Benefits of Volunteering with Member Societies

 

Read what society leaders have to say about the benefits of volunteering

 

"It is a honor, privilege, and challenge working with some of the brightest financial minds that make up the board of the Dayton CFA Society."

Dave Avdakov, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager
US Bank, Private Asset Management
Dayton CFA Society

 

 

"Active involvement in our local CFA society has enabled me to give something back to the investment community, which has supported me so much over the years. CFA society volunteer work has also generated meaningful relationships with professionals in many market disciplines. It has been a rewarding experience."

Carol Boykin, CFA
Managing Director
Bolton Partners Investment Consulting Group, Inc.
Baltimore CFA Society

 

 

"The reason I volunteered to establish and grow the CFA Institute “franchise” in Turkey is to spread the CFA Institute values and principles in a country where the capital markets are at a developing stage. As the Turkish society, we shared the CFA Institute Code of Ethics, Standards of Professional Conduct and the Performance Presentation Standards with the industry practitioners, local associations and the Turkish Capital Market Board. We are happy to see that several aspects of these standards have been adopted by local institutions and are becoming more and more industry standards.  Along with the increase of foreign investment into Turkey, we see an increasing demand for CFA charterholders from foreign investment banks and international institutional investors, such as private equity funds and hedge funds. Our charterholders are preferred over non-charterholders."

Attila Koksal, CFA
Managing Director
Dundas Unlu Menkul Degerler A S
CFA Society of Istanbul

 

 

"I volunteered for my local CFA Society because I thought it would be a way to contribute and to meet new colleagues. What I found was that whatever time and effort I gave, I received that back ten fold. The opportunity to work with such talented, highly committed and interesting individuals throughout the globe has enriched both my professional and my personal life. I can no longer imagine not wanting to be involved!"

Sharon L. Criswell, CFA
Chief Operating Officer
ALM First Financial Advisors, LLC
CFA Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

 

 

"My main reason for volunteering is to make a contribution to CFA Institute and the CFA designation—both of which have made a dramatic impact on my career and station in life. The unexpected benefit of volunteering over the last 10+ years has been an absolute windfall in terms of learning experiences, career/networking opportunities, and, most importantly, friendships with true investment professionals around the world."

Terence E. Burns, CFA
President and Founder
Campion Wealth Management LLC
CFA Society of Washington, D.C.

 

 

"What I love about being a board member and membership chair of CFA Hawaii is my ability to make a difference in the financial community in Hawaii. In particular, as a board member, I’m able to help steer an organization that’s leading the charge in developing a more vibrant – albeit small – financial community out here in Hawaii. And as membership chair, I can lead our organization’s growth efforts to develop a more dynamic society to support our growing financial community. How exciting is that!"

Sam Chang, CFA
Technology Analyst
Bank of Hawaii Asset Mgmt
CFA Hawaii

 

 

"I initially volunteered because most of the senior partners in my firm had been presidents of the local society and I wanted to be like them. I continued to volunteer because it was fun and rewarding to have a part in building an investment community locally and globally. I now have friends all over the world."

Kathleen Chrisman, CFA
Georgia Retirement System
The Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts, Inc

 

 

"The core of the investment management business is about building relationships based upon trust and professionalism. I thought volunteering would help me meet more people in Texas – but instead it has introduced me to people around the world. By volunteering with my local CFA Institute society, I have been able to learn more about building professional relationships, while also learning how to become a more successful business person in the global capital markets. Working with your local CFA Society brings the world to your doorstep."

Daniel Meader, CFA
Managing Partner
Trinity Advisors, LP
CFA Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

 

 

"I volunteered because I had taken a job in this industry in a very large city where I knew no one and I wanted to find a community of which I could be a part. I never dreamed I would get so much back - fellow graders include me in their holiday letters every year, two charterholders from outside the U.S. sent me photos of their vacations this past year, members of our local society include me in family celebrations and a fellow charterholder just asked if he could set up sightseeing for a trip I'm taking. I feel I could go anywhere in this world and always have friends, as long as I could find the local charterholders!"

Marla L. Harkness, CFA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Financial Management Advisors LLC
CFA Society of Los Angeles

 

 

"I feel priviledged to serve as a volunteer for the CFA Society of Philadelphia. Through our Community Outreach Program, I enjoy teaching high school students the fundamentals of investing. As a society leader, I value working with colleagues as we strive to improve the programs and services that we provide to our members. I particularily enjoy meeting and interacting with the leaders of other societies from throughout the world during the Society Leaders Conferences."

Domenic L. D'Ginto, CFA
PNC Bank Corp.
CFA Society of Philadelphia