CIA Legacy Awards

Alexis Gerbeau, FCIA(2004), a Université of Montréal actuarial science graduate, has built his career at the intersection of actuarial expertise and business leadership. An accomplished actuarial leader, he earned the role of Chief Financial Officer, Canada Segment and Head of Québec at Manulife and through the consistent exercise of sound judgment and strategic input.

Collaboration and volunteerism are defining attributes of Alexis’s leadership. As a member of the Task Force on Segregated Funds and Capital Methodologies, he contributed to authoritative guidance used by Canadian insurers and helped assess alternative approaches to determining policy liabilities and capital requirements, with careful consideration of total balance-sheet impact.

From designated groups to the CIA Board, Alexis consistently positioned himself as a driving force behind initiatives that strengthen professional guidance. As Chair of the Committee on Life Insurance Financial Reporting, he provided leadership and expert guidance in developing actuarial guidance for practice in Canada.

A strong advocate for volunteering, Alexis has completed 13 terms of service, helping build trusted, practical frameworks that support both the profession and CIA members. In recognition of his sustained leadership and commitment, the Institute is proud to recognize Alexis with the Award of Excellence.

Alison Rose, FCIA(2009), is a life and health insurance actuary with more than 20 years of consulting experience in Canada. Her career spans actuarial modelling, financial reporting and capital processes, with the successful implementation of IFRS 17 marking a significant professional milestone.

A strong commitment to lifelong learning has shaped Alison’s view of volunteering as a catalyst for growth. This perspective is reflected in her more than 14 terms of service with the CIA. Beginning with subcommittee work under the Committee on Continuing Education, she consistently embraced new challenges and responsibilities, including serving as Chair of the Education and Qualification Council. In this role, she championed the development of an independent CIA education pathway, successfully securing Board approval.

Recognized for her ability to translate strategic priorities into practical outcomes, Alison was invited to chair the Research Council. Working closely with peers, she helped reimagine the CIA’s research program by strengthening governance and data practices while refocusing core research efforts. A notable achievement was the significant expansion of the Academic Research Grant Program, supporting a more sustainable and impactful research framework for the profession.

Alison’s growing legacy reflects her solution-focused leadership and collaborative approach. In recognition of these contributions, the CIA is proud to recognize her many accomplishments with the Award of Excellence.

Christiane Bourassa, FCIA(1988), is a respected leader in health and benefits consulting. A graduate of the Université of Montréal with a degree in mathematics, she brings deep technical expertise and strategic insight to her volunteer roles, informed by a decades-long professional career.

Known for her strong leadership in actuarial standards, Christiane’s service on groups such as the Committee on the Consolidated Standards of Practice, as well as multiple Actuarial Standards Board designated and working groups, has contributed to greater consistency and transparency in actuarial standards. A highlight of her legacy is her representation of the Canadian perspective internationally, participating in discussions related to the International Standard of Actuarial Practice 3, Actuarial Practice in Relation to IAS 19 Employee Benefits, where she helped provide clarity and ensure alignment between global standards and Canadian regulatory requirements.

During her term on the CIA Board, Christiane has continued to drive initiatives that strengthen governance and position the Institute for the future. As Chair of the Task Force on Board Governance, she is leading a review of Board performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and growth.

Across her 14 terms of service, Christiane has consistently brought sound professional judgment and a future-focused mindset. In recognition of these contributions, the CIA is pleased to recognize Christiane with the Award of Excellence.

Denis Garand, FCIA(1987), is a global group and health insurance consultant whose expertise includes the specialized field of microinsurance. Guided by a belief that actuarial science should be applied to solving pressing societal challenges, Denis has built a legacy of service spanning 14 terms of service with the CIA.

His early contributions to the Task Force on Taxation of Retirement Savings in Canada helped shaped policy-focused discussions on how tax rules affect retirement savings and long-term income security. He later served on the Project Oversight Group – COVID19: Setting the Stage for a Basic Minimum Income Plan, overseeing research examining the feasibility of government-funded basic minimum income in programs in Canada.

Denis’s global perspective has proven valuable in addressing both international actuarial standards development and Canadian policy issues. Drawing on experience gained through work in more than 40 countries, he co-authored Is There a Pill for That? as a member of the Single Topic Task Force on Pharmacare. This 2021 CIA policy statement brought actuarial insight to federal discussions on the design and implementation of a national pharmacare program.

