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MASSA Podcast

MASSA Concordia 38 Episodes Apr 30, 2026

The MASSA Podcast shares educational, inspiring and useful content made for Concordia students in the Math and Stats department. Featuring a wide variety of knowledgeable guest speakers such as alumni, teachers and professionals from different industries, the MASSA Podcast will cover subjects from interview skills to career paths to managing stress. You will definitely learn from our guest speakers' advice for success.

Episodes

Interviewing Alumni: Amine Ben Arous Apr 30, 2026 00:45:46 Mastering the recruiting process is no piece of cake! In this episode our guest Amine Ben Arous, former MASSA president and now Senior Actuarial Associate at Sunlife, dives into the various ways to leave an impression on recruiters and how to make opportunities count. From networking events all the way to the interview listen in to pickup tips and tricks that go a long way in your search for inter

AI in the Actuarial Field: Innovation Meets Risk, featuring Jason Machtinger Mar 30, 2026 00:36:29 In this episode of our podcast, we cover the variousimplementations and risks associated to the adoption of AI in the Actuarial field. With over 30 years experience as an Actuary, our guest Jason Machtinger, current Senior VP at AON Reinsurance Solutions and Board Member of the CAS, shares with us his insights and perspective on the role of AI in the Actuarial domain. Ranging from functions all th

Mastering the art of learning by Joana Amorim Mar 24, 2026 00:44:18 Learning deeply is not piece of cake. Our special guest in this episode Joana Amorim, Mathematics PHD and current COO of Actex, brings us all the essential tips and tricks to master the art of learning. Taking a philosophical route all the while being humorous and unique, Joana dives into the topic covering every aspect there is to this discussion. Come for the advice and stay for the vibes!

Actuaries in the legal system with Philippe Ranellucci Mar 3, 2026 00:32:18 Welcome to another episode of the MASSA podcast. In this episode we got the honour of interviewing Philippe Ranellucci, FICA, FSA. Our guest allows us to get insight through his actuarial path and breaks down the responsibilities actuaries may have in the legal system. Stick around and you can even learn about a recent case Philippe had the chance to work on.

Episode 34 : Meet the 25-26 Team Oct 5, 2025 00:39:23 Programs within the math department are no joke! In this episode you'll get the chance to hear from MASSA's 25-26 team as we share insights, some tips, and tricks that have helped us along our academic journeys. Sit back, relax, and take in the advice that you can help you achieve your academic/career goals!

Interviewing Alumni: Mentors, Mentees, and Mengding Tian Nov 16, 2024 00:18:57 Looking for someone to lead the way? On our first podcast back, get ready to carefully reconsider some of your most important relationships, because a proper mentor is closer than you think. Coaches, teachers, managers, and even possibly the local gas station clerk… finding the right mentor could be challenging. However, on this episode of our interviewing alumni series, our guest speaker, Mengdin

Behind the Scenes of Health and Life Insurance Jan 21, 2024 00:45:07 Welcome to another exciting episode of the MASSA Podcast, where we delve into the fascinating journeys of remarkable people. In this episode, join us on a journey with Matthew Di Nicolantonio, FSA, FCIA, CERA, an accomplished actuary working in the dynamic world of life insurance. Matthew shares his experiences, beginning with his time at Concordia University, where he embraced a plethora of extr

Numbers, Notes and Sports Oct 9, 2023 00:29:05 Numbers, Notes and Sports. We're back with another interesting episode . Today we delve into the fascinating journey of Florence Houde-Gelinas, a remarkable student at Concordia University with a passion for numbers and music! Discover how she strikes the perfect chord between her studies in actuarial science and her love for creating melodious tunes. In this episode, we unravel the harmony b

The Big Picture of AI and Insurance Apr 10, 2023 00:21:08 Ever wondered how artificial intelligence and insurance coincide? Today’s guest is Tony Yuan, a talented actuary who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. Tony is not only an accomplished actuary but also a visionary technologist with a passion for exploring the limitless possibilities that AI brings us. He brings a unique perspective to the table, having studied the impact

