We’re excited to introduce you to Thrishna Samaroo, another one of our skilled actuarial recruiters whose dedication and insight make her an invaluable part of our team.
Thrishna brings a unique blend of relationship-building expertise and genuine passion for helping actuaries navigate their career journeys. With her thoughtful approach and commitment to staying connected with the actuarial community, she has become a trusted partner to both candidates and clients alike.
Meet Thrishna Samaroo, Actuarial Recruiter at Ezra Penland
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Favorite quote: “Je pense, donc je suis” — René Descartes. It translates to “I think, therefore I am,” and I’ve always found it motivating. It reminds me that mindset is powerful and that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Happiest when: I’m happiest when I’m around my friends and family. I’m also at my best when my space is clean. I love a good Sunday reset. Beyond just having a tidy place, I really enjoy the process of slowing down, cleaning with music on, and turning it into something relaxing and fun.
Coffee, tea, or something else to start your day? Definitely tea! I start every morning with a cup of black tea, with milk and sugar. I always look forward to having my tea in the morning before I tackle the day, and sometimes a cup of tea while I watch TV before bed to unwind.
What’s a skill or hobby you’d love to learn but haven’t had the chance to yet? I’d love to learn how to DJ. I grew up around family members who knew how, so I’ve picked up bits and pieces over the years, but I’d love to really sit down and learn it properly. When I listen to music, I’m always coming up with ideas, I just don’t know how to execute them yet.
If you weren’t in recruiting, what career path do you think you’d have pursued? If I weren’t in recruiting, I would have pursued a career as a makeup artist or esthetician. I’ve always had a strong interest in self-care and view makeup not only as a creative outlet, but also as meaningful personal time and self-expression. Friends and family regularly come to me for makeup and skincare advice, and I genuinely enjoy staying up to date on the latest products and trends. I could easily spend hours at Sephora or Ulta!
What is the most rewarding thing about working with actuaries? One of the most rewarding aspects of working with actuaries is being trusted during such an important life decision—changing jobs is never a small step. Being included in that process and helping someone navigate a move that can impact both their career and personal life is incredibly meaningful to me.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the actuarial field? I stay up to date by being active on LinkedIn and regularly talking with actuaries about what they’re seeing in the market. I’m also grateful to work alongside colleagues who have been recruiting in the actuarial space for over 20 years—I learn so much from their experience and enjoy picking up insights from them every day.
What advice would you give to an actuary looking for new opportunities? Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone! Growth often comes from trying something new, whether that’s a different role, industry, or type of team than you originally imagined. Even if an opportunity doesn’t feel like a perfect fit on paper, it can still be worth exploring. Being open to change and having honest conversations can lead to paths you may not have considered, but that ultimately move your career forward.
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an actuarial recruiter and what drew you to this field? During college, I was heavily involved in extracurricular activities and found that the most rewarding part was building relationships. Whether that meant securing sponsors, planning events, or connecting with students who attended our club’s programs. Those experiences made it clear that I wanted a career centered around people and collaboration, which naturally led me to recruiting.
Actuarial recruiting, in particular, stood out to me because of the constant opportunity to learn. I’m continually exposed to new technical concepts and challenged to deepen my understanding of the actuarial profession. Just as importantly, I get to step back and truly appreciate the skill, intelligence, and dedication of the professionals I work with every day, which makes the role both exciting and fulfilling.
If you want to learn more about Thrishna, please reach out to her directly or connect with her on LinkedIn. She would be delighted to share her expertise and discuss how she can help you advance your actuarial career. We look forward to continuing our Employee Spotlight series and introducing you to more of the talented individuals who make Ezra Penland such a special place to work.