2024 Society Awards Program Winners

This year, CFA Society Bahrain spearheaded several flagship initiatives that are shaping the future of the investment industry. 

They expanded their Mutmahin Program, which bridges the gap between academia and industry, equipping graduates with technical and soft skills required for a successful transition.  

Their Qodwa Mentorship Program, with its personalized guidance and rigorous assessment, has secured employment for over 90% of the participants at leading institutions.  

Through their Women in Investment Program, in partnership with government entities, CFA Society Bahrain has cultivated a pipeline of female leaders, promoting diversity and inclusion in the financial sector. 

Beyond these initiatives, CFA Society Bahrain has been a trusted partner to regulators including their work with Regulatory Authorities and their MOU partnerships with universities and organizations including the Middle East Investor Relations Association. 

In addition to these initiatives, they delivered a diverse program of events to deepen member engagement, offered a study support group for ESG Investing Certificate candidates, and launched an awareness campaign featuring interviews of esteemed charterholders significantly elevating the profile of the CFA Program. 

CFA Society Netherlands played a pivotal role in the development and successful launch of the European DEI Code in The Netherlands by securing the first signatory and endorsements, garnering substantial media attention and a LinkedIn post with 25,000 views.

Their research and advocacy efforts have been instrumental in cementing their role as thought leaders in the industry. CFA Society Netherlands published a Blueprint for "Investing in Alternatives Under the New Pension Reform," an additional 14 pieces for the VBA Investment Professionals Journal, nine columns for the Financial Investigator and Investment Officer, and also shared local insights on CFA Institute’s Finfluencer Report. 

Their recognized "MiFID II Stay Compliant Program" and contribution to regulatory guidelines demonstrate their endeavors for the highest professional standards and excellence. 

This was achieved all the while launching a new sponsorship strategy and innovative outreach, partnering with finfluencers to reach new audiences. Through their efforts, the society's membership retention increased to 94%. 

CFA Society Netherlands' commitment to a more inclusive and equitable investment industry is a remarkable accomplishment, and their partnership with regulators has been instrumental in shaping the investment landscape.  

Having achieved a remarkable 70% increase in CFA Program candidates, doubling their new Level I registrations, and increasing membership by 13% with a retention rate exceeding 90%, CFA Society Spain is thriving.

Through the establishment of the Iberoamerica Committee, they have enhanced international visibility and fostered relationships within the Ibero-American investor community, paving the way for socio-economic development. 

Initiatives like their CFA Ambassador and Mentoring programs, alongside in-company ESG training sessions, have strengthened ties with global financial institutions, elevating the visibility of CFA charterholder professionals across Spain. Their Certified Advisor Program, recognized by Spain’s National Securities Market Commission, welcomed 711 new CAd certificants.

CFA Society Spain's Advocacy Committee has been instrumental in shaping the dialogue around fintech in the EU, contributing to the development of “The Fintech Sector in the EU,” which earned prominent media coverage, positioning CFA Society Spain as a thought leader and enhanced engagement with regulatory priorities of the National Securities Market Commission.

This was achieved all while successfully launching the first online training course conducted entirely by charterholders and organizing over 50 high-quality events, attracting approximately 1,400 participants.  

A substantial achievement for CFA Society Switzerland was the publication of their first Position Paper on Investment Governance at Swiss Pension Funds, presented to Swiss parliament and the Presidents of the Supervisory Commission for Occupational Pension Plans and Swiss Pension Fund Association. This practitioner's guide is vital in a fragmented pension fund market to ensure pension funds rely on well-educated and informed pension fund managers. The paper reached over 100 pension funds at the society’s Swiss Pensions Conference and was discussed at the European Pension Fund Investment Forum in Basel. 

The society introduced a framework to effectively respond to consultations organized by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA and Swiss administration and created a new report for members to stay current on regulatory updates. Their monthly outlook survey of CFA charterholders on the Swiss financial market is widely recognized and became known as the UBS-CFA indicator found in Bloomberg and monitored by the Swiss National Bank.

