Past Employer Biographies
Fall 2026
Wakely - 10.06.2026
Josh Lange, ASA
Josh is an Associate Actuary in Wakely's Madison, WI office and joined in August 2024 after graduating from UW-Madison. He works primarily on the Wakely Analytics team, where he builds analytical platforms and reporting solutions for healthcare clients. He enjoys running and is training for his first Marathon.
Willow Diedrick
Willow is an Actuarial Analyst in Wakely’s Madison, WI office and joined in January 2026 after graduating from UW–Madison. She works across a variety of teams, including Medicare bids, Wakely Analytics, provider clients, and the analysis of dual-eligible populations. In her free time, she enjoys making sourdough and wake surfing.
Sam Cherney
Sam is an Actuarial Analyst in Wakely’s Madison, WI office and joined in August 2026 after graduating from UW–Madison. He is the newest member of the Madison office. Sam previously interned with Wakely in Spring 2025. During that time, he worked on multiple Medicare Advantage bid teams. Since starting, Sam has been involved in a variety of projects across Medicare Advantage, Wakely Analytics, and Medicaid. Outside of work, Sam is an avid golfer.
EY - 10.01.2026
Elizabeth Barske
Elizabeth graduated from UW-Madison in spring of 2023 and has worked out of the Chicago office since graduating.
Allianz - 09.24.2026
Katelyn Mamrick:
I graduated from UW-Madison in 2024 (Roll Badgers!). I've been in Product Development at Allianz Life for 2 years, plus an internship between my junior and senior year of college. Most of my previous projects revolve around pricing innovative crediting methods, features, and products for our Registered Index Linked Annuities and Fixed Index Annuities lines of business. During my time at Wisconsin, I was a part of the NCAA Division 1 rowing program. Now, I'm training for my first marathon. Outside of work and running, I am a massive sports fan. I especially love the Minnesota Lynx and Green Bay Packers.
Derek Schlitz:
I started working at Allianz Life in the Product Development department after graduating from UW-Madison in 2025. I interned with Allianz for two summers during college. Most of my projects focus on actuarial modeling, product analysis, and innovation opportunities for our annuity products. As a Badger, I was a member of the Wisconsin Track Club and the Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity (DSP). I've recently taken up a new hobby, triathlons, and enjoy staying active in Minnesota.
Spring 2026
Munich Re - 04.22.2026
Caleb Pierceall
Caleb graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Spring of 2024 and is an Actuarial Associate who will be joining the M&A Solutions team at Munich Re in May. He has previous experience as a part of the Chief Pricing Office at Munich Re and in the Trend Analytics Department at UnitedHealth Group. Caleb's favorite parts about living in New York City are the number of new restaurants to try and people to meet.
Miah Otto
Miah graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Spring 2024 and is an Actuarial Associate on the Individual Disability Income Production team within the Corporate Actuarial department. She interned at Munich Re in Summer 2023 and joined the company full-time in July 2024. One of Miah’s favorite parts of living in New York City is exploring its many neighborhoods, from Brooklyn to SoHo to Central Park, as well as discovering new restaurants, coffee shops, and shops throughout the city.
Leen Abdelkhaleg, FSA
Leen graduated from Purdue University in the Spring of 2021 and is a Manager & Actuary on the Alternative Solutions - US Longevity team at Munich Re. She joined Munich Re as a full-time employee in September 2021 and has experience on the Individual Life Valuation team and the Individual Life Pricing team. After attaining her FSA in September 2025, she picked up running as a hobby and her favorite part of living in NYC is the unlimited scenery and paths to run through, especially Central Park and along the waterfront.
Cigna - 04.16.2026
Nishani Patel
Nishani Patel graduated from UW Madison in 2023 with degrees in Actuarial Science, Risk Management & Insurance, and Marketing. She has been working full-time with The Cigna Group for the last three years. She currently works in Valuation within Cigna's Reinsurance team and previously worked on New Product Pricing for Medicare Supplement under Cigna's Supplemental Benefits team. Outside of work, Nishani enjoys traveling, watching football, and playing New York Times games.
