The Prime Directive of Risk: Navigating Uncertainty with Amir Ramezanpour

In this episode of Risk Is Our Business, Captain Michael Rasmussen beams aboard Amir Ramezanpour, Vice President of Global Risk Technology and Intelligence, and Global Risk Transformation Office at Manulife, to explore how risk must be defined, framed, and operationalized in a world of constant unpredictability.

Michael and Amir both lean on ISO 31000’s central principle, risk as the effect of uncertainty on objectives, to emphasize why context and clarity of objectives are mission-critical. From there, the conversation dives into risk intelligence, and how organizations can plan for the unplannable by building frameworks and operations designed to thrive in turbulence.

They explore engagement with the first line of defense, asking whether risk is still seen as a bureaucratic pain or whether it can become a trusted partner in helping leaders make better business decisions. Amir shares his vision for how agentic AI and digital twins will power the future of risk management, automating the routine, enabling what-if scenario planning, and equipping leaders to simulate futures before charting their course.

Rather than striving to eliminate uncertainty, Amir reminds us that the real mission is to navigate it. By grounding risk in objectives, engaging the first line as active copilots, and harnessing new tools like risk intelligence and AI-driven simulations, leaders can transform unpredictability into strategic advantage. For those ready to lead at warp, the path forward is to embrace uncertainty with purpose, clarity, and resilience.