Josephine Marks, FCIA(1985)
President-Elect candidate (acclaimed)
Primary practice area: Life insurance
Secondary practice area: Investments
Employer: Eckler Ltd
Province: ON
CIA Legacy Award: Award of Excellence
Position statement
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It seems we share an interest in caring for the future of the actuarial profession.
From early volunteer work on the Younger Actuaries Committee and grading exams to more recent involvement in standard setting and governance review, President of the CIA is an objective that I have been considering for many years. I am proud to be an actuary and would welcome the opportunity to serve the Canadian profession in this unique leadership role.
My vision for the profession includes expanding ways to contribute both to society in general and to the financial sector in particular. The CIA helps make that vision possible, providing a leading-edge yet pragmatic actuarial education, supporting our professionalism and identifying emerging opportunities for actuaries.
This can be accomplished by the further expansion of our education system, supporting our membership as they pursue traditional actuarial roles and deliberately growing our footprint in non-traditional roles, both in Canada and internationally.
We face many unique societal challenges for which our technical expertise and professionalism enable us to make meaningful contributions. These include identifying and quantifying climate change issues, harnessing the powers of new technology (artificial intelligence and predictive modelling) ethically, and addressing the financial issues raised by longevity and advances in health care.
These are all areas for which my volunteer and professional experience have prepared me well.
My management style emphasizes respect for others, recognizing the value that a well-rounded team brings to any endeavour and celebrating the contributions of its members. I also recognize the importance of the CIA connecting with as much of the membership as possible and ensuring that members’ voices are heard.
This connection will include recognition of the volunteer network on which our Canadian profession depends and encouraging both new and seasoned volunteers to take part. As a personal observation, I have always been impressed by the positive outcomes of volunteering – including forging new connections, developing new skill sets and laying the groundwork for new initiatives.
Accomplishing this will not be easy. Each successive leadership cohort of the CIA must build on past success to advance our collective goals. We need to continually reinforce our brand as professional managers of all types of risks.
If I am elected, I would welcome the opportunity to be ambassador for the Canadian actuarial profession and our brand.
2025-Present – Working Group to Review the Educational Note on the Role of the Appointed Actuary under IFRS 17
2022-Present – Appointed/Valuation Actuary Practice Committee
2023-25 – Task Force on CIA Governance Review
2023-24 – Working Group on the Research Paper on Considerations in the Determination of the Actuarial Liabilities of Canadian Charitable Gift Annuities, Chair
2014-22 – Actuarial Standards Board
- 2019-22 – Chair
- 2017-19 – Vice-Chair
- 2016-17 – Member
- 2023-25 – Designated Group – Quinquennial Review of Part 1000, Chair
- 2018-19 – Working Group – Review of ASB Guidelines for Designated Groups
- 2017-19 – Working Group – Full Review of Part 3000
- 2017-19 – Designated Group – Development of Standards on Peer Review
- 2014-17 – Designated Group – General Review of Part 2000 of the Standards, Chair
2006-09 – Actuarial Standards Oversight Council
2013-16 – Committee on Life Insurance Financial Reporting
- 2013-15 – Member
- 2014-16 – Revised Base Scenario Subcommittee, Chair
2023-25 – CIA 60th Anniversary Advisory Group
2004-11 – Actuarial Foundation of Canada
- 2009-11 – Chair
- 2007-09 – Vice-Chair
- 2004-07 – Director
2008-09, 2000-01 – Eligibility and Education Council
2005-09 – Task Force on a Future Education Model for the CIA, Chair
2003-06 – Joint CIA/SOA Task Force on SOA Services to FCIAs in Canada
2000-03 – CIA Board
- 2000-03 – Director
- 2002-03 – Finance Committee, Chair
- 2001 – Task Force on CIA Finances, Chair
2001 – AFIR Organizing Committee
1999-2008 – Tribunal Panel
1997-2000 – Committee on Emerging Issues
1998-2000 – CIA Council
1998-2000 – Task Force on Transfer Values
1996-2000 – Investment Practice Committee
- 1998-2000 – Chair
- 1997-98 – Vice-Chair
- 1996-97 – Member
1993-95 – Committee on Relations with other Professions on Pension Matters
1990-94 – Pension and Social Security Liaison Committee
1986-89 – Younger Actuaries Committee
I believe that my background uniquely qualifies me for the role of CIA President. This includes work experience as an executive within the insurance industry, the banking sector, a large public-sector pension plan and as a consultant. I would also note that I am bilingual.
My volunteer experience for the CIA includes more than 20 roles over the last 40 years. I have previously served on the boards of both the CIA and the Society of Actuaries, as well as on the Actuarial Standards Oversight Council (predecessor to the Actuarial Profession Oversight Board), the Actuarial Standards Board and the Actuarial Foundation of Canada. My volunteer service was recognized with the CIA Award of Excellence (then known as the Gold Award) in 2004.
Other volunteer activity includes the boards of several charitable organizations and a target benefit pension plan. I have assumed leadership roles in many of these endeavours and the broad range of experience has left me with a deep appreciation for the importance of good governance, respectful collaboration among diverse constituents and broad-based thinking.
This professional and volunteer activity has not prevented me from enjoying an active personal life, including extensive family commitments over many years and personal interests which include travel, music, theatre and sailing.
