Awards presented at the Embrace the Challenge event on February 12, 2025
(TORONTO, ON) January 27, 2025 – CFA Society Toronto is pleased to announce the 2025 winners of its Undergraduate Finance & Economics Awards. Recognizing exceptional third- and fourth-year undergraduate students in finance and economics across Ontario, these awards foster and encourage the next generation of investment and finance professionals by highlighting academic excellence, extracurricular leadership, and a commitment to shaping the future of the investment profession.
“At CFA Society Toronto, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of finance and investment professionals,” says Fred Pinto, CFA, ICD.D, CEO of CFA Society Toronto. “Our Undergraduate Finance & Economics Awards recognize exceptional students who are poised to embark on their professional journeys and help shape the future of finance.”
pen to third- and fourth-year finance or economics students enrolled at Ontario universities, CFA Society Toronto’s Undergraduate Finance & Economics Awards recognize students who excel in academics and demonstrate leadership through volunteering, internships, and extracurricular activities. Applicants must meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 and submit a resume, transcripts, and a personal essay. A judging panel of industry professionals thoroughly reviews each application, with top finalists invited for interviews. In each year level, first-place winners receive a $3,000 award, second-place winners receive $2,000, and third-place winners receive $1,000.
This year’s cohort embodies remarkable resilience, global-mindedness, and a strong commitment to giving back. Many overcame cultural or financial barriers, gained exposure through internships at top-tier firms, and spearheaded mentoring initiatives to foster inclusion on their campuses. Their entrepreneurial spirit, academic excellence, and engagement with real-world finance challenges underscore a shared passion for finance and aptitude for success in the industry.
2025 CFA Society Toronto Undergraduate Finance & Economics Award Winners:
Third-Year Award Recipients
1st Place: Ravneet Sehmbi, Queen’s University
Key Achievements: Awarded a full scholarship from Birch Hill Equity Partners; interned in sales and trading at National Bank; upcoming investment banking internship at Evercore, New York City. Demonstrates strong leadership and community engagement through mentorship roles at Queen’s and active involvement in Limestone Capital.
2nd Place: Jane Jia, Queen’s University
Key Achievements: Serves as a Portfolio Manager in Limestone Capital, conducting equity research and leading workshops for first-year students. Involved in the Queen’s University Finance Network (QUFN), where she organized events to bridge the knowledge gap in finance.
3rd Place: Harper Zhang, University of Waterloo
Key Achievements: Adapted to a new culture in 2019, honing resilience and teamwork skills. Completed a co-op with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, focusing on financial reporting risk and control. Actively contributes to the University of Waterloo Finance Association and other extracurricular initiatives.
“I was impressed with the enthusiasm that the applicants have expressed in their application packages,” says Otto Yung, CFA, 3rd Year Judge and Committee Member of the Awards & University Relations Committee, CFA Society Toronto. “It is great to see the up-and-coming generation of professionals entering the industry and the values expressed about the importance of giving back to the community.”
Fourth-Year Award Recipients
1st Place: Alyssa Choi, Ivey Business School at Western University
Key Achievements: Developed a passion for value investing through the Western Investment Club; interned at CPP Investments, Goldman Sachs, and Blackstone. Dedicated to championing inclusion, creating Women-in-WIC and Diversity-in-WIC programs to support underrepresented students.
2nd Place: Joseph Xie, Queen’s University
Key Achievements: Balances intellectual rigor with leadership as Chief Strategy Officer at Queen’s University Investment Counsel. Completed a study abroad at HEC Paris and gained experience in cross-border transactions at Moelis & Company in Los Angeles.
3rd Place: Ronis Goel, University of Waterloo
Key Achievements: Participated in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, earning a Global Champion title. Held roles in the School of Accounting and Finance Student Investment Fund, mentoring younger students and refining investment strategies. Interned in Equity Research at Onex Corporation.
“I had the honour to serve as one of the judges for this year’s Undergraduate Finance and Economics Award,” says Stephanie Poon, CFA, 4th Year Judge and Chair of the Awards & University Relations Committee, CFA Society Toronto. “I am extremely impressed by the strong qualifications of all the candidates. It was indeed a tough decision for the judges to determine the final award winners. I am proud of the students, and I am sure they will do very well when they start their career journey.”
Awards Presentation
The winners will receive their awards at the Embrace the Challenge event on February 12, 2025, at RBC, 16 York Street in Toronto. This full-day program showcases three student competitions that highlight how emerging finance professionals leverage knowledge, ethics, and passion to shape the future of the investment industry. Sponsored by RBC Global Asset Management, this event includes:
- CFA Societies Canada Ethics Challenge (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.): Teams demonstrate integrity and critical thinking by solving ethical dilemmas in real-world investment scenarios.
- CFA Institute Research Challenge (3:00–6:30 p.m.): University teams present equity research to a panel of industry judges, showcasing analytical skills and investment recommendations.
- Awards Reception (6:00–8:00 p.m.): Winners of each competition will be announced, in addition to the winners of the CFA Society Toronto Undergraduate Finance & Economics Awards.
For more information about this event, including how to register to attend, please visit: https://cvent.me/LERblO.
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About CFA Society Toronto
CFA Society Toronto is the world's largest Society of CFA® Charterholders, dedicated to supporting the professional and business development of more than 11,500 members. With a focus on education, networking, and thought leadership, CFA Society Toronto empowers finance professionals to excel in a dynamic and competitive global market. Founded in 1936, CFA Society Toronto is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. For more information, visit cfatoronto.ca.
Chartered Financial Analyst® and CFA® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
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