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Career conversations: Achieve your goals with dedication and commitment

Crystal
Published 5 Feb 2024

Achieving the charter was not straightforward for Crystal Rodriguez-Greaves, CFA. But as Chief Risk Officer for the Caribbean’s largest mutual fund provider, her success is testament to her hard work and perseverance. Watch Crystal’s career story.

    I saw the CFA® Program as an investment in myself. I knew the value that it would bring if I completed the charter because I've seen what it has done for other finance professionals. I'm Crystal Rodriguez-Greaves. I am a CFA® Charterholder and also the Chief Risk Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation, and the President of the CFA® Society, Trinidad and Tobago.

    So my career journey has been one of learning and growth over the past 20 years. I've had the opportunity to work in progressive roles in finance, investments, risk management and compliance. I currently hold the role of Chief Risk Officer of the largest mutual fund provider in the Caribbean.  

    So I was first introduced to the CFA Program at university. During my time there, some members from the local Society done an awareness session to university students for them to understand the program. At the corporation where I work, because it is investments based, there were a number of persons pursuing the charter, and I was again introduced to the charter, in terms of what it could bring to my career, so I decided to pursue it at that point.

    I was motivated to do the CFA Program because at university I developed a passion for finance. And having heard about the CFA Program and the depth that it went to in terms of understanding finance and financial markets, I knew that it would be a right fit for me, and it would also help me in terms of my passion to get into the investment management industry.

    So my CFA® journey took approximately eight years. Over that time I had to do each level twice and I also took some time off within that eight-year period to focus on some personal and professional goals. So overall, it was quite a challenge, but I saw each time as an opportunity to learn and grow.

    I mean, it's never easy failing anything, but I think it also opened my eyes to the level of dedication and commitment that I had towards the program. It didn't faze me. I knew I just wanted to do it again and to get it right, so I think it really helped me in that regard. And I was able to successfully complete each level, the second time around.

    The CFA Program gives you a strong understanding of investments and all aspects of investments. So it really allows you to have a strong technical background in terms of jobs in the financial sector.