About Ezra Penland

Sally has been speaking with Actuaries almost daily for over 30 years, and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of her work. She especially enjoys the strong, deep, and long-lasting relationships she has built with Actuaries and the employers of Actuaries, which are often one in the same. These candidates and clients are the backbone of Ezra Penland Actuarial Recruitment and have allowed the company to become a preeminent actuarial and data analytics recruitment firm.

In her time in the industry, Sally has gained knowledge and insight that allow her to find creative solutions to challenging job searches that provide the best possible fit for the company and the candidate. In addition to Actuarial placements, she excels at finding placement at non-traditional companies ranging from data, enterprise risk management, and catastrophe analytics firms, to hospitals, start-ups, insuretechs, and more.

She does practical work to expand the career options within the Actuarial field, and also does committee and ad-hoc project work for various Actuarial Societies and Universities. Ezra Penland gives back by providing sponsorship of a variety of Actuarial events and causes, and provides a twice a year scholarship via the LinkedIn group, The Entry-Level Actuary. Sally attends numerous Actuarial meeting and symposiums annually and also participates as a speaker, sponsor, and supporter in a wide variety of ways of the Actuarial profession.

Both companies and candidates alike value her commitment, resourcefulness, her personal attention, and her high level of professional ethics. Sally can be reached at 312-802-9221 or at sally@ezrapenland.com.

Kevin has a proven business development, sales and leadership background in finance and technology. He can be reached at kevin@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4753.

Lauren has been a recruiter with Ezra Penland since 2014, after having worked in education both in Chicago and Japan. She brings this people-centered focus to her work as an Actuarial Recruiter, and enjoys forming long-term relationships with her candidates and clients. She is detail-oriented and thoughtful in her work, and develops an understanding of the motivations and interests of candidates and clients alike in order to find the best mutual fit for all involved. Lauren also regularly gives presentations to Actuarial Science students on best practices in their job search. 

Reach Lauren at lauren@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4717. 

Liz uses her background in human resources, management and customer service to build relationships with both candidates and clients. By partnering with client hiring managers, she develops understanding of specific technical, culture and professional needs and translates this into strong candidate placements. Liz listens to candidates and helps them navigate career goals by making thoughtful and pragmatic connections.

Liz can be reached at liz@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4752.

Bailey has been with Ezra Penland since 2015, where she started as an Actuarial Recruiter. After earning her Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology, her role has expanded to also include training & development and employee engagement.  She enjoys helping people reach their full potential, and is always rooting for the success of her candidates, clients, and colleagues. Reach Bailey at bailey@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4747.

Jennifer is a Partner with a focus on Retained Engagements and Executive Searches in the Insurance Industry. Her team creates opportunities for experienced Actuarial and Analytics professionals in C-Suite and Senior-Level roles across Actuarial, Underwriting, Broking & Claims, Product, Marketing, and Finance. Over 18 years of recruiting experience in the Actuarial and Analytics profession with a deep understanding of the industry and its dynamics. She has placed numerous actuarial professionals with top employers in North America and globally and is known for her proactive approach of staying engaged with both clients and candidates, regardless of whether they are actively searching. Jennifer can be reached at jennifer@ezrapenland.com or 773-598-4751

Brea joined Ezra Penland in December 2024. Brea has completed two master's degrees—an MBA and a degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. During this time, she developed a passion for recruitment and talent acquisition. She also has gained valuable experience as an HR Advisor and will be using these skills to support Jennifer Retford. Brea can be reached at Brea@ezrapenland.com or 773-598-4758.

Lauren joined Ezra Penland in May 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in client and public relations. A graduate of Carthage College with a degree in Performing Arts, Lauren has built a career on strong communication, relationship-building, and a commitment to exceptional client service. She will be using these skills to support Sally Ezra and help connect top actuarial talent with leading employers. 

Leia is a dedicated researcher and leader who supports the recruiting team with her thoroughness and excellent attention to detail. She leads the Ezra Penland Data Team, maintains our website and social media position listings, and conducts market research to keep things running smoothly. Leia can be reached at leia@ezrapenland.com. 

Thrishna joined Ezra Penland in May 2025. Prior to joining the firm, she received a Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University in Cognitive Science/Human Resource Management and was employed as a Healthcare Recruiter. Thrishna brings a personalized and attentive approach to recruitment, making her a great resource for candidates and clients. She can be reached at Thrishna@ezrapenland.com or 732-309-4033.

Sarah joined Ezra Penland in October 2025, bringing a strong foundation in client management and project coordination. A graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in International Business Management, Sarah has a strong background in business operations, client relations, and management. She will be using these skills to support Sally Ezra and help connect top actuarial talent with leading employees. 

Diane has extensive experience in office administration and operations. She consistently works to maintain strong support for Ezra Penland’s recruiting team as well as our clients and candidates. You can reach Diane at diane@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4750. 

Gigi Castro is a student at Roosevelt University in Chicago studying Data Analytics. She enjoys learning about databases, systems and how data interacts. Gigi is excited to discover the ways she can apply her degree in different industries. In her spare time she enjoys discussing pop culture themes in film and television. 

Peter is a student at DePauw University studying Actuarial Science and Risk Management with a minor in Business Analytics. He plans to graduate in 2027, has passed Exam FM, and is currently sitting for Exam P. He enjoys exploring how data-driven analysis supports better risk decisions and operational precision in actuarial work. In his spare time, Peter enjoys playing billiards and basketball.

Zaina is a student at DePaul University studying Actuarial Science with minors in Mathematics and Statistics. She is graduating in 2027 and plans to pass Exam P and FM by the end of this year. Zaina is interested in applying her knowledge of mathematics and probability to real-world situations within the actuarial field. In her free time, Zaina enjoys taking long walks, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with friends and family.