Sarah Johnson, a former UNSW Business School student, has been named Actuary of the Year 2016 by the Actuaries Institute.

Benjamin Avanzi, Associate Professor said, “The UNSW Business School and its School of Risk and Actuarial Studies is delighted to announce that their 2004 (BCom Hons) alumna Sarah Johnson has been named "2016 Actuary of the Year". This is a very prestigious award, and the school would like to congratulate her for her outstanding achievement.”

Sarah, who is the Scheme Actuary for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been recognised for her innovative and pioneering work within the organisation. The President of the Actuaries Institute, Lindsay Smartt, said: “The NDIS is one of the most important social initiatives in Australia since the introduction of Medicare. In her pioneering work for the NDIS, Sarah has taken the actuarial profession into a new and exciting area of social policy.”

Prior to taking up the role at NDIS, Sarah spent 10 years at PwC working closely with governments across Australia in the areas of disability and social policy. She was instrumental in securing an additional $2 billion in funding for disability in NSW under Stronger Together 2, an initiative of the NSW Department of Family and Community services.

Sarah Johnson said, “I’m very happy and humbled to have won this award. The NDIS is a great initiative to be a part of and highlights the importance of the actuarial skill set in large social reforms.”

The distinguished award will be presented to Sarah at the Actuaries Institute Celebration and Networking Dinner being held in Sydney on Tuesday 29 November 2016.

Media contact: Ibrar Khan: 02 9385 9887 | ibrar.khan@unsw.edu.au