Growing up in a military family, Tenesia McGruder moved around a lot. She pushed herself to be extroverted and learned how to quickly forge bonds with new friends.
“I’m the kind of person who never meets a stranger,” McGruder said. “I’ve always loved being around people.”
“People skills” might not top the typical list of traits successful actuaries possess, but McGruder’s love for people sets her apart in the industry.
McGruder currently works as a senior actuary with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, where she manages software applications and builds financial models for clients. She recognizes that although she is not always the most technical person in the room, she is vital to the company because of her ability to communicate complex concepts to various stakeholders who may not be fluent in actuarial speak.
“The human element of caring and thinking about consumers really appeals to me,” McGruder said. “It doesn’t matter if you have the best model that rates every person perfectly; you have to consider that these are actual humans, and you have to actually think about them.”
McGruder completed her B.B.A. in actuarial science from Robinson in 2009. Over the course of the program, she learned the high-level math required for her actuarial exams and met executives from Deloitte and other major Atlanta-based firms.
“We weren’t limited to book learning,” McGruder said. “We gained industry knowledge as well.”
McGruder credits the Honors Experience in Business with helping her build the professional communication and leadership skills she has leveraged throughout her career. She is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, was president of the International Association of Black Actuaries, and earned the Rising Champion accolade at the M.R. Greenberg School of Risk Science’s 2019 Riskies Awards.
Building interpersonal relationships not only suits McGruder’s personality but also gives her career greater meaning.
“If you can communicate effectively, you can forge your own path and find a role that allows you to connect with people as opposed to just plugging in numbers.”