Through continued involvement in CIA initiatives related to health care, education, exam grading and beyond, Denis views volunteerism as an opportunity for ongoing growth and contribution. In recognition of his wide-ranging impact and sustained commitment, the CIA is pleased to recognize Denis with the Award of Excellence.

Houston Cheng, FCIA(2011), is a property and casualty (P&C) practitioner with KPMG, bringing extensive experience advising insurers through actuarial consulting, peer review and audit roles. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, he combines strong technical expertise with a deep understanding of regulatory and governance considerations.

Practice-driven leadership and an ability to translate complex requirements into practical guidance are hallmarks of Houston’s engagement. He represented the P&C perspective on the IFRS 17 Steering Committee, making a valued contribution to the successful implementation of the standard and supporting Canadian actuaries through a period of significant change. He’s also applied his experience across P&C insurance and climate change to develop engaging and informative education programming.

Houston is a recognized leader in applying actuarial concepts to climate risk and sustainability. He chaired the Climate Change and Sustainability Practice Committee in its early stages and contributed significantly to advice statements, including the recent advice statement to the International Actuarial Association on climate-related disclosures. Through his work with the British Columbia climate change drafting entity, he helped translate emerging regulatory climate expectations into practical considerations for P&C actuaries.

Across 12 terms of volunteer service, Houston has consistently promoted high standards in education and practice development. In recognition of this sustained leadership and impact, the CIA is proud to recognize Houston with the Award of Excellence.

Jared Mickall, FCIA(2008), is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Actuarial Mathematics program. He joined Mercer in 2000 and over 25 years has developed as an analyst, actuary, consultant, public speaker and professional. Currently, Jared is the Director of Actuarial and Pension Services at Manitoba’s Civil Service Superannuation Board.

He first volunteered with the CIA in 2009, developing pension-related content for the Practice Education Course.

Jared became involved with the Committee on Pension Plan Financial Reporting as a member in 2015, then chair in 2019. As Chair, he brought together the expertise and perspectives of committee members to develop numerous educational notes, including guidance supporting 2020 changes to commuted value standards. His ability to interpret standards of practice and pension legislation is a valued strength, including his leadership contributions to CIA advice statements on provincial pension standards.

Jared continued this collaborative approach in council leadership roles. His brief tenure on Research Council project oversight groups included the launch of the Canadian mortality improvements research project. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Actuarial Guidance Council, supporting the council’s mandate and the development of educational notes for actuarial practice in Canada.

Known for his ability to engage others in strengthening actuarial standards and guidance, the CIA is proud to recognize Jared with the Award of Excellence for his 12 terms of volunteer service with the CIA.

Jill Harper, FCIA(2016) is an actuarial consultant specializing in life insurance modelling with a unique background in actuarial software design. She brings warmth and kindness to each endeavour and balances family, work and volunteerism with mastery.

Recognizing the importance of effective influence and knowledge sharing, Jill explored new ways to share research outcomes with members during her terms on the Research Council. A key milestone in her legacy was her instrumental role in establishing the Seeing Beyond Risk podcast, including hosting its inaugural episode, Launching Seeing Beyond Risk!, on March 1, 2019. Jill went on to host 21 episodes of this monthly series before its recent conclusion. She further contributed to CIA communications as a member of the Public Affairs Council, advancing opportunities for the CIA to help shape public policy and develop insight statements.

Jill’s volunteer legacy includes significant governance leadership with both the CIA and the Actuarial Foundation of Canada, the philanthropic arm of the actuarial profession in Canada. As a member of the CIA Board and IT Advisory Group, she contributed thoughtfully to complex deliberations, combining her unique experience with technology with a talent for asking the questions that lead to sound, strategic decisions

The CIA recognizes Jill with the Award of Excellence, highlighting impactful and far-reaching change over 12 terms of volunteer service.

Julia Viinikka, FCIA(2007), is a respected academic and life insurance executive with diverse practice experience. As a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo, Julia made significant contributions to influential CIA-supported research on the conditional tail expectation, an important actuarial risk measure. Her work helped advance actuarial understanding of tail risk and exemplifies the meaningful and lasting impact she has had on the profession.

