As we approach the summer of 2024, people worldwide prepare to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Athletes have been training to compete in 32 sports, have achieved their required qualification rankings, and are counting down the days (and possibly even hours) until all their work comes to fruition. 

In the Olympics, those performing best in their sport get to stand on the podium and earn medals of gold, silver, and bronze. While most professionals won’t receive medals on a podium for their efforts and achievements, many ambitious professionals strive to be among the best in their profession. Within the investment profession, earning the CFA charter is often the first qualifier on this path. 

The CFA charter is often hailed as the gold standard in the investment industry. It represents both the commitment to earning the charter and the ongoing ethical imperative to work toward the betterment of the investment community. 

In this issue of The Analyst, we proudly celebrate seventeen years of CFA Society Toronto’s Mentorship Program. This visionary initiative has been instrumental in fostering the professional growth of our members. We also feature John Carswell, CFA, Founder, CEO, and CIO of Canso Investment Counsel, a true inspiration and one of the longest-serving charterholders, who shares his career highlights and insights. 

We also reflect on the progression of the CFA Program, CFA Society Toronto, and our publication The Analyst over the years. 

Our exploration of industry trends continues, shedding light on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the real estate business and the evolving role of digital infrastructure in asset management. In the second part of our series on social media influencers, “finfluencers,” we dive into the CFA Institute Research & Policy Center’s report, The Finfluencer Appeal: Investing in the Age of Social Media. 

Visit us online to explore exclusive coverage of financial due diligence in mergers and acquisitions and the impact of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions’ (OSFI’s) Draft Guideline E-23 Model Risk Management. Check back later this month for a recap of the 2024 annual charter recognition ceremony celebrating the Class of 2023. 

As we cheer on Canada and our favourite athletes from around the world this summer, let’s practice gratitude toward the investment community’s MVPs and think about how they all inspire us toward our personal gold standard. Have a wonderful and restful summer.