Actuary Voices

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.

GLP-1s Explained: Beyond the Weightloss with Dr. Kimberly Ferrero 06/25/2026

GLP-1s Explained: Beyond the Weightloss with Dr. Kimberly Ferrero 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: . Learn More About How Weightloss Drugs Effect Health care Costs in the issue brief. Read Sam Gutterman's Last Word article on Weightloss Drugs, /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/41678045

Hidden to Heard: Transgender Visibility and the Power of Data with Cynthia Edwalds 06/04/2026

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 Read the Academy's Policy Paper on Learn more about the If you or someone you know needs support, help is available in the United States by calling or texting 988. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/41511455

Policy Update: Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Auto Insurance Costs 06/01/2026

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, Learn More About the and Its Public Policy Work Explore Additional Academy Resources on /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/41493165

Leading the Actuarial Profession Forward: Insights from Tricia Matson 05/21/2026

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- Read Executive Director, William Michalisin Latest CEO Insights- Learn More About Academy Governance- /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/41378330

AI Won't Replace Actuaries: Melissa McDermott on How AI Will Change (Nearly) Everything 04/23/2026

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: Read President, Trica Matson's Message on Actuarial & Algorithmic Accountability: /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/40982200

Inside the NAIC Spring Meeting with Katie Dzurec: AI, Risk, and What’s Next 04/09/2026

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: Read the Academy's recent research findings on risk-based capital (RBC) and impairment: Read the Academy HPC's Updates to HATF: /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/40772775

Decoding the Economy & AI Investments: Insights from an Economist 03/12/2026

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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/40417210

The Pipeline to Leadership: Gloria Gilliam 02/26/2026

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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/40243130

Telling the Academy's Story: Geralyn Trujillo 02/12/2026

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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/40090270

Telling the Academy's Story: Senior Directors of the Academy 02/12/2026

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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/40090250

David Alpher, Katie Dzurec, and Matthew Sonduck 01/29/2026

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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/39923980

Anthony Lucero 01/08/2026

Anthony Lucero 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/39663980

Ethan Sonnichsen & Katie Dzurec 11/19/2025

Ethan Sonnichsen & Katie Dzurec 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/39098745

Bobby Jaegers 10/23/2025

Bobby Jaegers 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/38757250

Retirement Symposium 10/20/2025

Retirement Symposium 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/38645865

Darrell Knapp 10/03/2025

Darrell Knapp 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/38456045

Kelly Cusick 09/02/2025

Kelly Cusick 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/38063680

Craig Chu 06/23/2025

Craig Chu 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. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/37114870

Sandy Lowe 06/04/2025

Sandy Lowe /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/36852750

Charlie Lei 05/21/2025

Charlie Lei Charlie Lei, president of Abacus Actuaries, is the newest guest on Actuary Voices. He discusses his journey to becoming an actuary and his role as president. Listen to the episode now—and don’t forget to subscribe so you can be alerted as new episodes are released. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/36659200

Stephen Abrokwah 04/28/2025

Stephen Abrokwah Stephen Abrokwah, president of the International Association of Black Actuaries, joins host David Nolan on the latest episode of Actuary Voices. Stephen shares his journey to becoming an actuary and discusses his new role as president of the IABA. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/36344645

Insurance Investment Summit 04/08/2025

Insurance Investment Summit In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, Life Practice Council Vice President Jason Kehrberg and Insurance Investment Summit participants Steve Smith and Jared Wilner join host Ted Gotsch for a conversation about the upcoming event in New York City. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/36053575

Academy Senior Fellows 01/31/2025

Academy Senior Fellows In the latest episode of Actuary Voices, the Academy’s Senior Fellows join host Ted Gotsch for a conversation about the recent election and Academy policy priorities for the coming year. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/35102920

John Blocher 12/24/2024

John Blocher The latest Actuarial Voices podcast features an interview with ERM/ORSA Committee volunteer John Blocher, who discusses risk management issues and his work with the group Abacus Actuaries in bringing more actuaries of Asian descent into management-level positions. Subscribe to Actuarial Voices wherever you get your favorite podcasts. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/34596340

Marcela Granados 11/11/2024

Marcela Granados Marcela Granados, president of the Organization of Latino Actuaries, joins host David Nolan on the latest episode of Actuary Voices. She shares her journey as an actuary – from her educational experiences in Mexico and at Harvard University to her current role in consulting. Please subscribe to Actuary Voices on your preferred podcast platform. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/33887137

Isabelle McCullough 10/21/2024

Isabelle McCullough Isabelle McCullough, a member of Academy’s Committee on Cyber Risk, joins Actuary Voices host David Nolan for a conversation about the committee’s work, trends they’re seeing, and what drew her to working in this area. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/33554677

Ari Moskowitz 09/25/2024

Ari Moskowitz Ari Moskowitz, an Academy volunteer and board member of the Network of Actuarial Women and Allies, joins host David Nolan on the latest episode of Actuary Voices to discuss the importance of allyship and diversity, as well as challenges the profession is currently facing. Please subscribe to Actuary Voices on your preferred podcast platform. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/33202457

Election Clearinghouse: Rade Musulin 08/30/2024

Election Clearinghouse: Rade Musulin Rade Musulin, a member of the Academy’s Research Committee, joins host Ted Gotsch on this special Election Issues Clearinghouse episode of Actuary Voices. They discuss Rade’s wide experience in extreme weather events and their effects on property insurance, both professionally and here at the Academy. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/32809692

Tamara Burden 08/22/2024

Tamara Burden In this episode of Actuary Voices, which is the first in a series about enterprise risk management, David speaks with Tamara Burden, Deputy Chief Risk Officer at National Life Group, about her actuarial career, emerging risks, and her past experience as an Academy volunteer. Please subscribe to Actuary Voices on your preferred podcast platform. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/32693307

Evelyn Boswell 07/31/2024

Evelyn Boswell The NAIC’s first chief diversity officer, Evelyn Boswell, joins Actuary Voices to share the work she has done to establish a diversity, equity and inclusion council at the NAIC. Tune in to hear how she partnered with NAIC departments to build and implement a DE&I framework. /episode/index/show/actuaryvoices/id/32366327

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