Newsletters
NAWA
Founding Sponsors
We have received so much tremendous support from the Actuarial community. We are pleased to have 13 Founding Sponsors of NAWA. Thank you to the following companies for helping us connect and empower women and move the needle on diversity within our profession:
Allstate
Aon
Brighthouse
CAS
Everest Re
Liberty Mutual
Milliman
Nationwide
Pacific Life
Pryor Associates Executive Search
SOA
Travelers
Unum
We look forward to partnering with these organizations to further our mission.
If your company is interested in becoming an Ultimate Ally or Supporter, see here. If you are interested in making an individual donation, please visit here.
Mentorship Program
NAWA is launching a mentorship pilot program soon. We are looking for 20 volunteers – ten mentees, ten mentors – to trial our mentorship process and software for at least six months. After being matched, you will commit to meeting at least monthly as a pair, and to provide feedback at the midpoint and end of the pilot period.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with other NAWA members and to be part of the future of NAWA! Sign up at the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/NAWAMentorship
Announcing NAWA’s Book Club
NAWA is starting a book club this year! More details about the book club will be announced at NAWA’s 2022 Annual Meeting during the update from leadership and attendees will hear from keynote speaker Karen Catlin, the author of the first book of the club, Better Allies.
Content
Article highlights
Title: Reclaiming my time!
Description:
After watching women be interrupted in meetings and conversations, David Terné reflected on how allies can help women have space to speak during these conversations. David Terné originally developed and posted this piece on his blog, Emerging Ally, and has allowed NAWA to post it as a NAWA Narrative here. Visit his website, emergingally.com, to view the original blog post and additional posts by David focused on DE&I.
Upcoming Events
NAWA ‘Advocating for Your Next Career Move’ Panel
September 7th, 2022
3:00 p.m. EST
No cost
Mark your calendars for NAWA's panel discussion on ‘Advocating for Your Next Career Move’ on September 7th! Join us for a thoughtful dialogue on trends in today's hiring processes, interview and resume tips, and a proactive attitude towards new career opportunities hosted by NAWA Board Member, Ari Moskowitz, and with panelists Kristen Long (Actuarial Director, Unum), Alice Lawrence (Talent Acquisition Manager, Brighthouse Financial), and Pauline Reimer (Managing Director, Pryor Associates Executive Search). The session will also be followed with an opportunity to refresh your interview skills and resume with some of NAWA's talented volunteers.
Register: tinyurl.com/AdvocatingNAWA
NAWA Annual Meeting
October 3rd, 2022
12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST
No cost
Join the Network of Actuarial Women and Allies for our first annual meeting! Meeting events include:
NAWA update from leadership
Keynote session on Better Allies by Karen Catlin
In this one-hour interactive talk, Karen Catlin covers key points from her book, Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces. Attendees will learn steps they can take to:
Diversify their network
Amplify and advocate for others in meetings
Use more inclusive language
Open career doors for people from underrepresented groups
Two additional sessions with topics to be announced
The meeting will be held virtually, with potential watch parties in select cities. NAWA hopes to see you there! Register today at tinyurl.com/NAWA2022Annual.
Call to Action!
Connect your school with NAWA
Looking to add DE&I centered events for students this year? NAWA would love to coordinate an event to connect with your campus and students!
Fill out the Candidate Outreach Interest form.
Vote in the SOA Elections
Remember to cast your vote in the SOA elections by September 9th!
How can you participate in this year’s elections?
Learn! View the 2022 candidate questionnaires here to see where they each stand on important topics, including DE&I initiatives in the SOA.
Vote! Associates who have been members at least five years and Fellows are eligible to vote. Learn more about the voting process here.
Spread the word! Help educate others on the topics at hand and encourage others to have their voices heard.
Please spend some time spreading the word, learning about the candidates, and ensuring that your voice is heard!
August Newsletter
NAWA
Introducing our Newest NAWA Board Members
A year into things, NAWA is really starting to take off! We currently have 4 impact committees with 2 additional sub-committees, over 30 volunteers, and 10 committed sponsors. We have already seen tangible, positive impacts from our organization and have been encouraged and motivated by the support of our growing community. As our organization is expanding, we felt it was time for our Board to do so as well. We would like to announce and introduce to you, our newest NAWA Board members, Rae Warner and Ari Moskowitz.
