CIA Legacy Awards

David was a man of unwavering positivity, always ready to lend a hand, offering wisdom, guidance and help to friends and colleagues alike. A true pillar of support, he brought warmth and strength to his interactions. As a young man, David excelled in both mathematics and woodworking – life skills that shaped his professional and personal interests.

David’s professional journey began in London, England, at an insurance company, where he started his studies in actuarial science. His career took an exciting turn during a trip to Canada, where he found an opportunity to advance professionally and made the decision to relocate and further his career as an actuary.

In his professional life, David was known for his dedication to his work and colleagues. He was deeply engaged in the profession, spending significant time in Indonesia on a project involving insurance companies and banks. As a Fellow of the CIA, the Institute of Actuaries (now the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries) and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, David made valuable contributions to the actuarial community in Canada and internationally. His involvement with the CIA Board was marked by his advocacy for governance improvements and recognition of the Society of Actuaries’ education system. He was a trusted voice in discussions, offering insightful advice that earned the respect of his peers.

David’s career saw him work at Aetna and then Ernst & Young, before establishing his own consultancy, excelling in valuation-type requirements on the life side. He was a brilliant strategist, dynamic speaker and a mentor, including to newcomers to Canada. His deep understanding of the actuarial profession and Canadian culture made him an invaluable resource to many.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, David was incredibly generous with his time. He gave back to the community and profession, contributing to numerous working groups within the CIA and internationally with the International Actuarial Association. David’s enthusiasm for life, his dedication to his profession, and his love for his family and friends made him a truly remarkable individual. With his passing in 2021, David leaves a distinguished legacy of enduring friendships and a reputation of kindness, strength and generosity.

Frank has been a resolute member and volunteer of the CIA since its founding, in 1965. With a passion for education and actuarial excellence, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the profession in Canada. Over his career, Frank influenced generations of actuaries – through his 37 years as an associate professor at the University of Waterloo and 25 terms of volunteer service with the Institute.

A lifelong learner, Frank holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Manitoba. His expertise spans a wide range of actuarial fields, including large-scale computer systems, pensions, taxation, valuation, group benefits, risk management, mortality and morbidity research. As president of his firm, Reynolds, Thorvardson in Waterloo, Ontario, he demonstrated exceptional leadership while continuing to make significant contributions to the actuarial community.

Frank’s passion for education was evident throughout his teaching career, where he guided students through courses such as Risk Theory, Life Contingencies, Health Insurance, and Canadian Insurance Practice. His dedication extended beyond the classroom as he also led examination preparation, ensuring his students were well equipped for success.

His commitment to the CIA has been equally profound. Frank’s volunteer journey began in 1965, on the Education and Examinations Committee, a role that became one of the highlights of his career. He also contributed to the Communications Committee – helping to develop the CIA’s website – and worked extensively with several project oversight groups, particularly in CIA research on mortality updates. His leadership extended across multiple committees and councils, including his most recent role, on the Actuarial Evidence Practice Committee.

Frank says that volunteering is more than just service – it’s an opportunity to better understand others. He’s shared that the contacts he established early in his career have lasted a lifetime and been extremely beneficial, both to his advancement as a person and as an actuary.

Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Frank enjoys history, swimming and home repairs, and, above all, he cherishes time with his family, including his three children. Then as well, the CIA and actuarial community have cherished Frank’s time.

It is a privilege to present Gary Mooney with the Lifetime Award, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the actuarial profession. Gary’s career began in 1965, working with two life insurance companies and a reinsurer. By 1971 he had earned his FCIA, cementing his status in the profession. In 1981, he founded his own consulting firm, which he led until his retirement, in 2020.

Throughout his career, Gary’s passion for the profession and his commitment to volunteerism have informed his success. Eager to excel, his volunteer journey with the Institute began with the Younger Actuaries Committee, which he was chairing within a year. His involvement deepened as his career progressed, and he’s proved himself a true leader over the past 50 years. Gary chaired multiple groups, including the Committee on Life Insurance Financial Reporting; he sat on the CIA Council (now the CIA Board) twice, in 1981 as a member and in 1987 as vice-president; and he participated in numerous task forces that moved the profession forward, such as the Task Force on Non-Traditional Practice. In each of these roles, Gary built relationships with his peers, living out his motto: “The more people you know, the luckier you’ll be.”