Interviewing a Seasoned Actuary : Jill Harper from Moody’s Analytics Mar 15, 2023 00:18:41 Curious about what led Jill Harper to a career in the Actuarial Software field ?    Join us in this episode as she shares her experience studying Mathematics & Biology and her journey towards becoming a programmer for actuarial software and an actuary. As she elaborates on her current role as a Programming leader and actuary at Moody’s Analytics, gain insights on what she enjoys and

Writing a PhD in Actuarial Mathematics Jan 5, 2023 00:34:59 Want to know more about higher education in Actuarial Mathematics? In this episode, we invite Sebastien Jessup to walk us through his journey from the moment he learned about the actuarial profession and decided to study actuarial mathematics as an undergraduate student, to now being a PhD candidate in that same field. Sébastien discusses his experience on both the academic side and the corporate

Analysis and Engineering of Big Data Oct 1, 2022 00:33:51 Ever wondered the difference between Pure Mathematics and Pure & Applied Mathematics? In this episode, our guest speaker Sara Silva walks us through her career path studying mathematics during her undergraduate degree and Big Data analytics during her masters. Currently working at an insurance firm in Portugal, Sara discusses what it was like to take on a masters and writing a thesis during th

Double Majoring in Psychology and Pure & Applied Mathematics Sep 7, 2022 00:39:04 Welcome listeners to our first episode of the 2022 fall semester! We are happy to welcome Myriam Boucher-Pinard onto the show to talk about her academic background at Concordia University. Students might know Myriam from her time at the Student Success Center as a tutor. Others might recognize her as an active user on the Concordia Math discord where she answers questions regarding class material

Statistical Research in Insurance Jun 11, 2022 00:35:00 Debating whether to pursue a career in academia or in the industry? In this episode, Dr. Yang Lu covers some core topics of his research in insurance and finance such as the broken-heart syndrome, goes over how a researcher gathers ideas and funding to write papers, and discusses the freedom professors have in choosing their research interests. Moreover, he dives deeper into specific papers, share

Interviewing Alumni : Starting a Firm with Carmen Racy '92 Jun 4, 2022 00:30:34 Ever dreamed of starting your own firm? After occupying many roles over the years in the investment and actuarial industry, Carmen Racy launched her own currency risk advisory firm. In this episode, she explains what her day-to-day consists of, how her actuarial experience assisted her in starting a business, and what she got out of obtaining an MBA. Along the way, she demystifies some of the fina

Interviewing Alumni : Climate Change, Sustainability, and What We Can Do About It with André Choquet '89 May 14, 2022 00:36:22 “Are we moving fast enough for that? No.” (24:26) In this episode, our guest speaker André Choquet, current Chair of the Climate Change and Sustainability committee of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA), details his journey in the actuarial and investment industries and explains how it led him to make responsible investing his mission. He goes on to explain his views that whether to making

Career Paths : Teaching Mathematics Jan 15, 2022 00:26:02 Considering teaching mathematics in high school or in CEGEP? In this episode, listen to Mr. Steve Jackson, who has been teaching mathematics in high schools for more than 30 years. Learn about the ups and downs of a career in teaching, the interaction of teachers with the school environment, and what distinguishes a teacher from a tutor. Obtain advice for future teachers and for studying during un

We're Back! Last Year's Recap Nov 13, 2021 00:29:02 Missed anything of last season? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Welcome back fellow listeners to this second season of the MASSA Podcast! To kick it off, we have prepared a special recap episode, highlighting some of the most interesting points made by our guest speakers in the past season. Previous episodes are available on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, and on our website https://www.massacon

