AFTER THREE YEARS of serving on CFA Society Toronto’s Board of Directors, I am delighted and humbled to step into the role of Board Chair. It’s a particularly exciting time to work on the Board. Thanks to the collective effort of our staff and volunteers, we are now the largest CFA society globally, with over 11,000 members. We also recently welcomed our new CEO, Fred Pinto, CFA, in October. Fred is well known to our Society, having previously served as President of the Board and having volunteered on the Board’s Governance and Nominations Committee for the past five years. Fred is an accomplished leader within the investment community, and we are excited to work with him in leveraging our position as the world’s largest CFA society for the benefit of our members and the broader investment community. 

During this time of transition, one thing has not changed: our focus on our members. We are working diligently to enhance the overall quality of our membership experience while focusing on our strategic objectives for 2022 through 2024. 

As representatives of the Society, we treat our stewardship position with the utmost responsibility as we strive to advance the Society’s sustainability and resilience to meet the demands of a post-pandemic world. We pursue programs, services, and initiatives that will result in growth and connectivity, as well as innovations that support and foster valuable connections with key stakeholders. We foster a strong pride in the CFA designation among members of the profession. 

As we enter this new chapter of CFA Society Toronto’s history, the Board and I wish to thank two special people who contributed greatly to the Society’s success: Past CEO Sue Lemon, CFA, and Past Board Chair Brenda King, CFA. 

As CEO for the past nine years until her retirement from the Society this year, Sue has been an exemplary and dedicated leader. She oversaw and executed several strategic plans, culminating in our growth to over 11,000 members. She also successfully led the Society through one of the most challenging chapters of our history: the COVID-19 pandemic. Sue’s leadership and stewardship has placed the Society in an enviable position within our industry. 

I also want to thank Brenda King, CFA, for the stellar example she set during her tenure as Board Chair. Her deep knowledge of the Society and her professional understanding of the industry have made her an invaluable asset to the Board. 

I am sending you all warm wishes this holiday season. I look forward to the new year ahead as we collaborate with the Board, staff, volunteers, and members to build upon our achievements.