Member Spotlight: Shelley Zhao
Aug 19, 2025, 13:20
Shelley discovered the actuarial profession thanks to her “tiger mom” and built a career she loves with a math degree from Lewis & Clark College and a master’s in actuarial science from UT Austin.
Shelley discovered the actuarial profession thanks to her “tiger mom” and built a career she loves with a math degree from Lewis & Clark College and a master’s in actuarial science from UT Austin.
Along the way, Shelley has been inspired by mentors whose passion for client service and lifelong learning continues to influence her approach. She enjoys being part of the CCA, where stepping out of her comfort zone—networking, recruiting speakers, and engaging with the community—has been both challenging and rewarding.
Outside the actuarial world, Shelley is full of surprises. She plays pick-up volleyball, is working toward intermediate-level snowboarding skills, and even speaks French.
Her advice to aspiring actuaries? Be curious, don’t assume, and embrace challenges. According to Shelley, the right answer isn’t always the best answer—but the learning along the way makes the journey worthwhile.