Melissa Huenefeldt, VP, Professional Education

hen Melissa Huenefeldt attended the CAS’s Course on Professionalism before earning her ACAS, she couldn’t have known she was taking the first step on a volunteer journey that would eventually lead her to become vice president of Professional Education.

During a lunch break, one of the course facilitators explained that the CAS is truly a volunteer-led organization and encouraged her to get involved. Huenefeldt remembers making a promise that day: “As soon as I earn my ACAS, I’m going to volunteer.”

She kept that promise. Today, Huenefeldt provides strategic leadership for one of the Society’s most far-reaching activities, overseeing professional education programs that support members throughout every stage of their careers. Her path reflects not only a deep commitment to the profession but also the tremendous impact dedicated volunteers have on the CAS and its members.

As vice president of Professional Education, Huenefeldt works with the Professional Education Council and its working groups to ensure members have access to relevant, high-quality educational opportunities long after they complete their credentialing exams. Her responsibilities include supporting continuing education initiatives, overseeing professionalism education, collaborating with volunteer leaders, and helping guide policies related to lifelong professional development.

“My goal is to ensure that CAS members have meaningful educational opportunities at every stage of their careers,” she says. “I want professional education to be relevant, engaging, and practical while maintaining the high standards our profession is known for.”

That mission reflects how the actuarial profession continues to evolve. Today’s actuaries are expected not only to provide technical expertise but also to lead teams, communicate effectively, navigate ethical challenges, and influence strategic business decisions. Professional education is evolving alongside those expectations.

One initiative Huenefeldt is particularly excited about is expanding leadership education. As more CAS members move into executive leadership, C-suite, and board positions, educational offerings are growing to help prepare actuaries for those opportunities.

The Professional Education Council is also emphasizing the importance of continuing education attestation. As a self-regulated profession, publicly affirming compliance with continuing education requirements helps maintain public trust, and the council is working with the Member Engagement team to develop educational campaigns that reinforce that message.

Another priority is keeping the Course on Professionalism fresh and relevant. Because that course launched Huenefeldt’s own volunteer journey, she is especially excited to see the curriculum evolving to remain engaging and meaningful for future generations of actuaries.

Although much of the council’s work happens behind the scenes, its impact reaches members throughout their careers — from the Course on Professionalism to continuing education and the CAS’s major educational events, including the RPM Seminar, Spring Meeting, Reinsurance Seminar, CLRS, and Annual Meeting.

When asked what makes her most proud, Huenefeldt doesn’t point to a specific initiative. She points to the volunteers.

“Our volunteers bring incredible expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication,” she says. Watching them collaborate, mentor one another, and create meaningful educational experiences continually reminds her of what makes the CAS unique.

She especially enjoys watching volunteers grow into leaders. Seeing members join a working group, take on increasing responsibility, and eventually lead initiatives themselves reinforces the strength of the CAS volunteer community and gives her confidence in the Society’s future.

That appreciation comes from personal experience. After earning her ACAS designation, Huenefeldt joined the Professionalism Education Working Group in 2014, then known as the Committee on Professionalism Education (COPE). Over the years, she served as Course Content Subgroup lead, Course on Professionalism vice chair, Professional Education chair, and eventually vice president of Professional Education.

“Working with Melissa is great,” says Nora Potter, CAS director of Professional Education. “I always come out of discussions with her feeling as though they are productive and gaining greater insight into the profession.”

Along the way, volunteering became much more than an opportunity to give back. “It gave me the opportunity to work alongside incredibly talented actuaries, build lasting professional relationships, develop leadership skills, and help shape an important milestone in candidates’ actuarial journeys,” she says.

Professionalism and education have always been passions for Huenefeldt. While technical expertise remains essential, she believes successful actuaries also need strong communication, leadership, and professional judgment. Leading Professional Education allows her to help members build those skills.

That broader approach mirrors the profession itself. As actuaries increasingly serve as strategic advisors and business leaders, continuing education has expanded beyond technical topics to prepare members for a wider range of responsibilities.

Huenefeldt’s own career path wasn’t traditional. She originally planned to become a secondary mathematics teacher before deciding education wasn’t the right fit. She instead earned degrees in mathematics and psychology before pursuing a master’s degree in applied mathematics.

While in graduate school, she landed her first actuarial position before taking her first actuarial exam. One story from that time has become a favorite. She defended her master’s thesis and took Exam FM on the very same day. She passed the thesis. Passing the exam would have to wait until the second attempt.

Professionally, she began in personal lines pricing for a regional insurer before spending 13 years with a global insurance brokerage, where she eventually led a team of analysts. Five years ago, she joined Milliman as a consulting actuary, where she enjoys solving a wide variety of client challenges across multiple industries.

For members interested in volunteer leadership, Huenefeldt offers this advice: “Don’t focus on the title; focus on contributing.” Volunteer for work that genuinely interests you, follow through on your commitments, and be someone others enjoy working with. Leadership opportunities, she says, tend to follow naturally.

Outside of work, Huenefeldt is an accomplished marathon runner. She recently completed her 31st marathon in her 22nd state as she and her sister work toward running a marathon in all 50 states. She sees striking similarities between marathon training and the actuarial profession: neither is about overnight success. Both require persistence, determination, and the willingness to keep moving forward one step at a time.

Those same qualities have defined Huenefeldt’s volunteer journey. She has shown how sustained volunteer service can shape both an individual’s career and the future of the profession. As the needs of CAS members continue to evolve, Huenefeldt and the volunteers she leads are helping ensure that Professional Education grows and evolves with them.