As an actuary, I’ve often thought about how our profession is perceived, and I’m on a mission to change that. My journey has been one of innovation, exploration and a determination to elevate what it means to be an actuary in today’s world.
A lifelong competitor
My story begins in Jamaica, where I spent several years as a competitive swimmer. Competing on the Jamaican national team and at the high school and collegiate levels after moving to the U.S. helped me develop a competitive spirit, a trait that has defined much of my career.
A childhood friend introduced me to actuarial science. At the time, I was majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, but realized it didn’t align with my natural abilities. I was instantly drawn to the actuarial profession’s multidisciplinary construct, the ability to apply math in a business setting and the compensation prospects. The competitive nature of actuarial exams appealed to my inner athlete, and I knew I had found my calling.
After switching majors, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from the University of the West Indies and a master’s degree in actuarial science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. From the start, I was drawn to property & casualty insurance because of its dynamic nature. Encouraged by a family friend, I pursued this path, knowing it offered high growth potential.
I think of my career in two chapters: the foundational chapter and the transformational chapter. These two phases encapsulate my journey from a traditional actuarial path to a bold new direction in content creation and thought leadership.
The foundational chapter
My career started in a traditional way. I joined a major insurance carrier’s actuarial rotation program, where I spent a decade gaining experience in various lines of business, leadership styles and problem-solving approaches. This foundational chapter of my career provided me with the technical expertise and industry knowledge I needed to succeed.
However, despite my achievements, I often felt constrained by the corporate bureaucracy I experienced at the time. Promotions eluded me, and the rigid structures of traditional organizations stifled my creativity and ambition. As such, I had to redefine leadership and lead by example without defined authority or a prescribed mandate.
The only way I knew how to do that was to create content and distribute it on social media, where I could reach a broad audience and be measured by the quality of my ideas, not my corporate title.
The transformational chapter
The COVID-19 pandemic was a watershed moment for me. It exposed numerous risk management challenges from medical supply chain diversification to federal fund allocation that actuaries were uniquely qualified to address. Yet, I noticed that actuaries in North America had minimal impact on the pandemic response, unlike our counterparts in the U.K., who were instrumental through initiatives like the COVID-19 Actuaries Response Group.
This realization drove me to identify three critical gaps that were holding the actuarial profession back: lack of name recognition, an unclear value proposition and a shortage of strategic thinking. Determined to address these issues, I set out to amplify our profession’s voice and broaden its impact.
The Maverick Actuary
My journey into content creation began on LinkedIn, where I shared personal stories and professional insights. My first major breakthrough came in 2021 with “Beyond Insurance,” a TED-style presentation that showcased my vision for the actuarial profession. The video became one of the most viewed actuarial and risk management productions on YouTube, introducing me to a global audience. It also led to my current role at an innovative data and AI firm, where I help the company’s sales organization maximize revenue and drive software adoption in the insurance industry.
Inspired by this success, I adopted the name “The Maverick Actuary” to reflect my unconventional approach. In 2022, I launched the “Live with The Maverick” podcast to address a glaring content gap in our profession. Actuarial content on the web primarily consists of technical papers that are indecipherable to most and paid conferences that are inaccessible to many. The podcast is my way of making education on actuarial science, risk management and analytics accessible to all. With 105 episodes featuring guests from 17 countries, the podcast has reached audiences in 99 countries and 1,100 cities. The show achieved a #1 peak global ranking among actuarial podcasts in January 2024.
My content portfolio is diverse. It spans public speaking engagements, including keynotes at conferences, actuarial society clubs, university actuarial programs, panels, interviews and webinars. I collaborate on special projects, executing social campaigns and influencer marketing initiatives with trusted brand partners to raise awareness about actuarial science. My thought leadership is reflected in regular LinkedIn short form posts that spark discussions within and beyond the actuarial community. Additionally, I engage students and early-career analysts through Q&A sessions on platforms like Instagram. To engage my community in a lighthearted way, I incorporate humor and relatability by sharing actuarial-themed memes on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, my legacy media contributions include articles that bridge the gap between insurance and risk management, such as my piece for Insurance Journal on the Palisades Fire and wildfire mitigation.
These efforts have allowed me to shine a brighter light on the actuarial profession, introducing new career paths and opportunities for actuaries worldwide.
Lessons from my journey
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been the ability to share what I’ve learned so that others can leverage my experiences to advance their own careers. Through content creation, I’ve learned valuable lessons about personal branding. I hope these lessons will empower others to take control of their professional narratives:
- Break free from hierarchy. Social media values contributions over titles, credentials and years of experience. Focus on adding value.
- Share insights, not information. Audiences want context. Instead of telling them what happened, explain what it means, why it matters and who it affects.
- Be personable. Relationships are the cornerstone of a durable online presence. Share personal stories and engage with your community.
- Find your voice. Your online presence should reflect your personal interests and perspectives, not your employer’s.
- Seize the Opportunity. Only 1% of LinkedIn users create original content. The social media business platform offers immense potential for those willing to contribute.
Building a legacy
In closing, I’ve benefited greatly from becoming a content creator. I’ve built a diversified content portfolio, a global actuarial knowledge base, strong relationships across industries and a modern skillset by becoming proficient in sixteen content forms and working with legacy media teams in multiple geographies, a global actuarial knowledge base and strong relationships across industries.
And the best part is that opportunities come to me, not the other way around.
Content leads to brand, and brand generates inbound leads. This philosophy has enabled me to transcend traditional roles and unlock career opportunities I hadn’t previously envisioned. The impact has been profound, both personally and professionally.
A call to action
Creating a lasting impact in today’s world requires acknowledging and capitalizing on the power of social capital, even in conservative industries like insurance and professions like actuarial science. Despite potential naysayers, building a durable personal brand in an age of mass consolidation is one of the greatest opportunities of our time.
Content creation offers an organic way to achieve this. By sharing your unique insights and fostering authentic connections, you can position yourself as a leader and open doors to opportunities you never imagined.
Dominic Lee, ACAS, is an actuary, content creator and public speaker known to the insurance community as The Maverick Actuary.
