Reflections on 20 Years as an Actuary

On 20 September 2025, I had the privilege of representing the Actuaries Institute at the Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia (NSW) Corporate Networking Night 2025 at the University of New South Wales. Engaging with a room full of driven, curious students took me back to the early days of my own journey - standing where they stood, full of ambition but unsure of exactly where this path would lead.

Grace Ng at the Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia (NSW) Corporate Networking Night 2025 at the University of New South Wales

Now, two decades into my career, I can reflect on how transformative that decision was. Choosing the actuarial profession not only secured me a job but also opened doors to global opportunities, enabled me to build teams, and propelled me into leadership roles I never anticipated when I first started.

Embracing versatility, growth, and global impact without borders

I began my career in Melbourne in a traditional corporate actuarial role, which provided a solid foundation in technical expertise and an opportunity for my commercial insight to grow. What I have come to appreciate about the actuarial profession is its versatility, as it does not limit you to a single trajectory.

A few years later, I relocated to Sydney, where I took on new challenges and broader responsibilities. From there, I made the shift into consulting, a move that expanded my perspective and allowed me to apply actuarial thinking across a diverse range of clients, industries, and strategic challenges.

That experience paved the way for the next chapter in Asia, where I spent time helping businesses navigate regulatory changes, drive growth, and build actuarial capabilities in emerging markets.

Returning to Australia, I brought back not only invaluable international experience but a deeper appreciation for the global relevance and adaptability of the profession.

Building from the ground up

A defining moment of my career was the opportunity to establish an actuarial team at Chubb Malaysia. It was a milestone that tested everything I had learned — not only from a technical perspective, but also in areas such as communication, strategic thinking, team building, and leadership. In many ways, it became a crash course in emotional intelligence: understanding how to build trust, gain stakeholder buy-in, and bring people together to make things happen.

The trust placed in me to build that function from scratch was only possible because of the reputation and rigour that comes with being an actuary. The profession gave me both the skill set and the credibility to step into a role that blended entrepreneurship with corporate leadership.

What made it especially meaningful was doing it in Malaysia, where I could contribute directly to the growth of the local insurance market while mentoring emerging actuarial talent.

Over the years, my actuarial training has been the constant foundation that has allowed me to evolve. From pricing and reserving to capital management and strategy, each role built upon the last, culminating in leadership positions where decision-making, vision, and influence mattered most.

That is the beauty of the actuarial profession. It equips you to grow, adapt, and lead. It teaches you to think critically, to embrace uncertainty, and to ground recommendations in data and logic - all of which are invaluable in executive conversations and strategic decision-making.

As I reflect on this journey, I do so with great humility and gratitude. I have had the privilege of working alongside and learning from some of the most talented and dedicated actuarial professionals in the industry. Their mentorship, collaboration, and support have shaped not only my technical skills but also my values and leadership approach.

Our profession is one where knowledge is generously shared and where learning truly never stops. That, in many ways, has been the greatest privilege of all.

The actuarial journey is yours to shape

As I spoke with students at the networking night, I was reminded of how important it is to share these stories – not to spotlight personal achievements, but to highlight what is possible. Many students are still discovering what an actuarial career can look like, and the truth is, there is no single version. It can be corporate or consulting. It can be local or global. It can be deeply technical or strategically broad.

The profession gives you the flexibility to adapt as your interests evolve, while also providing the credibility to open doors along the way.

Twenty years on, I remain energised by the work we do as actuaries. Our role in tackling emerging risks, advising on sustainable insurance practices, and shaping financial systems has never been more important.

To the students and young professionals reading this, embrace the possibilities! The exams may be tough, and the early years challenging, but the journey is worth it. Beyond the technical foundation lies a world of opportunities - regional roles, strategic leadership, cross-functional teams, international mobility, and more.

All in all, the actuarial profession is what you make of it. And if you lean into it, it might just take you places you never expected!