Description: In this third issue of International News in 2022, we feature a contribution by SCOR, a leading reinsurer, highlighting the Actuarial Awards that SCOR presents annually, since 1996, to the best academic work in actuarial science, with annual prizes in several countries throughout the world. We also feature an article by Jessica Leong, FCAS, on barriers that Asian women must overcome to become leaders. Jessica recounts her own experience and how in overcoming some challenges she became the first Asian president of the Casualty Actuarial Society.

Description: In today’s market of post-pandemic consolidation and org chart streamlining, we’ve observed significant changes to actuarial career development and advancement opportunities. But, those changes aren’t occurring in equal measures across the arc of the actuarial career. Our focus is on the impact felt by experienced reinsurance actuaries.

Description: For the interview with Andy Peterson, he agrees with the changes. Can we please also add the following introductory paragraph: In this exclusive feature, International Section Council members have the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Andy Peterson, Managing Director International at SOA, offering a deeper understanding of the SOA’s global strategy. Join us as we delve into the strategic vision and initiatives guiding our international pursuits, reaffirming our commitment to serving and empowering actuarial professionals across the globe.

Description: We are living in a time of significant changes which are taking a toll on some employees. To assist our team members through these tumultuous times, being a supportive manager is key. We discuss using emotional intelligence to help employees have a positive work experience.

Description: This is the third in a four-part series dedicated to strategies for improving EQ, based on the book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 written by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. In previous issues of The Stepping Stone, I discussed the skills of self-awareness and self-management. In this article, I will share a few more of the book’s strategies and provide examples and personal insights to illustrate how to develop the third skill of social awareness in personal, social, and business situations.

Description: What are the keys to creating the sort of actuarial career that leads to senior leadership roles? Is it to put more and more work into your technical skills, or to develop the 'soft skills' that make you standout among other actuaries? Learn one of the keys to self-marketing in a natural way, so you can make sure that opportunities find you.

Description: This article explores how to create influential relationships with three different entities—your direct reports, peer group and boss. Ultimately, positive influence begins with strong relationships. While maintaining authenticity, mutual respect, and integrity, it is worthwhile to develop contacts, associations and affiliations that benefit your work, organization, and career growth.

Description: A compilation of reader responses is presented to areal life situation posed involving a management, leadership, or other business decision. This issue’s case study concerns an issue that arose while interviewing an actuarial candidate.

Description: What would happen when the use of computerized two-digit date fields used through all of the latter half of the 1900s encountered the date 01/01/2000? No one knew. As Jan. 1, 2000, drew closer, self-preservation forces, competition, liability shifts, and disclaimers heated up essentially across all commercial sectors. The contemporaneous documents of those pressures tell a story about those who did not know the outcome of the Y2K issue, primarily as related to liability, risk and insurance. In this exciting article, Nancy P. James, Licensed Insurance Adviser and Y2K expert, shares the untold story of risk and insurance at the dawn of the Millenium.

Description: Looking to the upcoming 2024 year and looking back at the 2023 year in the International Section.