About Darryl

Growing up in a supportive family, Darryl developed a natural sense of focus. His early love of music, from singing to playing organ and trombone, revealed a musical ear and knack for harmony. Church involvement and helping his father nurtured his spirituality as well as his creativity and practical skills. Enjoying math in diverse school classrooms also fostered his structured thinking and ability to connect with people. These early experiences shaped Darryl into a well-rounded person with both artistic and practical sides.

Omaha Central High School showcased his strong musical engagement, including leadership. In his senior year, most of Darryl’s day was spent singing and playing trombone in 5 different ensembles. He also built lasting friendships. At the University of Nebraska, where he earned the Chancellor’s Award, actuarial science was his focus, aided by mentors and peers. Music remained central to his college years, and his songwriting resulted in the creation of the Regulators. This time reflects his academic dedication, career launch, lasting musical passion, and strong interpersonal abilities.

Darryl’s career began with diverse roles at CIGNA, blending technical, oversight, and people-focused responsibilities. At Arthur Andersen, he helped build an actuarial consulting practice, gaining broad expertise and international experience. Despite the firm’s collapse, he showed leadership in supporting his team, and learned valuable lessons about resilience, how to show up in moments that matter, and the importance of prioritizing people and relationships above all else.

Darryl’s home base will always be Omaha-he fondly remembers his late mother and father while staying connected to his brothers, nieces and nephews. Darryl is a proud parent of four children, who are now geographically dispersed after growing up in Connecticut. His children bring him incredible joy, and he feels deep pride and admiration for how they care for people-all have held roles as educators. He also enjoys life as a grandparent, channeling his love and attention to help the next generation grow.

Darryl chose Deloitte because the firm strategically valued actuaries and because of its people. This decision proved to be the right one for him. He had the opportunity to work with incredible clients alongside some of the most talented individuals in the industry. His time there was marked by tremendous leadership experiences, including leading client teams, the U.S. actuarial practice, and the global actuarial network, all while closely collaborating with his colleagues. For Darryl, it was a truly rewarding experience, both professionally and personally.

Darryl Wagner’s move to NYC was a gradual process. Initially hesitant after college, his travels as a consultant made it familiar. Once his children were grown, he moved to the Upper West Side, drawn to its beauty and accessibility, where he’s lived for nine years. He appreciates NYC’s walkability and its integration of life and work, even running the marathon. His ongoing apartment renovations reflect his continued investment and growth in the city he now embraces.

Darryl’s journey into holistic health began over 30 years ago when his father was diagnosed with cancer. With few options available through Western medicine, Darryl brought his father to the Optimum Health Institute, where they both immersed themselves in a holistic wellness retreat. The experience profoundly shaped his outlook, sparking a lifelong passion for holistic well-being. Since then, Darryl has worked closely with a holistic health doctor and embraced practices like yoga as part of his commitment to intentional living. For Darryl, health is not just physical—it’s a conscious, integrated approach to life.

Darryl enjoys his downtime, but he also loves adventures. He hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and climbed Mount Fuji with Deloitte colleagues in 2017. Closer to home, he enjoyed taking on the challenging Flatiron trail with his son in Arizona, Musically, in addition to his performances with the Regulators, he took the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Deloitte’s Unrestricted Entity where he was awarded Best Horn of the 2010 Corporate Battle of the Bands competition. In addition to the marathon, Darryl has finished several triathlons and recently his first half marathon. As he transitions into retirement, he looks forward to more music, hiking and other adventures with friends and family.

Darryl aims for an engaged retirement, strategically leveraging his skills and passion. Looking forward to more of all the “fun” things in life, including time with family and friends, he is pursuing professional and volunteer opportunities where he can make a difference. Darryl deeply values the actuarial profession’s tech-driven future and wants to be part of shaping it. Eager to lead the SOA, he believes his experience is ideal to guide the profession. Inspired by his father’s restoration work, which he continues to carry on, Darryl seeks to honor the past while innovating for the present and future.