Melissa McDermott on How AI Will Change (Nearly) Everything 23.04.2026 19min

  Artificial intelligence is moving quickly, but the real question for actuaries is how to use it well and what it means for the profession.   In this episode of Actuary Voices, Everest's Chief Actuary Melissa McDermott shares what she thinks about her role. We go beyond technical expertise and look into what it means to be a leader and how to navigate the changing AI landscape. Drawing on nearly three decades in the profession, she discusses where AI is already making a real difference in actuarial workflows, what is still overhyped, how leaders can guide teams through transformation, and what early-career actuaries should focus on now to stay valuable in the years ahead. Additional Resources: Read the Academy's paper on generative AI: https://www.actuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/professionalism-paper-generative-ai.pdf Read President, Trica Matson's Message on Actuarial & Algorithmic Accountability: https://actuary.org/article/actuarial-algorithmic-accountability-setting-ethical-standards-for-ai/
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  Inside the NAIC Spring Meeting with Katie Dzurec: AI, Risk, and What's Next 09.04.2026 29min

  Growing affordability concerns. Conversations about how AI is reshaping access to insurance. The NAIC Spring 2026 Meeting covered a lot of ground, and the Academy was at the center of it. In this episode of Actuary Voices, host Ted Gotsch talks with Katie Dzurec, the Academy's Director of State Public Policy Outreach, about the key takeaways from this year's meeting. Katie shares what regulators are prioritizing right now and how actuaries fit into the conversation. Additional Resources: Read Katie's full recap on the Actuarially Sound blog: https://actuary.org/publication/actuarially-sound/ Read the Academy's recent research findings on risk-based capital (RBC) and impairment: https://actuary.org/resources/academy-presents-on-research-at-naic-spring-meeting/ Read the Academy HPC's  Updates to HATF: https://actuary.org/resources/hpc-provides-updates-to-hatf-at-naic-spring-meeting/  
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  Decoding the Economy & AI Investments: Insights from an Economist 12.03.2026 23min

  In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, joins host Preeti Vasishtha for a conversation about the economy, housing trends, and AI investments.
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  The Pipeline to Leadership: Gloria Gilliam 26.02.2026 21min

  As we celebrate Black History Month, host David Nolan is joined by Gloria Gilliam, President of the International Association of Black Actuaries, for a new episode of Actuary Voices, in which Gloria shares her journey to becoming an actuary and building the next generation of actuaries.
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  Telling the Academy's Story: Geralyn Trujillo 12.02.2026 18min

  In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, Geralyn Trujillo, the Academy's Senior Director of Public Policy, joins host David Nolan for a conversation about the Academy's policy priorities for 2026. 
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  Telling the Academy's Story: Senior Directors of the Academy 12.02.2026 24min

  In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, the Academy's Senior Directors join host David Nolan for a conversation about Academy priorities for 2026 and putting our members front and center. 
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  David Alpher, Katie Dzurec, and Matthew Sonduck 29.01.2026 34min

  In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, the Academy's Public Policy Directors join host Ted Gotsch for a conversation about our upcoming Hill visits, how the Academy interacts with federal and state policymakers, as well as the important policy topics that the Academy and its volunteers are focused on for 2026.
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  Anthony Lucero 08.01.2026 28min

  Anthony Lucero, the immediate past-president of the Organization of Latino Actuaries, joined host David Nolan on the latest episode of Actuary Voices. Anthony shares his journey to becoming an actuary and discusses OLA's future plans.  
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  Ethan Sonnichsen & Katie Dzurec 19.11.2025 33min

  Tune into the latest Actuary Voices episode featuring Ethan Sonnichsen, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Chief Government Affairs Officer, and Katie Dzurec, the Academy's Director of Public Policy State Outreach. The two discuss the relationship between the two organizations and how they work together in areas such as health care, casualty, life insurance and more to improve public policy in a way that benefits both insurers and consumers.
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  Bobby Jaegers 23.10.2025 24min

  For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, in a new Actuary Voices podcast episode, Committee on Cyber Risk member Bobby Jaegers discusses building a strong U.S. cybersecurity infrastructure and cyber resilience at the personal level.
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  Retirement Symposium 20.10.2025 29min

  In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, Academy volunteers Connie Rydberg, Bruce Cadenhead, and Spencer Look join host Ted Gotsch for a conversation about the retirement symposium, Actuarial Perspectives and Solutions for Strengthening the U.S. Retirement System, which they spoke at in Washington, D.C. 
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  Darrell Knapp 03.10.2025 23min

  In a special edition of Actuary Voices, Academy President Darrell Knapp discusses the role the Academy plays, and his year as president, with Academy Executive Director and CEO Bill Michalisin.
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  Kelly Cusick 02.09.2025 16min

  Kelly Cusick, the chair of The Actuarial Foundation, joins host David Nolan on the latest episode of Actuary Voices. Kelly shares her journey to becoming an actuary and discusses her position as the chair of The Actuarial Foundation's Board of Trustees.
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  Craig Chu 23.06.2025 26min

  Craig Chu, president of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries, joins host David Nolan on the latest episode of Actuary Voices. Craig shares his journey to becoming an actuary and discusses his role as president of SAGAA.
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  Sandy Lowe 04.06.2025 16min