What Caused Howard Lyons to Give Up his Fencing Career to Become an Actuary?

Summary: In this episode of the Six Degrees of Portage and Main Podcast, host Fred Rutman sits down with former Sweetwood Bay Resident Howard Lyons, now a prominent actuary and partner at Aon. Howard delves into his Winnipeg roots, sharing nostalgic tales of shoveling snow and "fence walking" with neighborhood friends, including a legend about The Guess Who practicing in a neighbor's basement. The conversation transitions smoothly into Howard’s professional life, including his role in client management and the evolving field of actuarial science. He highlights the significance of in-person interactions for developing essential presentation skills, which are crucial across all industries. Howard also discusses the impact of AI on various professions, noting that while AI tools are being invested in to improve efficiency at his firm, the human element remains irreplaceable. Both Fred and Howard express cautious optimism regarding AI, recognizing its advantages while being wary of potential misuse. The episode also touches on Howard’s teaching role at the University of Toronto and offers advice to aspiring actuaries about the realities of the job market and the skills required to succeed. The discussion culminates in a light-hearted note with an actuarial joke, showcasing Howard’s personable nature and humor. https://get.castmagic.io/TheDeadManWalkingPodcast To contact Fred, repeatedly.dead.fred@gmail.com To contact PR, myles@hiltz2.com To find Fred’s memoir, https://bit.ly/3mwDpit To contact Howard Lyons, hit him up on LinkedIn. Alternative titles: 1. Navigating Risk and Reward: Howard Lyons on Actuarial Science and AI 2. From Fence Walking to AI Integration: Howard Lyons' Life Journey 3. The Human Touch in a Digital Age: Howard Lyons' Insights 4. From Fence Walker to Super Actuary - Howard Lyons’ Winnipeg Memories and Modern Actuarial Science Questions I Wish I'd Asked: 1. What specific AI tools are currently being utilized in your firm, and how have they improved internal processes? 2. How do you see the role of an actuary evolving over the next decade with the increasing integration of data analytics? 3. Can you share a memorable anecdote from your time teaching at the University of Toronto that has impacted your approach to education? Lessons Learned/Takeaways: 1. Presentation skills and clear communication are vital in any profession, and in-person interactions can significantly enhance these abilities. 2. While AI offers many benefits in terms of efficiency, the need for human perspective and interpretation remains crucial. 3. Choosing a career as an actuary can be highly rewarding, offering flexibility and job satisfaction, although it requires dedication to ongoing education and professional development. #RepeatedlyDeadFred #SixDegreesOfPortageAndMain #IntermittentFasting #DelayDon’tDeny #FastFeastRepeat #IntermittentFastingStories #TheSummerIDiedTwentyTimes #TheDeadManWalkingPodcast #ActuarialScience #AIIntegration #ClientManagement #UniversityOfToronto #RiskCapital #HumanCapital #WinnipegMemories #ProfessionalDevelopment #PublicSpeaking #GardenCity #DataAnalytics #InvestmentStrategies #AIInActuarialWork #ChildhoodStories #TheGuessWho #ActuarialExams #LongDistanceCycling #MathInspiration #CollaborativeWork 00:00 - Introduction to Howard Lyons 02:15 - Presentation skills and in-person interactions 05:35 - Childhood memories in Winnipeg 10:40 - The "Fence Walkers" and local legends 15:50 - Teaching actuarial science at the University of Toronto 19:30 - The evolution of the actuarial field 22:00 - The role of AI in actuarial work 26:45 - Client management and building relationships 30:10 - Professional development and learning opportunities 33:50 - A joke about actuaries and stereotypes 37:20 - Closing thoughts and cautious optimism about AI