Her 12 terms of volunteer service with the CIA reflect a continued pursuit of knowledge. She contributed to strengthening finance and investment education and examination development, and participated on the Task Force on the Future of the Practice Education Course, shaping a decade of professionalism education for future Fellows of the CIA.

Her academic lens brought valuable insight to the Research Council’s evaluation of prospective core and exploratory research. This same critical analysis is highly valued by the Actuarial Standards Board (ASB), where, as a member, she engages with actuarial leaders to ensure standards remain current and relevant. Her current work with the ASB’s Investigative Group on the Use of Models is particularly important as the group monitors emerging challenges and opportunities posed by evolving modelling techniques, including generative AI and large language models.

The legacy Julia is curating combines curiosity and a deep commitment to a science that profoundly impacts the public interest. The CIA celebrates Julia’s many achievements with the Award of Excellence.

Kathy Thompson, FCIA(2002), is a recently retired insurance executive and recognized leader in life insurance and enterprise risk management, with over 36 years at Empire Life. This breadth of experience informed a well-rounded perspective on actuarial practice and organizational risk, which added incredible value over her 12 terms of volunteer service with the CIA.

A reflection of her risk expertise and strong leadership, Kathy has made a meaningful impact across every function of the Institute. For example, during her term on the Enterprise Risk Management Practice Committee she helped develop practical resources that enabled actuaries to apply enterprise risk management (ERM) principles across a wide range of organizations. She also led the development of an electronic risk booklet, creating an accessible resource to support ERM application.

As Chair of the Public Affairs Council, Kathy improved coordination of publications across research, practice development and public statements, increasing communications among the Institute’s six volunteer councils and creating efficiencies in resource allocation.

The CIA is recognizing Kathy’s many volunteer contributions with the Award of Excellence. Her legacy is defined by her deep appreciation for the profession and the grace and kindness she brings to every challenge.

Louis Doiron, FCIA(1986), contributes a unique career path spanning more than 45 years across multiple practice areas, including life and health, property and casualty, climate and academia. His roles have included Appointed Actuary, chief agent, chief risk officer, chief actuary and full professor. His contributions also include 12 terms of service with the CIA and a sustained commitment to strengthening the profession.

Known for his commitment to evidence-based guidance, Louis has also served the research function of the CIA in a variety of leadership roles. As Chair of the Academic Research Committee, he led the refinement of academic research priorities under the CIA’s restructured research program. During his term with the Research Project Group – Evidence-Informed Public Health and Safety Decisions Amid Pandemics, he collaborated with peers to demonstrate how actuarial models can inform public policy and protect Canadians during systemic crises.

He has made significant contributions to the education and development of actuaries. As the CIA’s representative on the International Actuarial Association Education Committee, Louis brought a Canadian perspective to discussions shaping the future of actuarial education. He also applied his risk expertise to climate-change initiatives by serving on the relevant practice committee, helping bring the CIA’s first-ever Climate Change and Sustainability Symposium to fruition, and currently serving on the Actuarial Standards Board Designated Group on ISAP 8 – IFRS S2 Climate-Related Disclosures.

In recognition of his impact and enduring commitment to serving the best interests of Canadians, the CIA is proud to present Louis with the Award of Excellence.

Peter Gorham, FCIA(1987), holds degrees from the University of Toronto in both computer science and actuarial science and has more than 50 years of pension practice experience. His practice includes actuarial evidence and serving as an expert witness on pension matters.

Valuing lifelong learning, Peter has contributed to CIA education, providing inclusive leadership that draws on the strengths of others. As Chair of the Continuing Professional Development Committee, he led the development of the CIA’s original CPD framework. His passion for education was further reflected in his role as co-author of the 2024 Education and Longevity insight statement, which built on a paper by FCIA Robert Brown and concluded that “higher education … leads to better health and to longer healthy life expectancy.”

Peter’s gentle nature and ability to articulate complex ideas makes him an ideal presenter for the CIA’s Advanced Professionalism and Leadership Course, where he has engaged future FCIAs on the responsibilities of professional practice. He’s also served on the Professional Conduct Board and the Public Affairs Council, consistently demonstrating his commitment to the public interest.

Peter’s legacy reflects a deep pride in his profession and a commitment to its future. In recognition of his completion of 12 terms of volunteer service and his unwavering dedication, the CIA proudly recognizes Peter with the Award of Excellence.