From left Kristan Rowland and Emily Stent, both with William Blair’s Investment Management group, at the firm’s 2019 CFA recognition luncheon.
William Blair honored the firm's 161 CFA Charterholders at its annual luncheon held in Chicago on October 28.
Special recognition was given to employees who recently earned their chartered financial analyst designation by passing a series of exams, completing a work requirement, and agreeing to follow the CFA Institute's high ethical standards for investment professionals.
William Blair's most recent CFA Charterholders were applauded: Joe Aiken, a research associate with equity research; Ignas Grabauskas, a data analyst in the private wealth management group; Eric Kogut, a research associate with equity research; Kalpit Shah, a global research associate with the investment management group; Emily Stent, a global research associate in investment management; and Donald Yeomans, head of corporate & executive services for private wealth management consulting.
"All those who seek this designation are seeking excellence," Stephanie Braming, head of William Blair's Investment Management group, told the gathering. "William Blair's values of integrity and client focus align very well with the CFA Institute's mission and code of ethics."
William Blair has a long-standing connection with the CFA Institute, a global association of investment professionals, and the local CFA Society Chicago. The Chicago group is the oldest investment society in America, with over 5,000 members.
Kristan Rowland, an investment management research associate who serves as vice chair of CFA Chicago, also praised the group for their commitment and involvement in the society as a whole.
"Being active in the broader CFA community is one way we can demonstrate our commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards," Rowland said. "This is important in a world where we've seen trust erode broadly."