Keith Berman, FCAS, is not just an actuary; he’s a global ambassador for the CAS, helping to expand its influence across borders and continents. As vice president-international, Berman has embraced a leadership role that is as multifaceted as it is impactful — guiding efforts to bolster the CAS’s international footprint, supporting global members and developing aspiring actuaries in regions where the profession is still growing. His volunteer experience reflects a deep commitment to professional development and a passion for making a lasting difference in emerging markets.

At the heart of Berman’s role lies a clear mission: to drive the strategic growth of the CAS beyond North America. This involves increasing membership, expanding the presence of CAS credentials and offering professional education that meets the needs of actuaries around the world. Berman’s primary responsibility is to lead the development and execution of the operational strategy for CAS international growth and oversee the support of the CAS’s international members.

The goals Berman oversees are ambitious but carefully structured. The CAS International Council has identified key performance indicators (KPIs) that serve as benchmarks for international success. “We aim for annual growth of over 7% in the number of candidates outside North America and more than 8% growth in ACAS/FCAS members outside North America,” he says. “We strive to ensure that a significant percentage of international members engage in the CAS’s professional education offerings.”

Achieving these metrics is no small feat. Yet, for Berman, it is about more than just numbers. He emphasizes the broader vision of developing actuaries and aspiring actuaries globally, reinforcing the CAS as the gold standard for global P&C actuarial organizations. “We want to help actuaries, employers, universities and students in many countries develop their capabilities in the P&C actuarial space,” Berman says.

Berman’s tenure as VP has been marked by several key initiatives that reflect the CAS’s commitment to growth and innovation internationally. Three projects stand out as major milestones in 2024.

One of these is the International University Recognition Program, which launched in November 2023. This program aligns closely with the CAS’s recognition of universities in the U.S. and Canada, offering three tiers of recognition based on efforts to promote P&C careers and the number of students taking CAS exams. “We’ve enrolled 16 universities so far, and we’re continuing to grow,” Berman says, reflecting on the program’s success in Asia, where it was piloted.

Another significant initiative is the Faculty Development Workshop, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October 2024. This two-day event was designed to equip faculty from various universities across Asia to teach P&C actuarial topics and guide students toward earning CAS credentials. “We had 45 faculty members from 22 universities attend,” Berman notes. “They came from Malaysia, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Taiwan, Australia and Singapore.” The event exemplifies the CAS’s dedication to fostering talent and creating educational pathways for future actuaries in regions where the profession is still developing.

Berman is also thrilled by the success of the Latin America Case Competitions, which allowed students to apply academic knowledge to real-world actuarial problems in P&C insurance. “The Latin America Regional Working Group organized two competitions, one in Spanish and one in Portuguese,” he shares. “Thirty-three teams registered for the Spanish-speaking competition, and 19 for the Portuguese-speaking one.” These competitions provided an invaluable platform for students to engage with the profession while gaining a deeper understanding of an actuary’s day-to-day work.

For Berman, the achievements of these working groups and committees are a testament to the collaborative efforts of CAS volunteers and staff. “I’m most proud of the progress we’ve made in achieving international growth and increasing the CAS brand globally,” he says. “We’ve exceeded all three of the CAS Board KPIs in 2024.” Today, there are 743 candidates outside the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda, accounting for 16% of all CAS candidates, and 603 ACAS/FCAS members, representing 5.6% of all members.

On a personal level, Berman’s involvement in mentoring international students is a source of pride. “I’ve been a mentor for the Student Central Summer Program, which includes actuarial students from around the world,” he explains. In his first year in the program his cohort comprised students from various countries in Africa; in 2024, his cohort consisted of students from India and Nepal. “They were both highly engaged groups, and I was especially proud when my most recent cohort won the case competition,” Berman says. Mentorship, in Berman’s view, is an integral part of nurturing the next generation of actuaries and supporting their professional development.

Berman’s path to leadership is a testament to his dedication and passion for the profession. “It wasn’t until roughly 10 years ago, when I was living in Buenos Aires, that I got more involved in formal volunteer work with the CAS,” he recalls. In Buenos Aires, he coordinated the opening of a CAS exam test center, proctored exams, delivered exam-training to his team members and joined the Latin America Regional Working Group.

More recently, Berman chaired the International Member Services Working Group. Berman notes that his initial volunteer work helped him stay connected to international activities, even when he was no longer working abroad. “It was a great opportunity to give back to the profession while also keeping myself involved in international insurance,” he says.

Berman’s enthusiasm for leading international efforts is evident in everything he does. “When I was approached to take on the VP of international role, it was a no-brainer for me,” he says. His love for giving back to the profession is matched by his excitement about working with actuaries in emerging markets. “The P&C actuarial profession is less developed in many countries than it is in the U.S., so there’s a greater opportunity to make a big impact.”

“I was frequently pushed out of my comfort zone, and that had a profound impact on my professional and personal growth.” —Keith Berman

Berman advises others looking to step into volunteer leadership roles to raise their hands whenever there’s a project or volunteer opportunity. “Your efforts will be noticed, and this will almost always lead to leadership opportunities down the road.”

Berman’s professional journey is deeply intertwined with his international experiences. After earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from Washington University in St. Louis, he spent the first part of his career in Chicago. However, it was an international rotation with Zurich Insurance that broadened his horizons and led him to live abroad in Sydney, Dubai, and Buenos Aires over the course of seven years.

“I was frequently pushed out of my comfort zone, and that had a profound impact on my professional and personal growth,” Berman says. From learning to surf in Australia to building lifelong friendships in Dubai and mentoring actuarial teams in Buenos Aires, his international experiences have been rich and rewarding and have shaped his perspective and influenced his leadership at the CAS.

Berman’s latest professional venture is with Starr Insurance, where he will serve as their chief pricing officer. His role will focus on Starr’s U.S. business, but he will also be involved with the company’s international operations. “Starr has a sizable international presence, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute,” he says.

One fun fact about Keith is that he met his wife for the first time the day before the CAS Centennial meeting. He ended up skipping all the CAS meeting evening events to “go see about a girl.” For their second set of dates, they met in Peru to hike the Inca Trail.

Keith Berman’s leadership in the CAS’s international efforts showcases the power of volunteerism and the far-reaching impact of collaboration. Through initiatives that foster education, mentorship and global growth, Berman and the CAS are shaping the future of the actuarial profession, one continent at a time.