Rising Star: Christine Lee
Christine Lee is an accomplished actuary with more than 15 years of global experience in the re/insurance industry, specialising in pricing, structuring, financial strategy and transaction execution.
As vice president at Fortitude Re, she leads complex pricing strategies for life and annuity mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and reinsurance solutions across major global markets.
Prior to joining Fortitude Re, Lee held various senior pricing roles at RGA, Munich Re and New York Life and spent several years with Manulife in Japan and Hong Kong. She holds a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.
Can you start by telling us what inspired your career?
Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work across different countries, where I gained exposure to how organisations operate and navigate uncertainty in diverse environments. Those experiences opened my eyes to how differently risk is perceived and managed across industries and cultures. I realised that while risk itself is a universal concept, solutions are never one-size-fits-all. They need to reflect the unique circumstances, market dynamics and regulatory frameworks of each business environment.
This sparked my passion for designing bespoke, analytical strategies to address business challenges. I remain inspired by the balance between analytics, business acumen and strategic judgment in decision-making.
What elements of your career do you enjoy most and why?
I love turning intricate challenges into practical, actionable solutions. My role is highly transactional; I propose solutions that balance risk and return for both clients and my organisation while ensuring diligence and accountability in underwriting exposures. Each transaction presents a new scenario, which keeps my work exciting and intellectually stimulating.
I truly enjoy the collaborative nature of my work. Success rarely happens in isolation. Working with different teams has deepened my appreciation of how interconnected every part of an organisation is.
I love the dynamic pace of the industry. The continual transformation of the insurance landscape means I’m always learning and adapting. Being an actuary keeps me sharp, curious and inspired to grow both professionally and personally.
Can you share an example of a challenge you overcame that significantly shaped your career trajectory?
After spending more than a decade in pricing, I realised I wanted to expand beyond the traditional actuarial focus; I wanted a broader understanding of how actuarial insights influence business strategies.
Stepping out of my analytical comfort zone wasn’t easy. It required a different mindset, stronger communication skills and the ability to balance technical depth with commercial judgment. But the experience was transformative. By gaining a holistic view of how various functions work together, I learned to think more strategically and offer recommendations that were both analytical and commercially viable.
This experience deepened my appreciation for cross-functional collaboration. It taught me that technical expertise is powerful, but when paired with strategic awareness and empathy for different business needs, the outcome becomes truly impactful. That mindset guides me in every leadership opportunity I take on.
What are your career ambitions, and how will you work to achieve them?
My ambition is to be a leader who inspires confidence through action, empathy and integrity. Early in my career, I built a strong technical foundation that allows me to understand complex concepts and communicate them clearly to diverse stakeholders. As I progress into leadership roles, I want to use those skills to empower others and create an environment where people feel supported to grow.
I’ve been fortunate to have many supportive sponsors who guided me throughout my career. Their belief in me has been invaluable, and I aim to pay that forward. I believe leadership is about helping colleagues recognise opportunities, encouraging initiative and supporting them when challenges arise.
How do you stay motivated and continue to learn in such a dynamic sector?
The secret behind my lasting motivation is my family. My two children, Alyssa and Brayden, remind me every day that life is a continuous journey of learning. Watching how quickly children absorb new things inspires me to maintain that same curiosity in my professional life.
Working in insurance means there’s always something new to discover, such as emerging risks, evolving technologies and shifting economic conditions; that’s exciting. I stay connected with peers and friends in the industry because I enjoy exchanging ideas and learning from others’ experiences.
For me, continuous learning isn’t just about keeping up. It’s about staying engaged, inspired and passionate about what I do. When you approach your career with curiosity and purpose, motivation comes naturally.
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