Meet Rae Warner:
I am pleased to accept a position on the board of directors of NAWA. I was lucky to be involved in NAWA early on and have enjoyed being part of its journey so far. I truly believe that NAWA will continue to have a positive impact on women in the profession and grow that impact over time. As part of NAWA's kick-off event in 2021, I talked about the importance and power of allyship. I like to think of NAWA's partners as our allies and I see these partnerships as vital to increasing our reach in the profession. Some examples of key partnerships are those with other diversity networks, actuarial recruiters, industry non-profits, companies that employ actuaries, and our members. During my time on the board, I will look to establish the strategy and infrastructure within NAWA to continue to support and grow these partnerships. I believe this will broaden our reach and increase the impact NAWA has on the profession. This includes goals such as standing up the Corporate Action Council, increasing membership, partnering on events, continued focus on active allyship, partnering with the SOA and CAS to increase women's knowledge of the profession, etc. I am thankful for this opportunity and excited to work with NAWA's members and partners to broaden NAWA's reach and impact in the profession. I look forward to serving this community.
Meet Ari Moskowitz:
I'm excited to join the Network of Actuarial Women and Allies (NAWA) board in its mission to increase equity and representation of women in the actuarial industry, while creating a sense of community and providing opportunities for development. Through active involvement in DEI initiatives at work and volunteerism in the insurance industry, I've seen firsthand the power of allyship and the possibilities that can come to fruition by advocating on behalf of those underrepresented in our profession. I hope to use this opportunity to be a champion for progress in the industry through corporate engagement, policy advisory, unconscious bias awareness, and promoting allyship.
Interested in Mentorship?
NAWA will be launching a mentorship pilot program soon. Watch for a formal announcement with program details and the application process.
Content
Article highlights
Title: I Didn’t Take All of Those Actuarial Exams for Nothing
Description:
Tamara Wilt, ASA, MAA is no stranger to remote work. After starting her family ten years ago, she was able to transition into a more flexible work arrangement. While this was a difficult accomplishment then, she offers her insight into how the industry is changing in regards to work-life balance.
Visit the NAWA Narrative to read more.
Upcoming Events
NAWA ‘Advocating for Your Next Career Move’ Panel
Mark your calendars for NAWA's panel discussion on ‘Advocating for Your Next Career Move’ on September 7th! Join us for a thoughtful dialogue on trends in today's hiring processes, interview and resume tips, and a proactive attitude towards new career opportunities hosted by NAWA Board Member, Ari Moskowitz. The session will also be followed with an opportunity to refresh your interview skills and resume with some of NAWA's talented volunteers. Keep an eye out for more details and registration coming this month on NAWA's website and social media platforms!
Poster
NAWA Annual Meeting
Look out for information on NAWA’s first annual meeting on October 3rd! We will have a special speaker, Karen Catlin of Better Allies, along with other notable speakers. More to come!
Call to Action!
CAS Elections
CAS elections are now open through the end of August!
This year, more than ever before, DE&I is a key topic discussed by the candidates. Please read the Ask The Candidates section to understand where each candidate stands on these issues.
The outcome of these elections can impact the direction of the CAS and numerous topics that are near and dear to our core values and missions.
So what can you do?
Learn! Read about the candidates and their positions
Vote! Associates who have been members at least five years and Fellows are eligible to vote.
Spread the word! Help educate others on the topics at hand and encourage others to have their voices heard.
Please spend some time spreading the word, learning about the candidates, and ensuring that your voice is heard!
Volunteer with CAS
Call for Presentations for CAS Webinars October 2022 to September 2023
The Casualty Actuarial Society invites you to be a part of the CAS Webinar planning process. The Webinar Working Group is soliciting your submission of proposals for upcoming CAS Webinars through fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 - September 2023). While all topics are welcome, the Working Group is looking for topics in these areas:
Business analytics
Problem-solving
Predictive analytics
Webinar proposals should plan to be 90 minutes total, with at least 15 minutes build in for Q&A.
Click here to submit a CAS Webinar session proposal. The deadline for submissions is August 31st, 2022.
May Newsletter
NAWA
Founding Sponsor Program
This year in particular, you can become a Founding Sponsor of NAWA and help to connect and empower women of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and life circumstances to be successful in the actuarial profession. Donations or commitments for the Founding Sponsor program are due by August 1st 2022.
We would like to ask that you, our members, bring this program to the attention of the companies you work for using the one-pager. The Partnerships Committee can help as needed if your company requires more information or would like to speak to someone about NAWA or the Founding Sponsors program. Feel free to reach out to the committee at partnerships@nawaactuaries.org.
Upcoming Election for Board of Directors
Thank you for your nominations! NAWA will be holding its first board election in the coming weeks. Members who have attended at least one meeting during the calendar year and who are in the Credentialed actuaries member group are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. As defined by our Bylaws, Credentialed actuaries include persons who hold actuarial credentials by an Actuarial Organization/Association that has been recognized by the International Actuarial Association (IAA). This includes credentialed actuaries who are not currently practicing. Keep an eye out on your email and social media for more details on how to vote.
