Kicking Off FY26: Highlights and the Road Ahead

In this special kickoff episode of Connexions: SLC Live, Randi Tolber, CFA, Julie Emerson, and Liz Oakland reflect on the past year’s accomplishments across CFA Institute’s global network of societies and look ahead to what’s next. From advocacy efforts and industry conferences in emerging markets to innovative and impactful projects, the conversation shines a spotlight on how societies are creating member value worldwide.

The episode also previews key priorities for FY26, including how we’re advancing our membership strategy, how we’re developing the long-term funding model, and how we’re enabling the network for success through technology and training.

Our hosts close with a discussion about the regional Society Leadership Conferences, the theme, “The Evolution of Value,” and how attendees can make the most of their time onsite.

Chapters

00:00 Kickoff and Reflections on Past Achievements 05:00 Society Enablement and New Initiatives 10:00 Future Directives and Membership Changes 12:33 Society Leadership Conferences and Networking Opportunities

Tom Berry, Chief Marketing Officer, and Ivy Xu, Senior Director of Product Marketing & Customer Experience will explore the future priorities for Marketing & Customer Experience, including analytics, channels, and experiences. Discover what we've learned about our customers over the past year and how it's shaping our approach. We'll also dive into insights from our brand refresh and discuss how we're adding value for charterholder members. Plus, get top tips for societies on building a strong brand together.  

What does successful employer and institutional outreach look like? How can societies and CFA Institute work together to pursue our mission? Join Dana Day, Managing Director of Business Development at CFA Institute and Syn Nee Chow, Executive Director of CFA Society Malaysia as they discuss the latest trends from employers and institutions and how our portfolio meets their needs. Hear case studies highlighting successful partnerships between CFA Institute and societies that can serve as a model for your own outreach.  

Tune in as Delme Thompson, Head, Global Event Solutions at CFA Institute and Fred Pinto, CFA, CEO of CFA Society Toronto dive into how audience preferences have shifted post-pandemic and the innovations they’re seeing in live and virtual events. Hear what's working (and what's not) at the local level, and how programming has grown their audience base. Plus, get their top tips for creating world-class events. Delme will share what to expect at the return of CFA Institute’s flagship conference in May. 

Join Chris Wiese, CFA, Managing Director of our Education division for a deeper dive into the latest research on adult learning and to see how the CFA Program and our certificates portfolio are evolving to meet the needs of diverse learners. He will discuss the opportunities we see in AI and community engagement. Gain valuable tips for incorporating these insights into the PL-eligible content and exam prep resources you develop. 

Chris references this video in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySpuPMzfz0&t=59s

Join a discussion with Sarah Maynard, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CFA Institute for a brief background on the DEI Code. She’ll be joined by Jo-Ann Hajdamacha, Executive Director of CFA Montreal, who will touch on what it took for her society to become a signatory. Then, hear from Lisa Carroll, Executive Director of CFA Society Australia, for a discussion on how the code was adapted to reflect the needs of the Australian market.  

Explore how the conference theme, “Inspiring Innovation: Shaping Tomorrow Together,” is reflected in the priorities for Global Society Relations and Operations with Julie Emerson, Head of Global Society Relations, and Stephanie Field, Senior Director, Global Society Operations. Delve into plans for global training, advancements in our tech offerings, and how we see the support model evolving. Learn how to enable collaboration and content sharing within the network through webinars and shared services, and don’t miss our guests’ insights into quick wins for societies to implement this year, based on a global perspective across segments and regions. 

Dive into the workings of the Presidents Council with Presidents Council Chair Pieter van Putten, CFA, and Board of Governors member Jennifer Garbowicz, CFA, CIPM. Pieter provides an overview of the Council's composition, subregional representation, and how PCRs collaborate with CFA Institute. Our guests highlight the Council's priorities for the year and the benefits for societies. Finally, Pieter and Jen reflect on the qualities of an effective PCR and their personal takeaways from their volunteer service.  

An engaging fireside chat hosted by Odrée Ducharme, CFA, Presidents Council Representative, featuring president and CEO Marg Franklin, CFA, and our new Board of Governors Chair, Marshall Bailey, CFA.  

Connections SLC Live! That’s right—your go-to podcast for society leaders and support staff is back for its third season, and this time, we’re recording live from Montreal at the Global Society Leadership Conference.

This season, we're bringing you all the latest news, info, and insider updates straight from the Global SLC. Whether you're in the office or on the go, stay connected with everything happening in a convenient, easy-to-digest format!

So, don’t miss out! Subscribe or follow the podcast feed to get it sent right to your device starting on October 17th.