Celebrating Leadership and Insights: A Journey with CFA Institute

As a director of CFA Society Australia, I am thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the CFA Institute Board of Governors in Sydney next week. This marks only the second time in the 62-year history of the CFA Program that the global board has convened in Australia, underscoring our nation's growing prominence in the global financial community. https://cfas.org.au/events/investment-leader-forum/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

We are honoured to have distinguished leaders such as Marg Franklin, CFA, President and CEO of CFA Institute, and Marshall Bailey, CFA, OBE, Chair of the Board of Governors, sharing their insights during this visit. Their leadership continues to inspire and guide the global CFA community. https://cfas.org.au/events/investment-leader-forum/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Reflecting on past engagements, I had the privilege of attending the CFA Institute Society Leadership Conference (SLC) in Montréal in October 2024, representing CFA Australia. Alongside fellow directors, I witnessed compelling presentations by both Marg Franklin and Marshall Bailey. Their discussions provided profound insights into advancing the CFA brand and program, emphasising the importance of adaptability and innovation in our evolving industry. The conference also offered a valuable platform to connect with peers, fostering a shared commitment to excellence in financial practices.

A highlight of the Montréal SLC was the keynote by Ajay Agrawal, a renowned economist and professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. He delved into themes from his work, "Power and Prediction," exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming decision-making processes. Agrawal emphasised that as AI reduces the cost of prediction and enhances its accuracy, the critical role of human judgement becomes even more pronounced. This distinction between prediction and judgement is pivotal, as it underscores the need for professionals to harness AI's capabilities while applying nuanced understanding and ethical considerations to decision-making.

For those interested in exploring these concepts further, Agrawal's book, "Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence," offers an in-depth analysis of AI's impact on various industries and the economy.

As we prepare for the upcoming board visit in Sydney, I am reminded of the invaluable experiences and knowledge gained from these interactions. They reinforce our collective mission to uphold the highest standards in the financial industry and to continually seek growth and innovation within the CFA community.

Note: For more insights into Ajay Agrawal's perspectives on AI and its economic implications, you might find this discussion enlightening:

Ajay Agrawal on the Economics of AI: Prediction Machines and Their Impact

Members of the CFA Society Australia Board in Montreal (L to R) - Michael Clancy (Chair), Jingmin Qian, Lisa Carroll (CEO), Louise Farmakis, Nga Pham, Rein van Rooyen, Ashley Kerfoot