Content
Article highlights
Title: CAS & NAWA Highlight Two Inspiring Female Actuaries
Description:
As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Network of Actuarial Women and Allies interviewed Julie Joyce, FCAS, senior vice president and chief corporate actuary at Travelers and Janet Lindstrom, FCAS, executive vice president and chief transformation officer for Arch Insurance North America.
Visit the NAWA Narrative to read more.
Upcoming Events
Additional Events
Title: The Actuarial Foundation’s 2022 Virtual Gala
Time: Thursday, May 12th from 5-6pm CT with a pre-show at 4:30pm CT
Summary: Join to hear from Margot Lee Shetterly, the best selling author of Hidden Figures. Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures—the #1 New York Times bestseller that inspired a #1 movie in America—is the true story of the black women mathematicians at NASA who helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space.
Register here for free!
Title: Candidate Connect Event @ Annual Health Meeting by Society of Actuaries (SOA)
Time: Monday, June 13, 2022
Summary: At SOA’s Annual Health meeting, there will be a Candidate Connect event on June 13, 2022, and tickets to the event are $30. To help with the cost, SOA invites candidates to join their Affiliate Program at no cost to them. Through the program, they can purchase tickets at the discounted price of $20. Outside of the discount for Candidate Connect, there are many great resources available to them.
Title: CAS Roundtable: Learn about US – Network of Actuarial Women and Allies (NAWA)
Time: Monday May 16 11:30am-1pm EDT
Summary: Come join us at lunch to learn about NAWA! From the 80s to the 2010s our profession saw steady growth in the percentage of female actuaries - rising from around 20 up to 31%. But for the past decade, things have stayed stagnant and female representation at senior leadership levels look even worse. It's time for change. And because the support of allies are key to meaningful change, it is just as important to include allies in our community as the women we are seeking to empower.
Title: CAS Session: Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace
Time: Monday May 16 2:45-4pm EDT
Summary: In today’s war for talent, inclusion has become increasingly important. Employees who feel included are more likely to go the extra mile at work and less likely to leave. Creating an inclusive work environment is crucial to success and employee wellbeing, but requires intentionality. It also requires recognizing those behaviors, such as microaggressions, that can make the workplace less inclusive. This session will examine microaggressions as well as actions we can all take to create a more inclusive workplace. This session is sponsored by NAWA.
Call to Action!
Become a Writer with The NAWA Narrative
Are you interested in writing an article to be featured on NAWA's website and shared on our social media platforms? If you have a topic falling under effective allyship, the importance of networking, salary transparency, the pay gap, workplace issues, or another topic of your own that you're passionate about, we'd love to work with you to share an article with our members! We are currently working on scheduling writers bi-monthly for the remainder of 2022, so please fill out the form to receive more information.
Spread the Word
Help us build our NAWA community and share this newsletter or our upcoming events with 3 people from your network!
March Newsletter
Message from the Board
A year ago, we met and discussed the possibility of an actuarial women’s group. We shared our experiences - some really positive experiences in the workplace, but also our not-so-positive experiences too. There was mutual agreement that such an organization was not only needed, but also long overdue. We started with our vision and crafted our mission and foundational principles thoughtfully. We sought to create a supportive community – one for women and our allies – where we could come together to educate, support, learn, and push for change together. As we started to pull together the framework of our organization, we decided to take the leap and launched the Network of Actuarial Women and Allies (NAWA) on LinkedIn in May, followed by our official launch event in October. The support we have received so far from individuals, companies, and partner organizations has been astounding! We are grateful for the enthusiasm from our community and are working hard to keep the momentum going. We have pulled together our impact committees and sub-committees and have lots in the works for NAWA in 2022 and beyond. Our newsletter will be a great way to learn more about key events, opportunities, and voices for and from our community. Have additional ideas for NAWA? Please share them! We welcome and want to hear your feedback too. We hope that you are as excited as we are for what is to come and share with your networks as we continue to grow.
- The NAWA Board
NAWA
For those that are new here, we want to kick off our first newsletter with an introduction of our organization:
From the 80s to the 2010s the actuarial profession saw steady growth in the percentage of female actuaries - rising from around 20 up to 31%. But for the past decade, things have stayed stagnant and female representation at senior leadership levels look even worse.
We started the Network of Actuarial Women and Allies (NAWA) with the mission to connect and empower women of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and life circumstances to be successful in the actuarial profession. Because the support of allies are key to meaningful change, it is just as important to include allies in our community as the women we are seeking to empower.
To support our mission, you can expect the following foundational principles to uphold every event/program/initiative from NAWA:
Increase equity and representation of women in the actuarial profession at entry, in leadership positions, and within all professional organizations
Create a sense of community amongst women across sectors, specialties, and walks of life
Provide opportunities for personal and professional development tailored toward women and allies
Content
Article highlights
Title: Unconscious Gender Bias and How to Combat It
Description:
Unconscious bias has a real impact in the actuarial profession. We are not immune. It can be seen in concrete numbers around the prevalence of women in higher level roles as well as intangible attitudes and treatment of women on the job. It can even be seen in performance appraisals where men may be penalized for seeking help because it does not fit a “male” stereotype.
