Ja’s Angelita Graham takes helm at Canadian Institute of Actuaries

The capacity of Jamaicans to claim positions of leadership while breaking barriers internationally has long been documented, so Angelita Graham, freshly minted president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) is in illustrious company.

The first woman of colour to head the influential organisation, Graham rose from a modest home in a close-knit community off Waltham Park Road in Kingston, to the pinnacle of global leadership in her field.

However, long before the boardrooms, global influence, and professional accolades, there was a childhood shaped by love, discipline, and sacrifice for Graham, one of five sisters.

“I was blessed to grow up in a supportive, loving environment,” Graham reflects. “Although we were poor in the traditional sense, it didn’t feel that way. Our home was full of joy and laughter.”

Raised in a household where her mother extended care, not only to her own children, but to relatives and neighbours alike, Graham learned early the values of compassion and community.

Her father, a strict but deeply supportive musician, instilled in her an unshakeable belief in her own potential.

“My dad always told me I was a superstar,” she recalls. “He believed in me so much that I had no choice but to succeed.”

LASTING IMPRESSION

Watching her mother navigate financial hardship left a lasting impression.

“It taught me discipline, hard work, and resilience. I felt I couldn’t afford to disappoint my parents or the sacrifices they made for us.”

Graham and her sister were enrolled in school from the age of two, later advancing through a home-school environment which exposed them to higher-level learning.

Her mother, determined that her daughters would be self-sufficient, invested heavily in their education, even when it strained the family’s limited resources.

That investment paid off.

Encouraged by her father’s unwavering advocacy, Graham sat her Common Entrance Examination (now Primary Exit Profile) ahead of schedule successfully transitioning to secondary education.

While her love for mathematics was evident from an early age, it was a high school teacher who offered a suggestion which changed her life.

“I told him I wanted to do something involving math, as long as it paid well and wasn’t teaching,” she recalled with a smile. “He suggested actuarial science.”

At The University of the West Indies, Graham pursued mathematics, where a chance encounter with a classmate opened doors beyond Jamaica’s borders.

Inspired by her friend’s journey, she went on to study actuarial science in the United Kingdom, before eventually relocating to Canada.

What was intended to be a short professional stint evolved into a decades-long career.

“Thirty years later, I’m grateful for a career where I can be effective on a global scale,” she said.

Graham’s professional journey began in Jamaica under the mentorship of respected actuary Daisy McFarlane Coke, where she learned not only technical excellence, but also the importance of accountability and precision.

“Mistake is made to mek, and that’s why work fi check,” she recalled of a lesson that has stayed with her throughout her career. “To err is human, but review is essential.”

With the support of mentors and sponsors, she steadily advanced, taking on increasingly complex roles across Canada and beyond, eventually rising to become a partner at Mercer, one of the world’s leading consulting firms.

Today she leads with a philosophy rooted in collaboration and inclusivity.

“I’ve always believed that teamwork makes the dream work. It’s about empowering people and focusing on the mission, not the individual.”

While Graham initially viewed her appointment as CIA president as a natural progression, she has since come to recognise its deeper significance.

“This is the first time a woman of colour is leading the organisation,” she noted. “It’s a breakthrough moment not just for me, but for young people watching.”

For Graham, representation matters deeply.

A REFLECTION OF HARD WORK

“I want others to see what is possible. My journey is a reflection of what can happen when you combine hard work, faith, and opportunity.”

Despite her global success, Graham remains firmly grounded in her Jamaican roots.

“Growing up in Jamaica gave me a strong sense of self and the belief that I can achieve anything,” she said. “I grew up seeing people like me lead and that made all the difference.”

Throughout her journey, Graham has faced her share of challenges including the rigorous demands of actuarial exams, which she describes as “not for the faint-hearted”.

However it was her faith, family, and determination that carried her through.

“My message is simple: it’s not where you start, but where you finish.”

To young Jamaicans, especially those from inner-city communities, her advice is both personal and powerful.

“If you can dream it, you can be it. Challenging work and an unflinching determination to succeed with integrity can take you from ordinary beginnings to extraordinary heights.”

As she leads the CIA, Graham is focused on elevating the profession’s role in shaping public policy and encouraging greater participation from the next generation.

“I want to inspire others to step forward, to lead, and to say yes to opportunities, even when they seem uncertain.”

Because, as her life story so clearly demonstrates: “Tomorrow starts today.”

Established in 1965 and located in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, the CIA is the sole qualifying and governing body for the actuaries in Canada and has over 6,800 members.