Risk Measures and Dependence Models May 8, 2021 00:30:06 Want to learn more about risk measures and dependence models? In this episode, our guest speaker Dr. Melina Mailhot, associate professor at Concordia University, explains why risk measures are useful and how they are used in actuarial modeling. She then elaborates on dependence models and how they relate to risk measures in statistical modeling. To conclude the episode, Dr. Mailhot introduces us t

Interviewing Alumni : Being an Intrapreneur with Joe Kordovi '92 Apr 17, 2021 00:32:34 Curious about what it means to be an intrapreneur?   In this episode, our guest speaker Joe Kordovi, Assistant Vice-President of Innovations at Pacific Life, walks us through his time at Concordia and shares interesting anecdotes about how the student life in Actuarial Mathematics used to be. He describes how he led an actuarial team at the age of 25 and explains why he decided to move to Cal

Complexity Theory and the Millennium Problem P vs NP Apr 3, 2021 00:33:31 Ever wondered what is the best way a mathematician can make a million dollars?    In this episode, we invite Denis Pankratov to the show to talk about his research interests. He is an assistant professor from the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering of Concordia University. Indulge yourself with professor Pankratov’s clear explanations of complexity theory and algorith

Interviewing Alumni : Reinsurance with Lisa Hebert-Losier '05 Mar 20, 2021 00:29:19 Interested in reinsurance or the U.S. insurance industry? In this episode, listen to Lisa Hebert-Losier as she walks us through her time at Concordia as an actuarial mathematics student, her experience as a health pricing actuary in the U.S. and introduces us to the reinsurance side of the business. Learn about how she adapted to the Canadian industry after 14 years of experience in the U.S. and t

Statistical Methods and Biostatistics Mar 6, 2021 00:35:16 Curious about what research in Statistics and Biostatistics entails? In this episode, our guest speaker is Professor Michal Abrahamowicz, from the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health of McGill University. To this day, he has published more than 300 papers which makes him a very knowledgeable person in the field. Listen to our guest speaker talk about some issues arisi

Mathematics of Data Science and Deep Learning Feb 6, 2021 00:32:23 Want to know what linear algebra, signal compression, machine learning and MRI have in common? In this episode, our guest speaker Professor Simone Brugiapaglia introduces the mathematics of data science. In particular, he discusses two major branches of the field, namely sparse recovery and compressed sensing, which are inherent in his research. He elaborates on applications of sparse recovery, on

Becoming an Actuary: Exams and Setting Yourself Apart Jan 30, 2021 00:28:20 Wondering how you can finish your actuarial exams while still balancing extracurriculars, social life and studying? In this episode, our guest speaker Riley Dirks goes in-depth on how he successfully completed all his actuarial exams before graduating from the University of Manitoba. Now that he is an Associate Actuary at Munich Re, he discusses the advantages and disadvantages of finishing his fe

Interviewing Alumni : Consulting - Health and Benefits with Julie Duchesne '96 Jan 25, 2021 00:20:59 Want to know more about Consulting and Julie Duchesne? Welcome to another episode in our Interviewing Alumni Series where we interview former students, ask them about their respective fields and learn from their experiences throughout their career paths.   In this episode, indulge yourself with the story of Julie Duchesne, a woman who has dedicated more than 20 years into consulting in Health

Interviewing Alumni : Investment Field with François Bourdon '94 Jan 16, 2021 00:25:17 Curious about what led actuarial alumnus François Bourdon to a career in the investment field? Welcome to another episode in our Interviewing Alumni Series where we interview former students, ask them about their respective fields and learn from their experiences throughout their career paths. In this episode, listen to François Bourdon discuss his experience studying Actuarial Mathematics at Conc

How to Prepare for Interviews Jan 12, 2021 00:30:19 Want to learn how you can ace your interviews? In this episode, our guest speaker Maryam Goharinejad shares with us her tips on how to prepare for interviews. As Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at Sun Life, Maryam walks us through the steps of an interview and gives meaningful advice on first impressions, improving your CV and networking. She also elaborates on how to be a memorable candidate

