2022 Board Member Candidate
Hsiang Kau, FSA 2005, MAAA 2002
Hanwha Life Insurance Company Vietnam
Chief Risk Officer
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Election Message:
Diversity and Global Development
The technological advancements of the recent decade have created an increasingly interconnected world in which globalization is a key facet of business. In order to adapt to this interconnectivity and further develop our industry, our profession and our organization, it is imperative that we have global reach.
We must continuously improve our services and address the needs of our international members and candidates. Currently, the Asia region has the largest concentration of our members outside of North America, and I believe that an increased presence on the board from this region will help us better address the multitude of challenges and obstacles that we will face as we continue to expand globally.
As an organization, we are faced with a declining number of candidates taking the actuarial exams and exam fees become prohibitive especially in the developing countries like Vietnam where I am currently residing. In addition, we face increasing competition from other actuarial organizations or industries for potential candidates on a global scale.
Having gone through rigorous actuarial training in the States, and with my direct work experience in the U.S., China, and Southeast Asia, specifically in Vietnam, I have a better understanding of the needs and perspectives of our Asian members and candidates. I have particularly strong understanding of the members and candidates from less developed nations. I am uniquely equipped to find the solutions to tackle those issues while still maintaining and enhancing the gold academic standard and credibility of our organization.
Brief description of current work:
I am the Chief Risk Officer in charge of the Risk Management, Actuarial, and Product Development functions of a traditional life insurance company. I also sit on the company’s investment committee that decides the investment strategy for the company.
Primary Area(s) of Practice:
Life, Health, Investment
Bio:
I earned my B.A degree from Fu Dan University in my hometown, Shanghai, China. After three years of working experience in China, I moved to the United States to pursue an advanced degree and further my education. While I was studying for my master’s degree in Sociology at Ball State, I learned about the actuarial field and had the opportunity to meet Dr. Beekman, one of the legends and pioneers in actuarial education, who inspired me to pursue my career in the field.
Since earning my MA degrees in Sociology and Actuarial Sciences, I have spent over 28 years working for several top insurance companies, across a broad range of actuarial fields, including managed care, life and health, variable products with GMBs, covering pricing, valuation, and ALM for both direct insurers and reinsurers.
To further advance my career, I then worked overseas for Chubb Life and Hanwha Life in Vietnam as the Chief Actuary. In addition to my responsibilities as Chief Actuary, I also served as an SOA Greater Asia Committee member and an International Committee member. I also had the opportunity to work directly with the Vietnamese Government on various insurance and actuarial regulations, including setting up the pension system for the country. I am currently working on the country’s RBC system and am building the country’s first ever mortality table. My diversified experience and background help me better understand the needs of our profession both domestically and internationally, especially in the China and Greater Asia regions.
In addition, I am also working as the Chairman of the webcast subcommittee for the Greater Asia region, serving the needs of our members and candidates in the region by providing continuing education, and more opportunities for them to earn their CPD credits.
I also enjoy visiting local universities as a representative of the SOA to introduce our profession and organization to the local young students. By doing so, I hope to spark interest in Actuarial Sciences and to inspire these bright minds to become future actuaries and SOA members.
Additional Info:
Outside working and volunteering, I really enjoy outdoor sports including soccer, skiing, and recently developed passion for golfing.