Welcome to the CAS Staff Spotlight, a column featuring members of the CAS staff. For this spotlight, we are proud to introduce you to Alicia Burke.
- What do you do at the CAS?
I direct portfolio and product development for The CAS Institute (iCAS). iCAS is a subsidiary of the CAS dedicated to career development and professional acknowledgement of non-actuary specialists that reside within or adjacent to the P&C environment. In addition to our current credential offerings (the CSPA, CSCR and CCRMP), I’m focused on learning other ways we can expand support through educational offerings, online communities and curated content. - What inspires you in your job? What do you most love about your job?
I’m always inspired by the passion and dedication of volunteers and the opportunity to collaborate with them on innovative solutions. I love to connect with those working in the profession to hear about their career journey, the challenges they face and any ideas for how we can better serve them. If any readers are willing to connect to share their stories or help us test new concepts for educational offerings, please reach out any time at aburke@casact.org. Your insight and feedback are invaluable. - Describe your educational and professional background.
Immediately prior to joining the CAS, I spent nine years at the Project Management Institute (PMI) where I was the global manager of certification products. I was responsible for portfolio growth, maintaining the quality and relevance of PMI products and ensuring a seamless customer journey for more than 1 million active certification holders and 300,000 exam takers every year. Prior to PMI, I held senior level marketing and project management roles within education software organizations. I’m a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in telecommunications, and of Lehigh University, with a Master of Business Administration in marketing. -
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
I’m an avid student of Latin dance. I’ve been studying salsa and bachata for many years and just added Argentine tango to the list. Most evenings I’m either training or out social dancing in the Philadelphia scene. - If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?
I’ve been fortunate to visit many amazing locations in prior business travel, but I haven’t made it to Antarctica yet. I would love to see the remote landscapes and, of course, penguins! I’ve read about some tours where there’s a chance to kayak along the coastlines, so I think that would be my ultimate way to experience it. - What would your colleagues find surprising about you?
I spent a few years as a professional vocalist in a funk band that played all over the U.S.Some of my favorite venues were the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and the Houston Astrodome.
- How would your friends and family describe you?
I think they’d describe me as a creative person. Whether it’s new product innovation in my career or the music, dance and writing I do for personal fulfillment, I’m always working on something new and trying to think and live outside the box.