Chandu Patel: Saying “Yes” and Showing Up

Chandu and Hima Patel enjoying Chiang Mai, Thailand.

handrakant (Chandu) C. Patel, FCAS, MAAA, is a name synonymous with dedication, leadership, and innovation in P&C actuarial practice. With more than three decades as both a practitioner and a volunteer leader, Patel has quietly shaped how actuaries understand and perform reserving — one of the most crucial and complex activities in insurance. His long‑standing service with the CAS has not only advanced the profession’s technical capabilities but has also fostered opportunities for others to grow in their careers and contribute meaningfully to actuarial research.

Patel’s journey with the CAS began shortly after he achieved Fellowship in 1994. Fueled by a desire to contribute back to the profession that had nurtured his own development, he raised his hand to grade and set exam questions — an early and essential form of service that impacts every new Fellow who follows. From there, he expanded his volunteer footprint into continuing education and research, joining the Casualty Loss Reserve Seminar (CLRS) Working Group and the Reserves Working Group. Over time, these early roles grew into significant leadership responsibilities that now influence the CAS’s research agenda and member development offerings.

Today, Patel serves as chair of the CAS Reserves Research Working Group, vice chair of the CLRS, and as a member of the CAS Discipline Committee. In these capacities, he performs a remarkable balancing act between guiding high‑impact research, planning large‑scale professional seminars, and upholding the integrity and accountability of the profession.

At the heart of Patel’s volunteer contributions is his leadership of the Reserves Working Group. Under his guidance, this group serves as a beacon for practical, innovative, and timely reserving research for the CAS membership. The working group’s mission is to identify pressing issues in reserving, sponsor research on those issues, and shepherd high‑quality work through to publication — all in ways that maximize relevance for working actuaries.

In recent years, the Reserves Research Working Group has produced an impressive body of research papers offering practical insights on applying emerging technologies and methodologies to reserving challenges. These papers help actuaries stay current with advances in data science, predictive methods, and real‑world practice needs. Many of these published studies are showcased at professional meetings such as the CLRS, ensuring that research findings translate directly into tools actuaries can apply in their daily work.

The group’s call paper programs have created an accessible pathway for analysts, academics, and seasoned practitioners alike to publish on topics of evolving importance. This structure not only expands the body of reserving literature, it nurtures new research talent — something that Patel deeply values as part of his volunteer mission.

Looking ahead, Patel and his colleagues are preparing an ambitious paid research proposal to develop an AI‑assisted reserving tool. The goal is to help reserving actuaries at every stage of the process, from selecting methodologies to conducting peer reviews and strengthening documentation. In addition, the working group is planning an exciting 2026 Call for Papers focused on evolving technology for data handling, manipulation, and application to new reserving methodologies.

For Patel, the goal of all this work is straightforward: to keep members abreast of the latest developments and provide them with tools that make them more successful in their jobs. His leadership reflects a belief that research should be both rigorous and practical, serving the profession as a whole.

Beyond research, Patel plays a key role in organizing one of the CAS’s most respected professional education events: the CLRS. As vice chair, he collaborates with fellow volunteers to brainstorm seminar topics, recruit expert speakers, and design an agenda that reflects the evolving needs of reserving actuaries.

CLRS consistently draws hundreds of professionals eager to deepen their technical skills and stay current with industry trends. Through his work, Patel helps ensure that the CLRS remains relevant, forward‑thinking, and deeply connected to the day‑to‑day practices of reserving actuaries.

Patel’s commitment to the actuarial profession extends beyond CAS volunteer roles. He has over 38 years of experience in P&C reserving and financial reporting, including senior actuarial roles with prominent insurers. This professional foundation gives him a deep perspective to draw from when guiding research initiatives or shaping seminar content.

Along the way, he has earned recognition for his contributions. Notably, in 1998 he received the CAS Reserves Prize for the best reserve paper, an early professional honor that foreshadowed his wider impact on the field. He has also contributed to the profession through editorial work, including involvement with a book on catastrophe management.

Reflecting on what he is most proud of, Patel points to the relationships he has built through volunteer service — especially the note of appreciation from a seasoned member who told him he was the best working group chair with whom he had worked. For Patel, that recognition meant more than awards; it affirmed that how a volunteer leads matters just as much as what gets accomplished.

Throughout his volunteer journey, Patel has been motivated by a desire to give back. “The CAS has provided me with a tremendous opportunity to educate myself and to further my career more than I had ever hoped,” he reflects. “I volunteer to give back and to provide the same opportunities to others.”

Patel’s volunteer journey is a masterclass in service, leadership, and generosity of spirit. From exam grading rooms to research committees, from seminar-planning sessions to discipline oversight panels, he has given his time and expertise to make the CAS stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the future.

Patel’s dedication to his craft is matched by his love for life beyond work. He and his wife share a passion for travel and adventure, recently exploring Vietnam and Thailand.

As the CAS continues to evolve in an era of emerging technology, data transformation, and shifting industry dynamics, volunteers like Patel provide the steady anchor of experience, vision, and commitment that the profession needs.

His story is an inspiring reminder that making things happen often starts with saying “yes” and showing up for the community we serve.