Women's Actuaries Connect+: From "Who You Know" to "Who Knows You"

"When you start thinking to yourself, 'This industry is small,' that's when you know you're at the peak of your networking game."

This insight from Kresh Wright, Head of Product and Proposition at Zurich Insurance and keynote speaker at the inaugural Women Actuaries Connect+ event, captures a fundamental truth about professional success in the actuarial field. Networking isn't just about career advancement. It's about transforming how women navigate and succeed in the actuarial profession.

For those who couldn't attend, here are the essential insights that can help reshape your approach to professional relationships.

Keynote speaker Kresh Wright with Actuaries Institute CEO Elayne Grace.

From "who you know" to "who knows you"

Many actuaries spend their energy trying to meet influential people, but this misses the point of networking entirely; the real power lies in ensuring the right people understand your capabilities and contributions. When managers tell you that you need to "increase your exposure," they're actually paying you a compliment. As Kresh observed, "What they're saying is other people need to know the cool things that you're doing."

Technical brilliance means nothing if it remains invisible to decision-makers. The most qualified actuary in the room won't get promoted if no one outside their immediate team knows what they do. This means stepping away from the models occasionally and making your expertise visible across the organisation.

Building genuine professional relationships

The word "networking" makes many people uncomfortable because it conjures images of manipulative glad-handing and transactional exchanges. 

Actuaries Institute members networking at the event.

Kresh offered a refreshing alternative definition: "Creating for yourself a bunch of people that you know well enough to call in a favour from and for whom you would also do the same." This mutual exchange encompasses knowledge sharing, support, guidance and career opportunities, but it's built on genuine relationships rather than calculated interactions.

When you approach networking with authentic curiosity about others' work and challenges, conversations flow naturally. When you focus on how you can provide value to others rather than what you can extract, relationships develop organically.

A strategic framework for professional relationships

Not all professional relationships serve the same purpose, and recognising these distinctions helps you invest your time more strategically. Kresh outlined three essential categories:

• Operational networking – the relationships necessary for daily job performance. While you don't choose these people, managing these relationships well determines your current success.
• Personal networking – your professional development, mentoring and career guidance. These are relationships you actively choose to cultivate, often with people outside your immediate organisation.
• Strategic networking – the long-term relationships aligned with your future career aspirations. These connections may not provide immediate benefits but become invaluable as your career evolves.

The mistake many actuaries make is limiting themselves to operational networking. While excelling in your current role is important, personal and strategic relationships often determine where your career goes next.

Practical approaches that work

Authenticity trumps strategy every time. When you approach networking as genuine relationship-building rather than self-promotion, everything becomes easier. People can sense when someone is being disingenuous, and nothing kills a professional relationship faster than feeling used.

Leading with curiosity solves multiple problems simultaneously. When you focus on learning about others' experiences and challenges, you naturally shift attention away from your own anxiety. More importantly, demonstrating genuine interest in someone's work shows that you care about them as a person, not just as a potential contact.

A snapshot of members listening to Kresh's strategies.

Preparation doesn't contradict authenticity, it enhances it. Having thoughtful questions ready about someone's current role, career journey, or industry challenges shows respect for their time and expertise. Kresh recommended having "a few little topics up your sleeve to just test out whether you can get a bite." Finding common ground opens "the floodgates to the conversation."

The real relationship building happens after the initial meeting. Following up with a note referencing your conversation, sharing a relevant article or inviting someone for coffee transforms a brief encounter into the beginning of a professional relationship.

Balancing digital and in-person connections

Virtual networking has become essential, but it serves a different purpose than face-to-face interaction. Online platforms excel at maintaining existing relationships and staying visible within your professional community, but building initial rapport and trust still happens most effectively in person.

Kresh shared how strategic LinkedIn engagement can create "FOMO moments" — situations where consistent, thoughtful online interaction makes someone want to meet you. But she emphasised that virtual networking works best "when you're in relationship building and maintenance days" rather than for creating entirely new connections.

The measurable impact on career

Many job opportunities are never advertised, making networks essential for accessing the "hidden job market." A 2023 McKinsey Report highlighted how diverse professional networks foster innovation and career mobility, especially for underrepresented groups, further emphasising how networking delivers tangible results.

Kresh's own career exemplifies these principles. A mentoring relationship with a senior leader created multiple opportunities, including an international role in Tokyo that became "one of the best experiences of my life." Looking back, Kresh wondered out loud to the audience whether these opportunities would have materialised without the connections she'd built throughout her career.

“Technical competence opens doors, but relationships determine which doors you even know about.”

Building an inclusive future

Closing out the event, Institute CEO Elayne Grace emphasised that building stronger professional networks helps "bridge gaps and strengthen pathways for women actuaries, benefiting the entire profession." This creates a virtuous cycle where today's networking efforts contribute to tomorrow's more inclusive industry.

Consider how you can support others in their career journeys. Mentorship, advocacy, and simply making introductions create ripple effects that strengthen the entire professional community.

The next Women Actuaries Connect+ event will be announced shortly. Keep an eye out for details by visiting the Actuaries Institue's Event Calendar or subscribe to receive updates to your inbox. These sessions are for all members women and male champions alike. Everyone is welcome to attend!