|
Years later, Donnelly and BNPP AM, the asset management subsidiary of BNP Paribas, have extended that same challenge to all employees by sponsoring a program that funds employees interested in sitting for the CFA examinations, whatever their motivations.
Donnelly earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Aston in Birmingham, England, and then went to France for her first job at an American private bank, where she handled custody client services and worked on sales support.
When that bank closed its Paris office, she joined BNP Paribas in 1997 and in 2000 was appointed head of BNPP AM’s RFP team.
Donnelly is now in charge of client services for BNP Paribas Asset Management, where she manages a team of professionals who, among other things, coordinate the implementation of mandates, answer questions, and solve problems to ensure client satisfaction.
In this capacity, she’s learned how important it is to have skilled, knowledgeable staff able to manage the variety of complex issues that invariably arise.
Donnelly’s personal experience with the CFA Program began when her supervisor and she decided to enroll in the program together, mutually encouraging one another to take on the extra work. During that period of intense study, she found that the CFA Program helped her to understand all of the issues and questions raised by potential clients during the RFP process. Thus inspired, she began to suggest a similar regimen for her colleagues.
“I do encourage people to go for the [CFA] Program,” Donnelly says. “It provides a foundation, but it also shows that [employees] have a good, solid knowledge of the asset management business and the various asset classes, even if they’re someone working just on equities. They’ll still know what bonds and derivatives are even if they don’t use them.”
Not only did her colleagues listen to her words of advice, some of them took action. She explains, “I must have set an example [while studying], because several of the people on the [RFP] team decided to do the program.” And now the two who completed the program are both portfolio managers at the firm.
Donnelly also supports the CFA Program through her work with the French CFA Society, where she acts as general secretary and head of training. Creating another avenue of encouragement for the CFA Program at her place of employment seemed like a natural move to her.
Donnelly explains that she convinced the management at BNP Paribas Asset Management to encourage employees to enroll in the CFA Program because earning the CFA designation can demonstrate expertise in any market. “For a French asset manager, it shows that you have a very definite command of English,” she says. “It also shows that you have a good, basic knowledge of the asset management business that is recognizable anywhere.”
She initiated the support program at BNPP AM by working with the human resources department to identify employees who might be interested in the CFA examinations, and informing them about the new study group.
Introduced last October, the new study group has 15 people who meet weekly for lunchtime study sessions and training.
After an initial introductory phase, BNPP AM hires outside trainers and also covers the employees’ registration and enrollment fees and books.
“It’s a sort of support program. But I think what’s really unusual about it is that it’s really an introduction to the program that allows people to see what they’re getting themselves into before they commit themselves to three years of slog.”
As for the 15 who are currently doing their own version of “slog,” Donnelly says, “I think they’ll all pass. The amount of work they’re putting into it, the kind of support they’re getting, as well as the kind of support they’re giving each other, all point to a positive outcome.”
|
atricia Donnelly, CFA, who enrolled in the CFA Program as part of a mutual challenge with her supervisor, has become one of the CFA Program’s staunchest supporters.
