Jim Brierley (BMath '76)

Photo of Jim Brierley
Jim Brierley (BMath '76) has built a career on the elegance of math equations but, when it comes to memories of his time as a student of actuarial science at the University of Waterloo, it's the beauty of sport that makes him smile.

Celebrating with his friends in residence when Paul Henderson scored one of hockey's most famous goals in 1972 to win the Summit Series remains his most compelling memory. Brierley, now president of the Munich Reinsurance Company's Canadian life operations and chairman of their U.S. subsidiary, also fondly remembers the excitement during the final moments of a 1975 championship game when Warrior basketball player Phil Goggins sunk a shot with seconds left in the game to win the national title.

Since graduating, Brierley has served on many committees, including ones for Campaign Waterloo, the Institute for Quantitative Finance and Insurance, and the University of Waterloo Foundation Board. He is a Chancellor's Circle donor and has been director of the University of Waterloo Crown Foundation. He has also served as president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and chairman of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association.

In 2002, Brierley received the Faculty of Mathematics Alumni Achievement Medal for his outstanding professional accomplishments and dedication to the university. He has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for the Faculty of Mathematics, a place that gave him the academic foundation to pursue a career he loves.

He says, "I am especially proud to have graduated from the math faculty's actuarial science program, which is arguably, although very few would argue, the finest such program in the world."

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