Episode 21: Actuaries in Social Impact with Kirsten Armstrong
“I would say have the courage to do the thing you’re passionate about, and if that involves making a change, or doing something a little bit extra at your current work, I would say just go for it and do it.”
Kirsten Armstrong,
Experienced Actuarial Leader
Kirsten is an experienced non-executive director and strategic adviser with a 25-year career in health, disability, social insurance and international development.
She currently leads Social Ventures Australia’s social impact bond work, supporting governments, social-purpose organisations and impact investors to create high impact projects that generate evidence and change the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable.
In previous roles, Kirsten has helped governments introduce and reform their insurance systems, such as workers compensation in Russia, private health insurance in Hong Kong, motor insurance in Mongolia and retirement incomes systems in countries of the former Soviet Union. In Australia, Kirsten focussed on health system funding and reform as a Partner at PwC and a Principal at Taylor Fry.
She was recognised as one of the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence for her work as an Executive Director at The Fred Hollows Foundation to bring impact investors to help end blindness in low income countries.
Kirsten is a non-executive Director of icare NSW, disability service provider Northcott, and Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation WIRES.
In this interview Kirsten shares her reflections about:
How she’s carved an actuarial career that connects with her purpose,
Building insurance schemes and restoring vision in developing countries,
Quantifying the financial benefits of social initiatives on a documentary,
What she thinks needs to be done to tackle wicked problems in public health, climate change and homelessness, and
Her tips for actuaries wanting to work in social impact.
