Healthy economies depend on strong insurance systems, and behind every strong insurance market are skilled actuaries who can measure and manage risk. But in many emerging markets, actuarial professions are only beginning to take shape. That’s where the Global Actuarial Initiative (GAIN) — a collaboration between Milliman and the United Nations Development Programme’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (UNDP IRFF) — comes in.
GAIN aims to facilitate the creation of an ecosystem that generates a steady supply of homegrown, technically sound actuarial resources that can contribute to a robust insurance industry. Working together with various local stakeholders, a shared vision is set out for the growth of the actuarial profession within the country. Activities and interventions utilize volunteer actuaries to help build actuarial capacity, train regulators and students, and strengthen local insurance systems. Several Milliman actuaries who are also members of the CAS recently shared how this work is transforming both local markets and their own careers.
For Brian Z. Brown, FCAS, MAAA, ARM, his travels with GAIN were an eye-opening experience in how knowledge-sharing can build institutional strength. “I spent seven days in Nigeria and two in Ghana,” Brown recalled. “In Abuja, I met with about 20 regulators and held a two-day workshop covering pricing, reserving, capital modeling, and ORSA.” He presented alongside Milliman colleague Chris van der Merwe from South Africa, underscoring the program’s collaborative, cross-continental approach. And it’s not just actuaries who are volunteering in this work. Daniel Adeleye, a senior associate in IT risk management at Milliman-Chicago, also provided support on this trip.
Brown emphasized how eager participants were to learn. “In the 20 or so hours that I presented, I did not see one person on their cellphone,” he said. “Over the course of the trip, I probably received 100 questions.”
In Lagos, he met with members of the Nigerian Actuarial Society and the CEOs of 15 insurance companies to discuss how actuaries can add value in risk identification, pricing, reserving, and capital management.
Brown explained that his previous CAS involvement has helped him serve the actuarial community throughout the world. “As CAS President, I met with leaders of many actuarial societies, and we shared knowledge and approaches. The South African actuaries do a lot of work for banks, and I tried to educate CAS members on opportunities in banking. In 2018, the CAS held a joint banking conference with the South African Society in Washington, D.C. Many countries were interested in the CAS leading working in predictive analytics, and many CAS leaders had talks with leaders in other countries to share knowledge.”
After returning home, Brown organized three follow-up webinars to answer the many questions that continued to pour in. “Jeff Smith, FCAS, presented at two of these webinars on regulatory issues,” Brown said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact continue beyond the trip.”
Kim Guerriero, FCAS, contributed to GAIN by helping design actuarial training for Ghana’s P&C market in the fall of 2023.
Her work focused on accessibility. “One of the most impactful ways I’ve contributed is by developing ratemaking and reserving training for future actuaries and other stakeholders,” she said. “By simplifying complex actuarial principles for broader audiences, we’ve helped bridge the gap between technical knowledge and practical application.”
“While developing the training materials, I collaborated with colleagues across various departments within Milliman and the CAS, which gave me the opportunity to expand my network and engage with individuals I hadn’t previously worked with — and might not have connected with otherwise,” said Guerriero.
For Guerriero, CAS membership was essential preparation. “The CAS has given me the ability to contribute not just as a practitioner, but as an educator,” she said. Her advice for aspiring actuaries in emerging markets? “View the CAS credential not just as a certification, but as a gateway to global opportunity and community,” said Guerriero. “The CAS equips you with rigorous analytical skills in areas like pricing, reserving, and risk management.”
“The CAS provides a huge opportunity to network with other actuaries across numerous organizations,” said Guerriero. “Pursuing CAS credentials can be challenging, so don’t be discouraged. If local support does not exist, seek out virtual communities, mentorship opportunities, and regional actuarial societies. The CAS itself is working to expand access, and there are growing numbers of actuaries from emerging markets who are making their mark globally. Stay curious. Use your unique perspective to apply actuarial skills in ways that are relevant to your local context.”
Rehan Siddique, FCAS, MAAA, became deeply involved in Ghana’s Non-Life Actuarial Capacity Development (NACDEV) program in late 2023, while employed at Milliman. “I am currently serving as an actuarial ambassador to multiple non-life insurance companies,” he said. “We help actuarial staff learn best practices around pricing and reserving.”
Siddique described how his CAS training gave him the foundation to adapt U.S.-style actuarial methods to new contexts. “So much of U.S. actuarial work is driven by regulation or proprietary methods,” he noted. “Distilling core actuarial concepts in a new environment can be difficult. You have to make sure your fundamentals are solid and understand local nuances that may not exist in the U.S.”
One such nuance is the local approach to claims. “Variables like the litigation environment — or even whether it exists — matter,” he said. “In Ghana, claims rarely develop beyond a year, so accurate case reserves up front are more important. And claims handling tends to be more customer-service oriented rather than combative.”
Through GAIN, Siddique also expanded his professional network. “I’ve made connections with actuaries and risk organizations around the world,” he said. “I’ve been on calls with representatives from the IPCC, UN, Sustainable Insurance Forum, and IFRS Institute. Connecting my background in climate risk to international actuarial development has been incredibly fulfilling.”
While some actuaries travel to lead workshops, others make an impact virtually. Tara Miller, FCAS, served as a mentor in the GAIN Mentorship Program from November 2024 through July 2025. Her mentee was a student from the Nigerian Actuarial Society who was preparing for actuarial exams.
“My mentee was working toward passing exams, so my own experience with CAS exams felt especially relevant,” Miller said. “Having gone through a similar process myself, I could relate to what they were facing and provide practical support.”
She reflected that mentoring gave her valuable insight into the diverse career paths available within actuarial work and improved her communication skills. “Engaging in thoughtful discussions about career development and professional challenges encouraged me to reflect on my own experiences and growth,” said Miller.
Her advice for actuaries in emerging markets was simple but powerful: “Seek out a mentor. Pursuing credentials can be long and challenging, but having support from someone who’s already been through it can make a big difference.”
For these actuaries, GAIN isn’t just a volunteer program — it’s a professional and personal growth experience. Each participant emphasized how CAS training, global collaboration, and mentorship combine to expand the reach of actuarial science where it’s needed most.
For Brown, Guerriero, Siddique, and Miller, the common theme is connection — between people, between theory and practice, and between local markets and global expertise. Together, they’re helping ensure that the tools to build resilient insurance systems are shared worldwide — one workshop, one mentorship, and one conversation at a time.
To learn more about GAIN and join their mailing list, visit milliman.com/en/milliman-undp-global-actuarial-initiative and follow them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-actuarial-initiative/.
Sarah Sapp is the Managing Editor for Actuarial Review and Olivia Curtis is a Cross-Functional Coordinator at the CAS.
