By William J. Michalisin
One of the core strengths of the American Academy of Actuaries is the expertise and commitment of our members who choose to raise their hands as volunteers. Every public policy work product, professionalism resource, educational effort, and member engagement initiative is made possible because Academy members generously share their time and knowledge in service to both the U.S. actuarial profession and the public. That volunteer-driven model remains the foundation of who we are and the value the Academy brings to our many stakeholders.
As the environment in which we operate becomes increasingly complex, we must continue evolving to meet the changing needs of our members, policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders. That is why I am excited to share an important investment in the Academy: the addition of four staff actuary positions in the life, health, casualty, and retirement practice areas.
These positions represent more than new roles—they reflect our commitment to strengthening the Academy’s mission and continuing to grow and expand our impact. Our mission is to serve the public and the U.S. actuarial profession by providing objective, independent, and balanced actuarial expertise. Achieving that mission requires exceptional volunteer leadership supported by exceptional staff. Historically, the Academy worked with part-time actuarial consultants as senior fellows, who served as trusted advisors on policy issues and stakeholder engagement. Bringing the role in-house and as a full-time resource retains these strengths while building on and enhancing that value to the many stakeholders we serve.
These new positions will strengthen that partnership by bringing additional actuarial expertise into the organization to work alongside our volunteers. Together, they will help advance professionalism, inform public policy, expand member value, and increase awareness of the profession’s value with clarity and transparency.
Working alongside our volunteers, these staff actuaries will help identify emerging issues, conduct research and analysis, deepen and expand stakeholder relationships, support priority initiatives, develop timely and responsive resources, and ensure that volunteer efforts can have even greater reach and impact. By adding actuarial perspective to our staff, we will enhance our service to the profession and respond more effectively to an increasingly dynamic legislative and regulatory environment, while preserving the thoughtful, volunteer-driven processes that define the Academy.
“By adding actuarial perspective to our staff, we will enhance our service to the profession and respond more effectively to an increasingly dynamic legislative and regulatory environment, while preserving the thoughtful, volunteer-driven processes that define the Academy.“
This investment also reflects our strategic plan. Across each of our strategic priorities, these new roles create opportunities to elevate the Academy’s impact.
- In advancing professionalism and practice, they will help strengthen educational resources, support thought leadership, and reinforce the professionalism structures that reside within the Academy, enabling self-regulation and reinforcing our commitment to serving the public with integrity and excellence.
- In informing public policy, they will enhance our ability to proactively engage with and deepen relationships with our many stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, and other decision-makers, as we continue to provide timely, objective, and balanced actuarial expertise on issues that affect millions of Americans.
- In enhancing member value, they will help identify emerging trends, develop practical resources, support volunteer engagement, drive alignment between stakeholder priorities and organizational goals, and create additional opportunities for members to contribute their expertise while receiving greater value from their Academy membership.
- And in promoting visibility and transparency, they will help reinforce the value and increase awareness of the Academy and the U.S. actuarial profession while translating complex actuarial issues into information that is meaningful, accessible, and valuable to members, stakeholders, and the public.
These additions also recognize the extraordinary talent of the existing Academy’s staff. Fifty-five dedicated professionals support our work across public policy, professionalism, member service and engagement, communications and publications, education, governance, research, finance, technology, human resources, operations, and organizational leadership. Every day, they work behind the scenes to support our members and volunteers, deepen relationships with stakeholders, and ensure the Academy delivers on its mission.
Adding credentialed actuaries to this already talented team further strengthens the partnership between staff and volunteers. Volunteers contribute deep actuarial expertise and real-world experience from every area of practice, while staff provide continuity, coordination, institutional knowledge, strategic execution, and operational excellence. Together, they create an organization capable of delivering thoughtful, credible, and impactful work that neither could accomplish alone. This collaborative model is one of the Academy’s greatest differentiators and essential to our continued success.
As the Academy continues to evolve, we will remain firmly grounded in the values that have defined us for six decades: objectivity, independence, balance, professionalism, collaboration, and service. At the same time, we will continue making thoughtful investments that position the Academy, the U.S. actuarial profession, and our members for the future.
The addition of the staff actuary roles and the continued investment in our staff strengthens our ability to deliver on our mission and increases our impact on behalf of all those we serve. It reflects our confidence in the future of the Academy, as well as our belief that combining outstanding volunteer leadership with exceptional professional staff will enable us to make an even greater impact in the years ahead.
I have never been more optimistic about the direction of the Academy. The challenges facing the U.S. actuarial profession continue to evolve, but so do the opportunities. By investing in our people, building on the partnership between volunteers and staff, and remaining focused on our mission, we are positioning the Academy to continue serving as the trusted voice for actuarial professionalism and public policy in the United States—today and for generations to come.
William J. Michalisin is the Academy’s executive director and CEO.