AS 2021 WRAPS UP and we prepare for what 2022 may bring, to say that the first two years of this decade didn’t go as planned would be an understatement. What we can say is that adaptation, change management, ethics, and empathy have been at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

In this issue of The Analyst, we examine what the new hybrid return to work model might mean for various roles. We provide a thorough summary of CFA Institute’s “Future of Work in Investment Management” study as it relates to member sentiments around organizational culture shifts, professional ethics, and the future of client engagement. We also provide guidance on how to mentally prepare ourselves and the staff we manage as we navigate toward the “new normal” of a hybrid work environment.

In other articles, we consider best practices in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, studying the evolution of the movement at its roots, as well as CFA Institute’s Disclosure Standards and their approach to managing the risk of greenwashing to foster trust in the investment industry. We also explore Indigenous investing and offer some thoughts on how societal change can be achieved through responsible investing.

Our charterholder profile highlights the career of Vikram Iyer, CFA, a Senior Analyst at HOOPP, who reflects on his successes and career path, just ten years after entering the Toronto investment scene. Iyer discusses pivotal moments in his career, including discovering his ongoing passion for mentorship and teaching.

In early October, CFA Society Toronto hosted the first Annual Forecast Virtual “Dinner” featuring keynote speaker Niall Ferguson, internationally renowned historian, academic, author, and filmmaker. Ferguson’s historical expertise provides a unique perspective on important global and financial issues, relating present dynamics back to trends throughout history. We also celebrate the research by the winners of the 2021 Hillsdale Investment Management – CFA Society Toronto Research Award.

With this issue, we leave you with a plethora of ideas and information on topics that touch on trust and ethics, bringing you into 2022 with an inquisitive and thoughtful mindset that is ready to take on the challenges of next year.