In Memory of Estella Chiu

August 2023

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) extends condolences to those who knew and worked with Estella Chiu, FSA, who recently passed away. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her friends and family. We want to pay tribute to her accomplishments and dedication to the actuarial profession, in particular the friendships she formed through her efforts with the SOA.

“We at the SOA are saddened to hear of Estella Chiu’s passing,” said Andrew Peterson, FSA, MAAA, FCA, SOA managing director, International. “She was a leader in the actuarial profession in Asia, having served in many different volunteer roles for the SOA, the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong and the International Actuarial Association. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, as well as her energy and passion for the actuarial profession.”

Estella volunteered to serve on the SOA’s China Region Committee (including as the chair), the International Committee, the Greater Asia Committee (including as the inaugural chair from 2015 to 2016) and more recently, as an external examiner for the University-Earned Credit program. Estella received an SOA Outstanding Volunteer award in 2016, recognizing her commitment to the organization and the actuarial profession.

Estella was an active member of the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong (ASHK) and served as its first female president in 2005. She helped enhance inter-professional relationships with other associations, such as the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Society of Actuaries China, and more. She also represented the ASHK at the International Actuarial Association (IAA) and was a member of the IAA’s Executive Committee.

Most recently, Estella served as a non-executive director at both the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC) Ltd. and HKMC Annuity Ltd., and she was an independent board director at Singapore Life. Before she retired in 2017, Estella was a partner and head of actuarial services at KPMG China in Hong Kong. She attended Western University and received an executive MBA degree from Kellogg-HKUST. Estella earned her Fellowship of the SOA (FSA) designation in 1989.

Estella’s leadership, expertise and dedication will be missed at the SOA and in the actuarial profession. The legacy of her work remains an inspiration to others.