2022 President-Elect and Vice Chair Candidate
Sharon Giffen, FSA 1984, FCIA 1984
Independent Board Member;
companies in Toronto, Ontario and Regina, Saskatchewan
Election Message:
I am an endorsed candidate and am asking for your vote in the SOA’s election for President-Elect and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.
I enthusiastically support the SOA’s vision and strategic plan. I have a deep and broad background in executive roles, board service and actuarial association leadership. My leadership and communication styles are inclusive and collaborative, transparent and timely.
Let me expand on those points.
- The SOA’s recently announced strategy contains many initiatives to address the challenges and opportunities we face.
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- These will effectively address modernization of our education system, delivery of continuing education and expanding the reach of our research projects across international markets.
- The board will provide oversight over the implementation of these projects, and to continuously evaluate the success of the initiatives against the goals defined.
- Additionally, the board will need to monitor external conditions, ensuring the goals remain relevant in an evolving business environment.
- My experience positions me well to lead the board in these duties.
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- I held several roles in the C-suite of a multi-national purpose-driven insurance organization which gave me broad perspective in strategy setting, implementation and control functions.
- Currently, I am applying these skills in oversight roles in the board rooms of insurance companies in different lines of business. I have demonstrated the ability to shift comfortably between executive and oversight roles.
- Additionally, I have previously served as the President of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. I am currently serving on the Leadership Team of the SOA’s board, giving me deep insight into the duties that this leadership will require.
- If elected, I will lead the SOA with the benefit of this vision and experience.
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- My style is inclusive; I firmly believe that the SOA benefits from the perspectives offered by the many dimensions of diversity represented in our membership.
- As a leader, I will ensure that we ground ourselves in the data available to us. Importantly, views and facts will be brought together for timely decision-making.
- And, we will hold ourselves accountable for the outcomes expected.
I am committed to service for the benefit of our profession. I ask for your vote to allow me to provide this service at the highest level possible.
Brief description of current work:
I serve on the Boards of Directors of insurance companies, specifically including Risk Committees as well as other board committees.
Primary Area(s) of Practice:
Risk management
Additional Info:
I have been semi-retired since 2016. In 2021, my husband and I relocated from Toronto to our new home in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. We have had a fantastic year getting settled, finding new curling clubs, exploring the many hiking trails and making new friends. We have started a return to travel, including a scuba-diving trip to Belize and a gastronomy/wine trip to France in 2022.