THIS PAST SUMMER, I attended a memorial service for a family member who lived to be 104 years old. Not only did this person have a life blessed with longevity, but she also remained sharp, good-humoured, and mentally fit until the very end. Through the many stories shared by friends and family at her celebration of life, several themes became apparent, most notably: the pursuit of personal curiosities, education, friendship, family, and making meaningful connections. Learning new languages, skills, and artistic mastery were part of her lifelong learning journey. She worked hard to balance these priorities, recognizing that sometimes one facet of your life needs to take precedence over another. 

Our charterholder profile highlights the career of a senior leader in operational risk management and anti-money laundering, Christopher Spencer, CFA. Spencer purposefully timed his educational paths to best support his commitments as a parent and partner to his wife, who was also pursuing education. These choices shaped and enhanced his career. In this feature interview, he looks inward to talk about taking the reins and managing your own career, as well as the vital role that mentorship has played in his career trajectory. 

This issue of The Analyst  focuses on education, highlighting key takeaways from CFA Society Toronto events held this past spring and summer. We explore the future role of active management in the investment industry, the growing importance of impact investing (and how impact investing differs from ESG investing). We gain a better understanding the underlying causes of inflation to determine how to hedge them. This issue also provides a thorough review of three key themes of CFA Institute’s Annual Global Summit, and our guest contributor highlights trends in digital assets and their implications for investment professionals.

This issue intends to rekindle your thirst for knowledge, perhaps sending you on a new branch of your own personal or professional journey. While education and life-long learning may not make up the entirety of the “secret sauce” for a long and fruitful life, it certainly adds a nice spice. Happy learning this autumn and beyond!