Brett Schneider
Brett Schneider graduated from UW-Madison in 2024 with degrees in Actuarial Science and Risk Management & Insurance. He interned with Cigna in 2023 and has worked full-time with The Cigna Group for the last two years. He has spent his first rotation on Uniform Data Submission within the Consultant and Client Analytics team. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, game nights with friends, and Wisconsin sports.
PwC - 04.06.2026
Nate Jacoby
Sam Cayemberg
Jordan Bernhardt
Travelers - 03.25.2026
Jake Prasch
Jake graduated from UW-Madison in Fall 2021, majoring in Actuarial Science and Economics. He interned at Travelers twice before joining full-time in Spring 2022. He has held various pricing roles across Business and Personal insurance and achieved his FCAS in Spring 2025. Jake's hobbies include reading, staying active, and trying new restaurants.
Andrew Kegel
Andrew graduated from UW-Madison in Spring 2021, majoring in Actuarial Science, Finance, and Risk Management. He joined the ALDP and has held roles in pricing, reserving, and ceded reinsurance. He achieved his FCAS in 2025. In his free time, he enjoys working out, gaming, and hanging out with his cat Zoe.
Thrivent - 03.04.2026
Nick Paget
Nick Paget, ASA is a Staff Actuary, working at Thrivent just under 3 years since graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. He currently works on the Life pricing team and previously led the creation and monitoring of Health product assumptions.
Steve Sperka
A UW-Madison alum, Steve Sperka, FSA is the Vice President of Solution Design, Implementation, & Support. He’s worked at Thrivent since 2019 and spent the first 25+ years of his career at Northwestern Mutual. Steve has a wealth of actuarial knowledge, especially regarding Health products and interacting with the field. Beyond his high quality work, Steve is most known for his high energy, confident relationship building, and hands-on, engaging management style.
Northwestern Mutual - 02.26.2026
Ellie Mirsberger, ASA
Ellie graduated from UW Madison in May of 2023 and has been working at NM since graduation. She is currently studying for her final FSA exam and is working in a one-year rotation in Risk Experience and Analytics as a member of the Actuarial Leadership and Development Program (ALDP). Ellie loves reading, playing pickleball, spending time on the water, and exploring new restaurants in MKE.
Trevor Byrum
Trevor graduated from UW-Madison in 2021, after which he enrolled in the Actuarial Capstone Program. Upon completing the program in 2022, he began working at Northwestern Mutual. Trevor is a member of the Actuarial Leadership and Development Program (ALDP) and is currently working in a one-year rotation in the Field and Client Services department. In this role, he investigates casework and answers actuarial-related questions from financial representatives and clients. Trevor enjoys all things related to Wisconsin sports, staying active, and golfing with friends.
Elevance - 02.05.2026
Sam Coburn
Sam Coburn began working for Elevance Health as an intern in December 2021 and has been full-time since September 2022. He works as an Actuarial Analyst II in commercial pricing for the state of Maine’s individual, small group, and large group blocks. Sam graduated from the University of Illinois – Chicago in December 2016 and was in the Actuarial Capstone program at UW-Madison for the 2021-2022 school year. He is currently working on his final requirements for his ASA. In his free time, Sam enjoys swimming, running, and fostering dogs.
Parker Shilling
Parker Shilling began working at Elevance Health in May 2023 and is currently an Actuarial Analyst III supporting Medicaid pricing for Texas, Missouri, and Kansas. His work includes deep data analysis and close collaboration with cross functional teams to ensure rates are both accurate and sustainable. Parker graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a degree in Mathematics and Economics and began pursuing the actuarial path after college. He is currently working through the FSA exam track. Outside of work, Parker enjoys filming and producing short films.
Quynh Nguyen
Quynh Nguyen began working at Elevance Health in July 2025 as an Actuarial Analyst II supporting Medicaid Reporting for Louisiana. Prior to working for Elevance Health, she also worked in other health actuarial functions like Reserving, Trend Analytics, and Value Based Care Contracting. Her current work revolves around quarterly financial reporting to Louisiana Department of Health. She works closely with the finance and accounting team to compile the report to the state. Quynh graduated from UW-Madison in 2019. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with family and traveling.