Shaun Burger Smal is an open book

In this episode of Open Books, Pamela Hellig sits down with Shaun Burger Smal — qualified actuary and Acting Chief Investment Officer at the Road Accident Fund — for a candid conversation about failure, fellowship, fairy tales and the very human side of the Road Accident Fund.

Shuan shares his journey from roles in Big 4 consulting, Netcare, Momentum Health to public sector leadership, where he now oversees complex loss-of-earnings valuations that materially impact people’s lives. He reflects on the very serious responsibilities of his role, while maintaining an upbeat and positive attitude that infiltrates his work and the way he runs his team. This balance of care and passion is what helps him effectively explain technical concepts to boards and Parliament, and ensure that every valuation is both rigorous and ethical.

He also speaks openly about failing exams on his Fellowship journey and how those setbacks shaped his commitment to supporting students. Through exam counselling and mentorship, he helps actuarial and university students separate identity from results, strengthen exam technique, and build resilience after failure. His message is clear: growth happens long before the qualification certificate arrives.

And the golden thread woven through this heartfelt conversation is the collection of books that have shaped Shaun’s life and outlook: find out how Hermione Granger determined his career path, where actuaries and fairy tales intersect, and how dental floss can inspire creative storytelling.

00:00:00 - Introduction, Shaun
00:02:22 - Shaun's Role at the Road Accident Fund
00:09:10 - Books 1: Harry Potter Series
00:15:21 - Exam Counseling Approach
00:22:36 - Book 2: The Tales of Beedle the Bard
00:27:00 - Shaun's Transition from Private to Public Sector
00:30:29 - Book 3: Actuarial Fairy Tales
00:41:05 - Book 4: Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Managers Toolkit
00:46:10 - Shaun's Thoughts on Leadership and Teaching
00:46:54 - Book 5: Am I Overthinking This
00:50:01 - Shaun's Use of Creative Storytelling in Presentations
01:01:25 - Sean's Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Shuan’s Book Picks
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone – by J. K. Rowling
The Tales of Beedle the Bard – by J. K. Rowling
Actuarial Fairy Tales: Statistically Significant Stories – by John Lee
Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager's Toolkit – by Julia Lessing
Am I Overthinking This?: Over-Answering Life's Questions in 101 Charts by Michelle Rial

Connect with Shuan Burger Smal on these platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-burger-smal-55b28b24/

Insight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-actuaries-&-consultants/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insight_za/

Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

Видео Shaun Burger Smal is an open book канала Insight Health & Life Solutions