Blog Post: A Q&A with Darby Wallis, VP of Actuary

At the core of LEEO’s underwriting performance is Darby Wallis, Vice President of Actuary. Her work ensures the science behind every decision is as strong as the strategy guiding it. With deep actuarial expertise and a passion for innovation, Darby leads the team responsible for turning complex data into clear, actionable insights that power smarter pricing and stronger outcomes.

In this Q&A, Darby shares what excites her most about her role, how actuarial innovation is shaping LEEO’s approach, and what truly sets the company apart in an increasingly crowded insurtech landscape.

Leadership & Market Perspective

What’s the most exciting part of your role today?

The most exciting part of my role is that we’re building the actuarial foundation of LEEO in real time as the company scales. We’re designing pricing, reserving, telematics strategy, and portfolio intelligence from the ground up, and it all directly shapes performance.

It’s rare to have a role where your technical work immediately influences underwriting decisions, profitability, and relationships with capacity partners. It’s challenging and rewarding, which is my favorite kind of work.

What does innovation look like in actuarial work at LEEO?

Innovation at LEEO means applying classic actuarial fundamentals in a way that’s responsive and modern. We don’t operate under legacy constraints. If the data or loss experience shows a pattern, we can adjust quickly and intelligently.

The balance of discipline and agility is what makes the work here feel truly innovative.

What sets LEEO apart in a crowded insurtech landscape?

LEEO doesn’t chase growth for the sake of premium volume. We’re disciplined about writing the right business, not all business.

A lot of insurtechs talk about being data-driven, but we actually are. Between telematics, underwriting clarity, and strong pricing fundamentals, we’re building a model that can scale without sacrificing quality.

How does the actuarial team power LEEO’s mission and results?

The actuarial team drives the core levers of our performance: pricing, loss ratio forecasting, risk selection, and reserve accuracy. We strive to give LEEO clarity — where the portfolio is strong, where it needs to improve, and how to stay ahead of risk. It’s the engine behind sustainable growth and the foundation of our carrier partnerships. 

Getting to Know Darby

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

“Run toward the things that feel challenging — that’s where you grow.”

It sounds simple, but it’s shaped every major step I’ve taken. The hardest problems usually end up being the most meaningful ones to solve.

What’s one skill outside of work you’ve been trying to master?

I’ve been working on giving myself real space to recharge, both mentally and physically. Parenting and work are both demanding, and I’ve learned that if I don’t take care of my own energy and headspace, everything else suffers.

Rest is something I now take seriously instead of trying to squeeze it in.

Looking Ahead

Darby’s perspective highlights the critical role actuarial science plays in bringing LEEO’s vision to life. From advancing innovation to strengthening underwriting performance, her focus on precision, insight, and continuous improvement is helping drive measurable impact across the organization.

As LEEO continues to grow, Darby’s leadership remains central to building smarter, more resilient insurance solutions for the future of commercial auto.