The Making Things Happen column features CAS and iCAS members who serve the organizations in many capacities and enrich the volunteer experience for all.
In the world of actuarial science, where technical precision and analytical rigor reign supreme, it’s easy to overlook the human element behind the credentialing process. But for Jonathan Lim, FCAS, MAAA, putting people at the center of actuarial advancement has been his mission from day one. As the general officer of candidate experience at the CAS, Lim brings empathy, innovation, and strategic vision to one of the most vital aspects of the profession: supporting aspiring actuaries on their journeys to becoming credentialed members.
Lim’s current role may be behind the scenes, but its impact resonates through every exam taken and every milestone reached by CAS candidates. He works closely with the Syllabus and Examination Working Group (SECOM) and the Candidate Advocate Working Group (CAWG), ensuring that candidate needs are considered from exam development and grading to communications and support tools.
“I advocate for CAS candidates at every stage of their journey,” Lim explains. “I’m focused on establishing a credentialing process candidates can trust, streamlining the path to designation, and optimizing our volunteer resources in the assessment process.”
These priorities are not only well aligned with the CAS Strategic Plan; they are also instrumental in transforming its goals into tangible results. Lim’s leadership ensures that the Society’s vision for a candidate-centered admissions process is more than aspirational — it’s operational.
Among the many initiatives Lim has helped steer, one stands out as particularly impactful — the Answering and Grading Insights Videos. Developed through a collaboration between SECOM and CAWG, these videos provide candidates with greater transparency into exam expectations and grading practices. The result is not just clarity — it’s empowerment.
“These videos give candidates valuable guidance on approaching questions and insight into the grading process,” says Lim. “They help demystify the expectations, and that can make a world of difference for candidates preparing for high-stakes exams.”
By increasing transparency and fostering a more supportive exam environment, he’s helping redefine the candidate experience for a new generation of actuaries.
Lim’s volunteer journey with the CAS began in 2018, shortly after he earned his FCAS. Driven by a desire to give back, he joined SECOM as a volunteer. It didn’t take long for his leadership qualities to shine. During the early pandemic years, a period marked by rapid change and enormous pressure, he took on a leadership role.
“We implemented additional exam sittings, introduced new grading software, revised content, and piloted innovative item types,” Lim recalls. “It was a transformative time, and I’m proud to have contributed to making our exams stronger and more aligned with professional standards.”
After seven years with SECOM, many might have stepped back. But Lim saw a new opportunity to have an even greater impact. Taking on the general officer role allowed him to channel his accumulated experience into shaping a credentialing system that prioritizes both excellence and empathy.
Lim’s contributions to the CAS are matched by a rich and dynamic professional career. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Waterloo, where his passion for actuarial science took root. Since then, he’s built a diverse résumé spanning brokering, insurtech, and reinsurance.
Currently, he works at a reinsurer that merges traditional markets with decentralization and blockchain technology — a space where innovation meets risk management. “I’m passionate about applying cutting-edge technology to strengthen insurance processes,” he says. “It’s a niche that’s gradually attracting more actuaries.”
Ask Lim about the long-term future of the actuarial profession, and he’s likely to respond with a twinkle in his eye. “Sometimes I daydream about a future where humanity has expanded throughout the solar system and reinsurance has evolved beyond Earth,” he muses. “I wonder what CAS exams might look like then — perhaps testing interplanetary risk management principles or Martian catastrophe modeling!”
It’s a fun fantasy, but it speaks volumes about his forward-thinking mindset. Lim isn’t just preparing candidates for the next exam. He’s helping prepare the profession for its next evolution.
For many actuaries, their first interaction with the CAS is through its exams. Lim understands that this first impression can shape a lifetime of engagement. That’s why he’s so passionate about ensuring the process is fair, transparent, and supportive.
“By strengthening the candidate experience, we strengthen our collective future,” he says.
The CAS is lucky to have volunteers like Lim — individuals who don’t just serve the profession but shape it. With his unwavering dedication, collaborative spirit, and strategic insight, Lim is not only advocating for candidates, he’s building a better path for every actuary who follows in his footsteps.