CFA Society Switzerland promoted the adoption of GIPS standards by participating in GIPS days organized by the Asset Management Association Switzerland and contributed to the development of the DEI Europe code, hosting a roundtable with the most senior DEI experts from major financial institutions in Switzerland.

Notably, they successfully hosted five flagship conferences and 19 professional learning webinars, achieving an impressive net promoter score of 58, and a 4% growth in their overall membership base. 

CFA Society Thailand has made significant strides in shaping the future of the investment industry and enhancing market integrity. Through collaborative efforts with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand, they launched Thai versions of the Global ESG Disclosure Standards and guidance on integrating ESG factors into equity analysis and research reports. These initiatives empower local investors and analysts to make informed, responsible decisions, promoting transparency and reducing greenwashing in the Thai market. In addition, they leverage volunteer expertise to analyze and discuss research content in Thai on social media, a vital way to engage younger professionals and encourage a culture of continuous learning. 

Their commitment to professional development is evident in their comprehensive scholarship programs in collaboration with Thailand’s Capital Market Development Fund, significantly boosting the number of CFA candidates in Thailand and improving pass rates. In providing resources such as exam-day simulation mocks and attracting over 500 participants to their tutoring sessions, study groups, and ethics crash courses, they are cultivating a new generation of skilled finance professionals. 

Enforcing robust governance on the board nomination process ensures diverse composition of skill and gender, and a volunteer registration system which enhances engagement and continuity. 

Together, these efforts, and a deep collaboration with Thai Security and Exchange Commission and Stock Exchange of Thailand have positioned CFA Society Thailand as a leader in promoting sustainable practices and advancing the integrity of financial markets in the development of future professionals. 

CFA Society Toronto stands at the forefront of promoting market integrity and shaping the future of the investment industry.  Advocacy is a core component of their success, having forged strong partnerships with government and regulatory bodies, including the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization and the Ontario Securities Commission, to enhance the adoption of CFA Institute principles.

Their groundbreaking survey with the Industry Standards Reporting Research Council has yielded important insights into the information that investors rely upon for decision-making, and their senior leader roundtable supported the development of research, including End of Cheap Money and Capital Formation Digital Transformation and Sustainable Finance.

Their strategic thought leadership produced an impressive 67 articles, addressing best practices, trends, and insights that reached over 27,000 readers.

A notable highlight is their dedication to advancing women in investment management. By breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of female finance professionals, particularly from under-represented communities, their events and webinars drive a more inclusive industry and highlight interventions to effectively narrow the gender gap.

CFA Society Toronto has strategically built partnerships to enhance member benefits, hosting sold-out events with esteemed organizations like the Bank of Canada, the Financial Modeling Institute, and the Toronto Association for Business and Economics. This, combined with their targeted campaigns, generated over 260 registrations for CFA Institute learning programs. Furthermore, their recruitment of student ambassadors led to a 10% increase in Level I registrations. 

At the heart of their efforts remains a commitment to member trust and satisfaction. This is evidenced by a remarkable 16% increase in membership and a staggering 300% growth in monthly social media impressions. Notably, their Volunteer Appreciation Week alone gained over 270 new followers, showcasing their vibrant community.  

CFA Society Toronto exemplifies the dedication, innovation and advocacy essential for advancing our industry’s future. 

Kirsten has been incredibly active, contributing to a variety of initiatives including the society’s renewal campaign, adaptation of the European DEI code, and dedicated countless hours as a Jury Member for the Research Challenge. 

She has helped shape the CFA Female Finance Forum, fostering inclusive dialogue, and formed an expert Audit Quality working group.  

A go-to expert for complex policy and regulatory issues and a key member of the Advocacy Committee, Kristen played a crucial role in the development of the CFA Society Germany Blueprint and several consultation responses.  

What truly stands out about Kirsten is her generosity with her time and talent. She is especially gifted at condensing complicated topics into understandable content, bringing fellow experts together in a way that everyone feels heard and understood. An invaluable asset to CFA Society Germany, delivering both professional excellence and personal integrity—all qualities of a true leader. 

