Episode 16: Midlife Career Pivots with Mark Barda
“What is the worst thing that could happen? And if that worst is not so bad, then what’s really so scary?”
Mark Barda,
Experienced Actuarial Leader
After 20+ years working as an actuary in life insurance for insurance companies and consulting, Mark relocated to Israel 12 years ago. Mark is the Senior Pricing Actuary for Israel and Medi at Swiss Re with responsibility for costing, writing and monitoring Swiss Re's book of reinsurance life and health contracts covering life, disability, critical illness, long term care and various other life and health risks as might cross his desk.
Mark's move to Israel came mid-career and presented a range of challenges, both personal (settling his then young family and learning a new language) and professional (establishing his credentials in a new country and dealing with a rather different market and corporate culture). In parallel, Mark embraced a new work/ life balance and enjoys (among other things) cooking, growing fruits, hiking, participation in his synagogue community and attempting to adapt 80s rock to classical/ acoustic guitar.
In this interview Mark shares his reflections about:
What he learned as from working as an actuarial consultant in Australia,
The personal and professional challenges he faced when he and his wife decided to move their family to Israel, and
Advice he has for mid-career actuaries feeling stuck but unsure how to find more fulfillment in their work.