The good news is that we have the power to take on this challenge headfirst. We can raise our own awareness of what it is, where it comes from, and then take the first steps toward keeping it from impacting all of our careers.
Visit the NAWA Narrative to read more.
Upcoming Events
NAWA Events
Title: Empower Hour: How to Negotiate Successfully as a Woman
Time: Thursday, March 17th from 12-1pm ET
Speaker Bio: Kathryn Valentine is the Founder of Worthmore Strategies, a consulting firm focused on achieving gender parity in the workplace by empowering women to ask for what they need to be happy, productive, and successful in their careers. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Adweek, Working Mother and Forbes. Kathryn graduated from the University of Virginia, where she was a Jefferson Scholar, and started her career at McKinsey. She has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. While in business school, she researched how to negotiate specifically as a woman; that work is the foundation of her research-based approach to women’s leadership development. Kathryn currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and their two sons. She enjoys running, reading and burns everything she tries to cook.
Synopsis: Based on more than seven years of research and hundreds of negotiations, Kathryn has created a proven approach to negotiating successfully as a woman. She will outline the benefits of negotiating, the barriers that can hold women back, and share her research-based solution that empowers women to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Participants will learn:
All the benefits of negotiating, including those that aren't as commonly known
To identify common roadblocks than can prevent (even very successful) women from negotiating
A research-based approach that ANY woman can use to become a great negotiator, improving both outcomes AND relationships
To acknowledge allies and how they can use this information
Title: Empower Hour Discussion Groups
Time: Tuesday, March 29th from 12-1pm ET
Synopsis: Join the NAWA community for further discussions following the March 17th event with Worthmore Negotiations. Unable to attend the March 17th event? All are still welcome to join!
Additional Events
Title: ‘Celebrating Women in Actuarial Leadership’ Panel Discussion hosted by the Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA)
Time: Wednesday, March 9th at 10am CT
Synopsis: Join the CCA Women in Consulting community for a CCA Leadership Interview Series panel discussion where the presidents will discuss their pathways to leadership, changes that have impacted women in the profession, advice regarding cultural issues affecting women, and how volunteering has positively influenced their careers. This event is free and open to all.
Title: The Actuarial Foundation’s 2022 Virtual Gala
Time: Thursday, May 12th from 5-6pm CT with a pre-show at 4:30pm CT
Summary: Join to hear from Margot Lee Shetterly, the best selling author of Hidden Figures. Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures—the #1 New York Times bestseller that inspired a #1 movie in America—is the true story of the black women mathematicians at NASA who helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space.
Volunteer with NAWA
Interested in volunteering with NAWA? We have four different impact committees and various sub-committees looking for additional support. Let us know how you’d like to help through our volunteer interest form.
Partnerships
Focused on building a strategy for corporate sponsorships and partnering with the CAS, SOA and other actuarial diversity networks on impactful DEI strategies and initiatives.
Measurement & Reporting
Focused on collecting, synthesizing and sharing relevant data, reports and information with NAWA members and the industry to identify opportunities and measure progress within the profession.
Marketing & Events
Focused on managing social media channels, marketing and developing events, and forming the organization’s content strategy including management of the NAWA Newsletter and NAWA Narrative.
Programs
Made up of various sub-committees focused on general strategy of NAWA programs, mentorship and university outreach.
Call to Action!
Become a Writer with The NAWA Narrative
Are you interested in writing an article to be featured on NAWA's website and shared on our social media platforms? If you have a topic falling under effective allyship, the importance of networking, salary transparency, the pay gap, workplace issues, or another topic of your own that you're passionate about, we'd love to work with you to share an article with our members! We are currently working on scheduling writers bi-monthly for the remainder of 2022, so please fill out the form to receive more information.
Spread the Word
Help us build our NAWA community and share this newsletter or our upcoming events with 3 people from your network!
Donate to NAWA
To mark Women’s History Month, celebrate by empowering and supporting actuarial women with a donation to NAWA here! Your donation to NAWA will go towards:
Hosting the FY2022 virtual and in-person events featuring speakers and topics to equip our women and allies for success
Technology accelerator for NAWA’s first mentorship program, anticipated to launch Summer 2022
Outreach events for students and other potential candidates focused on diversifying the pipeline of actuarial candidates entering the profession
Investment in improving the industry measurement & reporting capabilities through data collection and reporting
Future NAWA programs identified to provide personal and professional development opportunities for our members