Enrique’s strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment have been crucial to the continued growth and success of CFA Society Spain.

Enrique has demonstrated dedication across many areas—participating the CFA Society Spain Mentorship Program, authoring articles for national economic media, and serving as a grader for the Research Challenge.

Enrique’s leadership as Chair of the Communications Committee has been transformative. The dynamic Social Media Strategy opened new channels, increasing followers by 3,000 this past year alone and notably helping to secure a record number of members through the membership growth campaign. 

Enrique is always available for tasks, whether glamorous or routine, and works seamlessly across committees, bringing innovative ideas to life.  

His introduction of junior and senior society Ambassadors at key institutions in the Spanish market has played a pivotal role in generating awareness of the CFA Program and increasing employer support.

His work has not only advanced the goals of CFA Society Spain but has also set a benchmark for others to follow.

Sara Loriot exemplifies exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to CFA Society Toronto's strategic objectives. Since earning her CFA Charter in 2018, she has been a highly engaged member and volunteer leader, significantly contributing to promoting diversity, particularly among women in the industry.

Sara's journey with CFA Society Toronto began as a project volunteer in FY2019. By FY2022, she joined the Industry Relations & Corporate Governance (IRCG) Committee and was quickly nominated as Vice Chair. Her leadership was evident during the planning of the 3rd Annual Women in Finance (AWIF) Conference, where she transformed the event into a half-day conference.

Under her leadership, the event achieved remarkable success with 124 registrants, a 110% increase from the previous year. The event generated $25,900 in sponsorship support and increased the society's social media reach by over 25,000 organic impressions.

Sara's contributions extend beyond event organization. She has been actively involved in the CFA Society Toronto’s mentorship program and is the key volunteer leader and host of the society's Diverse Dividends video podcast series.

Mohan has been instrumental in promoting sustainable investment practices as co-chair of the ESG Working Group on the Research and Advocacy committee.

In addition to spearheading several key initiatives, including the formation of the India Sustainable Investment Forum and the successful launch of the inaugural India Sustainable Investment Leadership Summit in 2023, he has organized impactful roundtable discussions with industry leaders, contributed to research, and provided crucial feedback on ESG-related consultation papers. 

Mohan's efforts extend to institutional and regulatory outreach, where he works closely with regulators and media to promote sustainable finance. He is also a dedicated educator, delivering training sessions, webinars, and professional learning credits as both a speaker and moderator at Society events. 

In addition, Mohan has served as Co-Chair of GIPS India country sponsor team actively driving the adoption and development of Global Investment Performance Standards and worked closely with regulators to advance key policy initiatives. His dedication to promoting CFA Institute’s codes and standards and professional learning has made a significant impact, both within the society and across the broader financial industry in India. 

A passionate advocate for gender diversity, he has mentored candidates of the Young Women in Investment program and helped raise awareness of the value of CFA Program and certifications in his professional community.  

Alvin's leadership and volunteerism within CFA Society Philippines are exemplary.

In addition to his corporate role (currently managing director of corporate finance at FTI Consulting Philippines, Inc.), Alvin served as an adjunct faculty member at UST for seven years, teaching courses such as Security Analysis, Capital Markets, Portfolio Management, and Equity Research. He integrated the CFA curriculum into his lectures and actively promoted the CFA Program. Alvin also facilitated scholarships for students aspiring to take the CFA exams, directly impacting the careers of future finance professionals.

He has headed the local CFA Institute Research Challenge for over five years, increasing school participation by shifting from an invitation-only strategy to an application-based approach. This innovative approach led to the successful execution of the society's first-ever university outreach in Cebu, engaging multiple stakeholders in just one week.

As Vice President for Academic Relations and a Board Trustee of CFA Society Philippines, Alvin administers and oversees various programs and competitions for university students, including the CFA Institute Research Challenge and the MART-CFAP Cup. He played a pivotal role in creating the Ad-Hoc Scholarship Policy, ensuring efficient and fair scholarship awards.