FORTY under 40: Samantha Poulin
Samantha Poulin, associate actuary, Milliman.
Samantha Poulin is an associate actuary with Milliman’s Atlantic region property and casualty practice in its Boston office. She worked with Milliman as an actuarial intern in the first summer of college and returned each subsequent summer, then started full time in January 2020, immediately after graduation.
She supports the actuarial needs of captives through loss reserving, funding and feasibility studies. For her clients, she performs and oversees actuarial analyses, acting as project manager and main point of contact for many captive insurance companies.
How did you first become involved in captive insurance?
My path in was unique as I have a parent in the industry. From there, I became interested in the concept of captives as an alternative to traditional insurance. I liked the appeal of working with captive programmes as it often requires creative and different ways to fund risks. I started interning with Milliman and studying for the actuarial exams as soon as I could in college. Once I went full time, I learned more about captives through working directly with our clients and my colleagues. I decided to begin joining various committees and participating in industry initiatives to become as involved as possible and try and meet as many fresh faces as I could.
What are the greatest challenges of working in this industry, and what do you find most rewarding?
From an actuarial perspective, I think one of the greatest and most frequent can be when there is a constraint on the availability or quality of data for a captive. Though this can be an obstacle, it can also be part of the “fun”, as we are then challenged to think outside of the box a bit and consider what other data or information (i.e., relevant industry sources) we can rely on to help inform our selections. I always enjoy the process of finding the “road map” to our client’s situation, as each is unique and tailored to the individual.
I always enjoy the process of finding the “road map” to our client’s situation, as each is unique
I think one of the most rewarding parts about working in the industry is the feeling that you are helping a company find a solution to a problem they were facing. Whatever the reason for starting the captive, it was created to alleviate some sort of pain point/risk management issue, and I love knowing the work we are doing is a part of that solution.
Would you recommend the captive insurance industry to young people as a future career path?
Definitely. The captive industry is a great choice as not only is it growing, but it also offers so many different career paths and opportunities, so there is truly something for everyone. In my experience, the more established professionals have also been great mentors and role models who genuinely want to see young people succeed. It's been such a rewarding experience learning the nuances of captive insurance, and due to its growth and ever-changing landscape, also an exciting experience!
What developments do you see ahead for captives?
The captive industry is constantly evolving to meet the needs of various organisations. Over the next few years, I think we will inevitably continue to see growth into new markets as new risks emerge and organisations need more complex solutions. I look forward to seeing the creative ways the industry adapts to these challenges, and how organisations rely on advances such as AI to streamline processes. However things may change, I am excited to be a part of it.
Do you think your long-term future remains in the captives market?
Absolutely – I am just getting started! I love what I do and am excited to continue the journey. I also hope to continue my committee work and speaking at/attending conferences, as I love learning more about the industry as it evolves and meeting other professionals.
Click here to read Captive International’s third FORTY Under 40 2025 publication.
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