Year Two Highlights!

This week marks the conclusion of my second year with CAIA Association. Unlike the whiplash of Year One, this was nothing short of twelve full months of WFH, masked, socially distanced, zoom intensified, extrovert pain. It was never how I would have drawn it up and the complete disassembling of our preconceived notions of culture formation and teamwork were extraordinary. Nonetheless, this organization once again exhibited world class resilience and exceptional human vulnerability in the face of a generational global crisis. And I’m convinced we are better for it.

I’m shaking hands, traveling, and putting on suits again but this last year has profoundly affected my leadership style, contentment, and gratitude for the truly important things of life and work. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely played a role in that journey and I’m thankful for you. And if I happen to be able to call you “colleague,” please know I’m deeply honored to steward this mission alongside of you.

Ironically, narrowing my Top Ten most proud moments list was even harder this year than last but here it goes:

10. Speaking of resilience, a flattering and exciting article from P&I outlining our strategic shift to online proctoring during COVID and the record breaking 2020 we had as a result.

9. Our congratulatory welcome letter to the Biden/Harris administration outlining an investor-first agenda

8. The launch of Alts Edge, a new online learning program for financial advisors built in partnership with i-Capital

7. Our staff tent event on November 4th, the first in person get together since March, to rekindle relationships and kick off 2021 organizational planning.

6. The establishment of CAIA Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee chaired by Brigette Lumpkins and our inaugural partnership with Troy Prince’s Wall Street Bound.

5. The stirring and validating findings of our qualitative due diligence survey that led to our opinion piece: Culture Eats the Sharpe Ratio for Breakfast

4. The migration and rebranding of our flagship enterprise blog: Portfolio for the Future

3. The collaborative development and publishing of CAIA Association’s Investment Beliefs and Cultural Values.

2. The super-human efforts of our exam team Kristaps Licis, Nelson Lacey, Seydina Fall, Katie Lucey and their heroic consultant and volunteer network, in building out a more sustainable and risk calibrated exam question bank.

1. The personal inspiration from a model in perseverance; my friend, and new CAIA Charterholder, Morgan Unger.