2018 Recipients of the Outstanding Volunteer Award
We have all had the experience of working with an outstanding volunteer-one whose contributions exceed expectations and go well beyond the responsibilities of the position. Individuals who receive this award for their outstanding service contribute to superior performance, demonstrate team collaboration and effective communication, take on leadership roles, and serve as an inspiration to others.
Click on the names of the Outstanding Volunteers below to see a summary of their volunteer activity with the SOA.
Award Recipients
Mark E. Alberts, FSA, MAAA
President and Consulting Actuary, Alberts Actuarial Consulting
Mark is a champion of SOA research.
He is the Chairperson of the Climate Committee and the Life Insurance Research Committee; a member of the Research Executive Committee and the Finance Research Committee; and he has been an integral part of the SOA Strategic Research Initiative Task Force over the last two years. Mark performs research funded by the SOA, helps set SOA research guidelines and practice, and participates in every area of SOA’s practice research.
Carlos Arocha, FSA
Managing Director, Arocha & Associates
Carlos is a leader in international actuarial issues. He is a member of the Latin America Committee, serves as SOA’s Ambassador for Switzerland and is a member of the Leadership & Development Section Council.
Carlos is an advocate of international events and issues through his committee and council involvement, writing for publications and speaking at meetings.
Ashlee Mouton Borcan, FSA, MAAA
Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman
Ashlee is a leader in the supplemental health insurance market. She was the Chairperson of the 2018 Health Meeting and was the Founder/Chairperson of the Health Track at the 2018 Valuation Actuary Symposium. She currently serves as a member of Health Section Council.
Ashlee has tirelessly demonstrated her commitment to provide key knowledge to the health industry by taking on leadership roles in the majority of the SOA’s health-related professional development activities.
Steven L. Craighead, ASA, CERA, MAAA
Director and Actuary, Pacific Life Insurance Company
Steven is a member of the Finance Research Committee. He has shared his expertise in finance, risk management and technology, bridging the gap between academia and practice through his steady contributions.
Robert T. Eaton, FSA, MAAA
Consulting Actuary, Milliman
Robert is a trailblazer of Long-Term Care for the SOA. He is the Chairperson of the Long-Term Care Insurance Section Council and the Long-Term Care Reputational Risk Task Force. He is also the editor of “Long-Term Care News” and author of “Long Term Care Insurance: The SOA Pricing Project.”
Robert is helping preserve the reputation of the actuarial profession through his task force work.
Kelly L. Featherstone, FSA, ACIA
Director of Client Relations, Alberta Investment Management Corporation
Kelly is a key leader in the investment practice area with work that transcends boundaries. She is the Chair of the Investment Section Council and serves on the Canadian Advisory Council.
Kelly has also facilitated recruitment for SOA Canadian membership.
Shu-Yen Liu, FSA, CERA, MAAA
Independent Consultant
Shu-Yen is a groundbreaking actuarial volunteer in China. She served as the Chairperson of the China Committee. She supports and expands the work of the SOA’s China office by finely honing its strategy and approach to match the local market needs.
Shu-Yen’s constant contributions to the actuarial community make her an invaluable role model for new Chinese actuaries.
Brian E. Pauley, FSA, MAAA
Vice President of Actuarial Services, Highmark Health
Brian is an impactful volunteer with a deep commitment to the SOA in multiple leadership roles. He is the Chairperson of Initiative 18|11, a joint endeavor of the SOA and the Kaiser Family Foundation, which develops actionable projects intended to lower the cost of U.S. health care.
Brian is also the Chairperson of the SOA’s Group and Health Advanced Education and Examination Committee, member of the Nominating Committee and member of the Group and Health Curriculum Committee.
Kevin J. Pledge, FSA, FIA
CEO and Founder, Acceptiv and CEO, Claim Analytics
Kevin is a dedicated, innovative volunteer. He was actively involved in the implementation of the SOA Predictive Analytics (PA) Certificate Program and served as a content reviewer and pilot program grader.
Kevin serves as the Chair of Professional Development Committee (PDC), taking on the very visible role as Chair of the SOA Annual Meeting & Exhibit as well as significant behind-the-scenes work as a member of the PDC.
Anna M. Rappaport, FSA, MAAA
Anna Rappaport Consulting
Anna is a tireless educator on retirement issues.
She has worked to improve many retirement issues to create a better future for older Americans through her countless hours of research.
Anna is the Chairperson of the Post-Retirement Needs and Risks Committee and the author of “Perspectives from Anna”, a regular column in the “Retirement Section News.”
Heather A. Waldron, FSA, MAAA
Actuarial Senior Director, Aetna
Heather is a leader with a clear vision of the current issues in the health care system. She is the Curriculum General Officer for the SOA FSA Examination Health Track. She co-chaired the Health & Financial Economics module redesign and supplied guidance and milestones to move the project forward.
Heather strengthened the structure of the Health FSA curriculum by providing candidates with a better understanding of the contributions of public health to the larger health care system.