Actuary Voices

Hosted by American Academy of Actuaries

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Actuary Voices is the official podcast of the American Academy of Actuaries. This podcast brings you thoughtful conversations on the role of professionalism in both actuaries' day jobs and the Academy's public policy work.

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60 recent

June 4, 202617 min

Hidden to Heard: Transgender Visibility and the Power of Data with Cynthia Edwalds

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.

June 1, 202623 min

Policy Update: Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Auto Insurance Costs

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

May 21, 202638 min

Leading the Actuarial Profession Forward: Insights from Tricia Matson

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/

April 23, 202619 min

AI Won't Replace Actuaries: Melissa McDermott on How AI Will Change (Nearly) Everything

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/

April 9, 202629 min

Inside the NAIC Spring Meeting with Katie Dzurec: AI, Risk, and What's Next

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/

March 12, 202623 min

Decoding the Economy & AI Investments: Insights from an Economist

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.

February 26, 202621 min

The Pipeline to Leadership: Gloria Gilliam

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.

February 12, 202618 min

Telling the Academy's Story: Geralyn Trujillo

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.

February 12, 202624 min

Telling the Academy's Story: Senior Directors of the Academy

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.

January 29, 202634 min

David Alpher, Katie Dzurec, and Matthew Sonduck

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.