Interviewing Alumni : Financial Engineering with Sabrina Fernandes '19 Jan 2, 2021 00:23:42 Curious about what financial engineering/modeling is? Listen to our Interviewing Alumni Series where we interview former students, ask them about their respective fields and learn from their experiences throughout their career paths. In this episode, learn about Sabrina Fernandes’ path as she walks us through her time at Concordia as a MACF student, how her different internships affected her path

Interviewing Alumni : Computer Science with Jesse Racicot '18, Pure and Applied Mathematics Dec 5, 2020 00:24:32 Welcome fellow listeners to our very first thought-provoking episode of the Interviewing Alumni Series!  In this series, we interview former students, ask them about their respective fields and learn from their experiences throughout their career paths.   In this episode, we welcome Jesse Racicot to the show and discuss his time studying Pure and Applied Mathematics at Concordia Uni

How to Manage Your Stress and Stay Organized during Finals Nov 28, 2020 00:30:20 Wondering how you can reduce your stress and be more organized for your upcoming final exams?   In this episode, listen to Amine Ben Arous (MASSA President) and Mengding Tian (MASSA VP External) discuss how students can minimize their stress level in the weeks leading up to their final exams as well as during the final exam period. They share some examples of ways to reduce stress such as phy

Career Paths : Mathematics and Statistics Nov 21, 2020 00:20:33 Wondering what you can do with a major in Math and Stat? Discover our Career Paths Series tailored to each Math and Stat program. In this episode, listen to Professor Debaraj Sen talk about the Math and Stat program at Concordia University. Find out more about career opportunities for Math and Stat students in different areas such as business analytics, scientific research, and data statistics. Le

Career Paths : Graduate Studies Nov 14, 2020 00:31:53 Wondering what Graduate Studies in the Math and Stat department looks like at Concordia? In this episode, listen to Professor Galia Dafni talk about Graduate Studies in the Math and Stat department at Concordia and the various options available to students who wish to pursue higher education. Find out more about how to make this choice and the best way to apply for graduate studies. Learn more abo

Career Paths : Actuarial Q&A Nov 7, 2020 00:23:06 Want answers to your questions related to Actuarial Mathematics? In this episode, listen to guest speaker Professor Jose Garrido's answers to frequently asked questions from actuarial students. Find more answers about how many  actuarial exams to take during university, the importance of finishing fellowship, exam exemptions, how many internships to take and more. Our guest speaker also share

Career Paths : Statistics Oct 31, 2020 00:27:00 Wondering what you can do with a degree in Statistics?   Discover our Career Paths Series tailored to each Math and Stat program. In this episode, listen to Professor Lea Popovic talk about the Statistics program at Concordia University. Learn about many career opportunities in different fields such as the medical field, the technological field, the financial field and more. Discover the vari

Career Paths : Mathematical and Computational Finance Oct 17, 2020 00:22:06 Wondering what you can do with a degree in Mathematical and Computational Finance? Discover our Career Paths Series tailored to each Math and Stat program. In this episode, listen to Professor Frédéric Godin talk about the Mathematical and Computational Finance program at Concordia University. Learn about the different career opportunities for MACF students, some internship examples, the bene

Career Paths : Pure and Applied Mathematics Oct 10, 2020 00:23:44 Wondering what you can do with a degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics? Discover our Career Paths Series tailored to each Math and Stat program. In this episode, listen to Professor Giovanni Rosso talk about the Pure and Applied Mathematics program at Concordia University and the diverse range of career paths it can lead to. Find out more about opportunities for students with a Bachelor's degree

Career Paths : Actuarial Mathematics Oct 2, 2020 00:34:21 Wondering what you can do with a degree in Actuarial Mathematics?  Discover our Career Paths Series tailored to each Math and Stat program. In this episode, listen to guest speaker Professor Jose Garrido talk about the Actuarial Mathematics program at Concordia University and the many career paths that it can lead to. Deepen your knowledge about various topics including the different fie

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