Meet the actuaries

Genevieve Lussier

FCIA, FSA
Consultant
Sibson Consulting

Growing up, mathematics was Genevieve Lussier's favorite subject, and she always knew she wanted a career that involved numbers and problem solving. During high school, a simple search helped her find a career that coupled her love for numbers with her passion for strategizing: the actuarial field. Of her initial attraction to a career as an actuary, Genevieve said, "I was attracted by the fact that it was uncommon and provided me with a constant challenge."

Currently, Genevieve works as a pension consultant at Sibson Consulting. "My role involves a wide range of activities from problem solving and reviewing calculations to communication and presenting results to clients," she explained.

Looking back on her past professional experiences, Genevieve says there have been many highlights. Most recently, she had the opportunity to start up the Montreal office for her current employer, which she considers to be one of her most exciting opportunities. And, her most rewarding experience? According to her, it was attaining her FSA. "This was a big accomplishment for me. You need to find the balance between progressing in your career and studying while continuing to have fun. When I passed my final exam, I felt that I could do anything!"

While Genevieve has her FCIA and FSA, she recognizes the importance of continued development. "Continuing your professional development after you complete your fellowship is a constant challenge," she said. “The regulations are changing constantly, the environment is evolving and you need to stay on the top of everything. I cannot stress enough the importance of continuing to developing yourself."

Genevieve was one of the first graduates from the Université du Québec à Montréal’s (UQAM) actuarial science program. During her time at UQAM, her favorite course was the actuarial mathematics, which was taught by a professor who was a pension consultant. "We had to complete case studies which reflected the day to day activities of an actuarial analyst," said Genevieve. "It was great to learn the complexity behind the calculations and then to apply it in a more concrete situation. By being put in a real life role it gave me a better understanding of how to relate my knowledge in a business environment."

When asked if she had any advice for aspiring actuaries, she offered, "If you work hard you can have great levels of success in this profession. Stick with it because the actuarial role is one that will have much more prominence with our aging population."