Meet the Candidates: Justin Brenden

Candidate information

  • ACAS: Nov. 2008
    FCAS: Nov. 2009

    Education:

    University of Wisconsin-Madison, BBA in Actuarial Science, Risk Management, and Finance, 2005

    Current Employment:

    SVP Underwriting, SiriusPoint Ltd, Bermuda

    CAS Activities and Publications:

    Activities

    Nominating Committee, 2020-Present
    Vice President - Professional Education, 2016-2019
    Member, Casualty Actuaries in Bermuda (CABER), 2012-Present
    Chairperson, Vehicle Technology Seminar Planning Committee, 2017-2018
    Chairperson, CLRS Planning Committee, 2013-2016
    Vice-Chairperson, CLRS Planning Committee, 2012-2013
    Member, Professional Education Policy Committee, 2013-2016
    Chairperson, Preliminary Education Curriculum Committee, 2011-2012
    Member, Preliminary Education Curriculum Committee, 2010-2012
    Member, CLRS Planning Committee, 2009-2012
    Member, RPM Planning Committee, 2010-2012
    Member, Syllabus Committee, 2009-2012
    Speaker, numerous CAS and other events

    Publications:

    Co-Author, Financial Reporting Through the Lens of the Property/Casualty Actuary (Current Exam 6 textbook)

    Other Actuarial Organizations:

    Member, AAA Committee on Property Liability Finance Reporting (COPLFR), 2009-2012

    Other Professional Designations:

    FIA, 2016
    CPCU, 2015
    CERA, 2014
    MAAA, 2008

  • Employment History - Prior Employers:

    Third Point Reinsurance (Bermuda), EVP and Chief Reserving Actuary, 2012-2021
    Ernst & Young (New York), Actuarial Manager, 2005-2012

    Other Publications:

    • Presentations
      • Case Studies in Professionalism, CAS Annual Meeting, 2016
      • Reserve Ranges, AAA Loss Reserve Opinion Seminar, 2012
      • How do Actuaries Develop a Range of Reserves, CAS CLRS, 2012
      • Complementing an Actuarial Review with a Claims Review, CAS Spring Meeting, 2012
      • Reserving for Construction Risks, CAS CLRS, 2011
      • Extreme Development Techniques, CAS Spring Meeting, 2011
      • Helping a Company Achieve its Commercial Lines Underwriting Goals, CAS RPM, 2011
      • Premium Deficiency Reserves: How Much and Why?, CAS CLRS, 2010
    • Articles
      • “How to Link Predictive Modeling and Claims Leakage Analysis”, Risk and Insurance, Jun 2011
      • “Risks and Rewards at Ernst & Young”, BusinessWeek, May 2006

  • The CAS is at an important point in time right now, and we will need to simultaneously stay true to our history and step boldly into the future.

    In order to do this, I believe we need broad representation of membership on the Board, including both veteran and younger members.

    I represent the younger generations of actuaries, but I also have extensive experience volunteering with the CAS, including serving a term as VP, chairing committees, co-authoring an exam textbook, and speaking a numerous events.

    I also bring the unique perspective of being an actuary working outside of the US (in Bermuda) and having transitioned to a non-actuarial role in reinsurance underwriting.

    Given all of the above, I can bring the fresh perspective of younger actuaries, but also back it up with extensive CAS experience that will help me to be effective.

  • The Future of the CAS and the Profession: In order to remain relevant for the span of the careers of our current members, the CAS will need to continue the process of evolving to meet society’s needs. Our default should be to look for better ways to do things, instead of to do things the way they have been done in the past. CAS leadership has taken some bold steps in recent years to be deliberate about this evolution, and we need to continue these efforts. This issue spans all areas of CAS activities.

    Education Modernization: I am very supportive of the ongoing efforts to ensure that we are providing basic and continuing education to members that is relevant and applicable to actuarial practices of today and of the future (as opposed to the past). We also need to ensure that we are delivering education in the most effective way to current students. If we do not do these things, our relevance and reputation are at risk. Clearly, these areas have been a major focus in recent history for the CAS leadership, and I would continue to prioritize them as a Board member.

    Speed of Change: Like most large and mature organizations, the CAS often moves slowly. We all know that the pace of change in the world is increasing. In order to maintain and increase our relevance, I believe that we need to increase our agility as an organization. If I am elected to the Board, I will bring a sense of urgency to key priorities and will strive to increase the speed of change, while still practicing sound risk management.

  • Candidates respond to member submitted questions