One of Gary’s proudest achievements is his role in revamping the financial reporting and solvency standards for life insurance companies. His collaborative efforts helped pave the way for the federal government to establish the position of Appointed Actuary for federally regulated insurance companies, a critical role in the management of life insurance companies today.

Gary’s volunteerism also connected him with actuaries across diverse areas, broadening his expertise. His commitment to mentorship has shaped the careers of younger actuaries who benefitted from his wisdom and guidance. A key message he continues to stress is the importance of credibility, an actuary’s most valuable asset. Whether in his personal or professional life, he advises to “always do the right thing, and if you make a mistake, own it fully and immediately.”

Spending most of his career in Toronto, Gary is married to Janet, and together they are proud parents and grandparents, dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improving their community.

Helmut’s first introduction to actuarial science came during a high school summer job in central records at Manulife, where his department manager – impressed by his strong math grades – arranged for him to speak with an actuary. As he pursued his bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics and chemistry, he was drawn toward the challenging yet practical nature of the actuarial field. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1971 and continued working at Manulife, becoming a fellow of the Society of Actuaries in 1976 and a Fellow of the CIA in 1977.

Helmut’s commitment to the actuarial profession is evident in his 29 terms of volunteer service. His volunteer journey with the Institute began immediately after earning his FCIA, when he was asked to join an exam committee. This experience led to further CIA committee opportunities, where he worked closely with other actuaries, regulators, accounting bodies and international organizations. As well as leading a number of practice committees, he was also elected to the CIA Board three times.

During Helmut’s 30-year career at Manulife, he contributed to various areas, including pricing, valuation, profit analysis, financial planning and financial statement reporting across multiple jurisdictions. He applied his corporate skills and knowledge to important CIA efforts like the Committee on Solvency Standards for Financial Institutions. In 2001, he joined the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) as director in the actuarial division. There, he played a key role in examining companies’ financial condition, developing and implementing OSFI guidelines, contributing a Canadian voice to international insurance standards changes, and refining insurance minimum capital requirements. During this phase of his career Helmut became a trusted voice on international affairs and contributed to volunteer opportunities like serving on the CIA’s International Insurance Regulation Committee.

After retiring from OSFI in 2016, Helmut refined his priorities, travelling with his wife, Marjorie, and spending more time with their four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He continues to pursue learning by taking courses and accept volunteer opportunities with the CIA. It’s in his post-retirement volunteer path that Helmut’s leadership has been showcased, chairing groups like the Task Force to Update Guidance and, most recently, the Committee on CIA Participation to the International Actuarial Association.

Jacqueline is more than an actuary – she’s a daughter, sister, wife, mother of three and a proud Canadian citizen for over 20 years. Though she is no longer working in a traditional actuarial role, her passion for the profession and her vibrant, multifaceted life continue to define her. Jacque has spent the past four years in a non-actuarial role and is approaching retirement. She serves as executive director for the Risk Assessment and Intervention Hub at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

Jacque’s journey with the CIA began after she moved to Canada, following over a decade in the United States and volunteering with the Casualty Actuarial Society after earning a fellowship. Once in Canada, it was only natural for her to reach out to the CIA.

At one of her first Institute conferences, Jacque recalls a discussion around “materiality,” a term she had not encountered during her time in the U.S. Not finding any direct reference in her educational background, she asked about it. That one question sparked her involvement with the P&C Insurance Financial Reporting Committee, where she eventually led a team that authored a white paper that remains a key initiative for both the CIA and the American Academy of Actuaries.

Jacque’s contributions didn’t stop there. She played an integral role in the early drafts of many CIA IFRS 17-related documents and served on several committees and councils. One of her proudest accomplishments was the collective work she led with the CIA Board during her time as President in 2021, focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as championing a made-in-Canada initiative for CIA education concerning the Institute’s Fellowship designation.

Through her involvement with the CIA, she not only grew as an actuary but also as a team member and leader. The Institute provided her with intellectual stimulation and helped foster deep, meaningful connections with wonderful people – including those who work within the CIA and the many volunteers across different practice areas.

She was challenged to think differently; to embrace new perspectives and to collaborate on team projects, seeing first-hand how collective effort can surpass individual work. Along the way, she has shared that she feels blessed to have met and collaborated with people who became enduring friends.