2021 RAPA Virtual Fall Conference

Emerging Stronger Together

Tuesday October 19, 2021

10:30-2:30 EST 

Here’s what we’re working on:

td {padding: 5px;}

  • Innovation in Medicine – Transforming the Trajectory of Diseases with Carmela Tedesco
  • Workplace Landscape
    Reza Salari, Information Security
    Desann Jackbir-Ingram, Career Skills Framework
  • Emerging Trends
    Brian Millman, Jumbo Solutions
    Ed Deuser, Emerging Technology
    Tiffany Norman, Annuities
  • Roundtable Discussions
    Brian Millman: Emerging Trends – A Watercooler Conversation
    Margaret Campbell: Workplace of the Future
  • AND we will have an innovative coffee break brought to you by generous sponsors!

Click here to register

TOPICS & GUEST SPEAKERS:

Carmela Tedesco,

Vice President of Business Initiatives, RGAX

As Vice President of Business Initiatives, Carmela Tedesco collaborates with industry experts and key stakeholders throughout the Americas-working toward a collective vision of innovation for the global life insurance ecosystem. As part of RGAX’s Americas Innovation team,  Carmela focuses on delivering strategic, transformative business solutions for RGA and its clients.

Under Carmela’s leadership, the Underwriting Services business was established at LOGiQ3, a subsidiary of RGAX. During this time,  Carmela was instrumental in designing and developing the Underwriting Training Program (UTP), using creative thinking to bring  underwriting training beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Carmela helped shape and define the organization’s culture and, subsequently, in 2015, LOGiQ3 was recognized as one of  the 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures in Canada.

With more than 25 years of experience in Life, Disability, Critical Illness, Health and Group underwriting and products, Carmela’s background includes life reinsurance and direct insurance for the North American, European and Caribbean markets. Prior to LOGiQ3, Carmela led Individual New Business and Underwriting at Canada Life in Toronto.

Carmela is a business graduate of Centennial College Applied Arts and Technology and pursued French Studies at York University. She was previously president of the Underwriters Association of Toronto (UAT) and served on the AHOU Social Media Committee. She is currently a contributing editor for the On-The-Risk (OTR) underwriting publication.

Reza Salari,

Head of Business Information Security (BISO) for Pacific Life Re

Based in London but originally from California, Reza is responsible for a global security program that spans 10 countries. Reza has been in the cyber security field for 19 years having started in the United States Air Force. He spent 13 years in the defense industry including 3 years in Italy and 5 years in Germany before moving into the insurance industry. He is an expert in security strategy and training & awareness. Reza holds an MBA from University of California, Irvine and a MS in Computer Information Systems Security from Boston University and is a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP).

Presentation description:

The new “normal” of security – as working from home has moved from being just temporary during lockdown to becoming an essential part of future operating models for most organisations, the quick band-aids we applied to get the business up and running are starting to show their age. What long term risks exist from working from home, how do we handle breaches, and protect our sensitive data while enabling the business to meet expectations for hybrid working.

Desann Jackbir-Ingram,

Equitable Life

She leads the Talent, People Analytics and Employee Experience function within HR People Journeys at Equitable, a financial services company with a mission to help its clients secure their financial well-being so they can pursue long and fulfilling lives.

In this role, she defines Equitable’s talent strategy, including integrating an enriching Employee Experience to realize the firm’s overarching Employee Value Proposition. In addition, she oversees the people analytics function and advanced analytics capabilities and data intelligence tools to measure and support business outcomes.

Desann has spent over 15 years designing and executing sustainable people strategies across the Talent Management space including multiple transformation initiatives at the intersection of digital and business transformation.  With a passion for the discipline, Desann has held multiple roles across Human Resources practice including Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Performance Lead and as an HR Business Partner.

She is based in New York City, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Stony Brook.

Brian Millman,

Vice President and Head of Member Engagement, MIB Group Inc.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Millman led MIB’s membership, new business development, product development, sales and marketing.  His expertise includes underwriting technology, business process and analytics.  He is a frequent presenter at industry conferences including ReFocus, Association of Home Office Underwriters, Global insurance Symposium and the Society of Actuaries.  Mr. Millman holds a B.S. in Management from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA and an M.B.A. from Curry College in Milton, MA.  He also holds certificates in technology from both Bentley College and Northeastern University.

Ed Deuser,

Senior Software Architect, RGA Reinsurance

In his role, Ed is responsible for technical solutions that support RGA’s global business units, including Actuarial, Finance and Investments along with delivering and guiding other enterprise objectives. In Ed’s tenure at RGA he has led Architecture Governance Council, technical lead for B3i (representing RGA), lead RGA’s emerging technology team and is currently accountable for ensuring the technical architecture and delivery for RGAs’ compliance to LDTI and IFRS regulations.

In addition, to his experience with the insurance sector he has worked in financial services, government, and law enforcement.

Ed received his Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. His article ““From R Studio to Real-Time Operations,” which he co-authored with RGA Lead Data Scientist Jeff Heaton, was published in the December 2017 issue of the Society of Actuaries’ Predictive Analytics and Futurism Section newsletter.

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-deuser-2768916@edeuser

Tiffany Norman,

Senior Vice President and Head of Annuity Solutions, Hannover Re

Tiffany is responsible for the growth and management of annuity reinsurance for the US. She has been in the reinsurance industry for over 15 years and gained broad exposure to multiple accounting and capital frameworks, underlying life and annuity products and various forms of reinsurance solutions. In her current role, she spends a material amount of time communicating with insurance companies and their advisors to make sure all reinsurance arrangements are well understood and to meet the desired objectives, providing confidence in decision making and execution. She holds a B.S. in Actuarial Science from the University of Central Florida and resides in Orlando, Florida. Tiffany is also the Director for Hannover Re’s Actuarial Development Program and serves on the SOA Reinsurance Section Council.

Margaret Campbell,

Senior Manager, Policy, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA)

The CLHIA is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization that represents 99 per cent of Canada’s life and health insurance companies. Margaret works on a range of policy issues impacting life and health insurers including: climate change and sustainability, infrastructure investing, and data privacy. She is also the staff lead for the CLHIA’s COVID-19 Return to Office Planning Group and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Information Network.

Margaret holds a Bachelor of Journalism, High Honours from Carleton University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto, and a Certificate in Project Management from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

Planning for the Workplace of the Future: Trends for the return to office

This session will provide a brief overview of trends observed in the life and health insurance industry related to virtual work and the return to office followed by a roundtable discussion with attendees on flexible/hybrid workplace policies, employee wellness and corporate culture.

For any questions regarding the conference, please contact Kelly Priest at Kelly.Priest@taire.com.