My CFA® Charter Story

Discover the fascinating journey of Mark Temnikov, CFA, who transitioned from an aspiring surgeon to a passionate finance professional, as he shares his experience with the CFA Institute Research Challenge. Learn how Mark honed his skills in data analysis and problem-solving, key elements in both medicine and finance, and his inspiring story of pursuing the CFA Program.

Not only did the CFA Program help Mark land an internship in Hong Kong, but it also allowed him to apply his university studies to real-world situations. He shares his enchanting story of discovering his CFA Level III results in the same country and hotel where he first learned about the program a decade ago. Mark also talks about his ongoing involvement with the CFA Institute Research Challenge, CFA Society Switzerland, and his pursuit of a Certificate in ESG Investing. Don't miss the inspiring story of a journey from medicine to finance and everything in between!

(0:00:04) - CFA Institute Research Challenge Experience (13 Minutes)

Lauren McAdams chats with Mark about his journey from wanting to become a doctor to ultimately finding his passion in finance. He discovered a passion for data analysis and problem solving, which is a key element of both medicine and finance. They discuss how Mark heard about the CFA Institute Research Challenge and decided to become involved. After preparing for 12 months, Mark went headfirst into the challenge, eventually landing him in the global final. Mark also talks about the experience of preparing for each round and how it has helped him in his career in investment management.

(0:12:39) - From CFA Internship to Charterholder (6 Minutes)

Mark shares his journey from wanting to become a doctor to a career in finance. He was inspired to pursue the CFA Program in order to land an internship in Hong Kong and how the program was beneficial in helping him to apply his university studies in the real world. Mark recounts his magical story of finding out his CFA level III results in the same country and hotel that he learned about the program ten years prior. He also talks about his ongoing involvement with the CFA Institute Research Challenge and CFA Society Switzerland and how he is now pursuing the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.

Anil Ghelani, CFA, head of passive investments and products at DSP Mutual Fund discusses his experience as a volunteer for the CFA Society India, where he has been involved for over a decade, serving as a director and former vice chairman. Anil explains that he initially joined to network and learn from senior colleagues in the industry, but also found the experience fulfilling and rewarding, particularly in terms of the learning and experience gained, which has helped him in his professional role.

Alexandra Smedoiu, CFA, partner at Deloitte and president of CFA Society Romania, speaks to Lauren McAdams about her experience earning the CFA® charter, the value of the charter and the CFA community, the activities of CFA Society Romania, and its impact in the markets.

Achieve one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession: Become a Chartered Financial Analyst®. As a CFA® charterholder, you will have the knowledge and the skills to thrive in the competitive investing industry. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/CFAProgram.   Learn on the go with CFA Institute. Explore our range of online courses about trending investment areas such as climate finance, data science and cryptocurrency. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/OnlineCourses.   Thank you for listening, if you enjoyed this episode please tell a friend and be sure to leave a review. To find the full line-up of CFA Institute podcasts, visit https://cfainst.is/podcasts.

As a senior relationship manager at Polen Capital Management, Taneka Lawrence, CFA, works with due diligence analysts in national accounts. Earning the CFA charter while starting a family was tough, but the knowledge and skills gained from the CFA Program give Taneka confidence in client meetings, and the CFA designation gives her credibility with peers and clients.

Achieve one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession: Become a Chartered Financial Analyst®. As a CFA® charterholder, you will have the knowledge and the skills to thrive in the competitive investing industry. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/CFAProgram.   Learn on the go with CFA Institute. Explore our range of online courses about trending investment areas such as climate finance, data science and cryptocurrency. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/OnlineCourses.   Thank you for listening, if you enjoyed this episode please tell a friend and be sure to leave a review. To find the full line-up of CFA Institute podcasts, visit https://cfainst.is/podcasts.

Malak Kraisha, CFA, shares her experience of earning the CFA charter during the COVID-19 pandemic to become one of the youngest CFA charterholders in the Middle East, and how she leverages the knowledge she has gained from the charter in her role as a venture capitalist in the fintech space.

Achieve one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession: Become a Chartered Financial Analyst®. As a CFA® charterholder, you will have the knowledge and the skills to thrive in the competitive investing industry. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/CFAProgram.   Learn on the go with CFA Institute. Explore our range of online courses about trending investment areas such as climate finance, data science and cryptocurrency. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/OnlineCourses.   Thank you for listening, if you enjoyed this episode please tell a friend and be sure to leave a review. To find the full line-up of CFA Institute podcasts, visit https://cfainst.is/podcasts.

Hear how the CFA® Program helped Gene Gard, CFA, chief investment officer at Telarray, pivot from submarine tours in the US Navy to a career in finance, and how involvement with CFA societies supported his growth in the finance industry in this episode of My CFA Charter Story.  

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Achieve one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession: Become a Chartered Financial Analyst®. As a CFA® charterholder, you will have the knowledge and the skills to thrive in the competitive investing industry. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/CFAProgram.   Learn on the go with CFA Institute. Explore our range of online courses about trending investment areas such as climate finance, data science and cryptocurrency. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/OnlineCourses.   Thank you for listening, if you enjoyed this episode please tell a friend and be sure to leave a review. To find the full line-up of CFA Institute podcasts, visit https://cfainst.is/podcasts.

Season @ launches Jan 25th, 2023. 

My CFA® Charter Story returns with double the hosts and two episode formats. Join returning host Sibil Patri, CFA, as she guides us through inspirational CFA Program journeys in diverse places like Nigeria, Romania, and Jordan. New host, Lauren McAdams, will be talking to industry leaders about the doors opened to them as a result of earning the charter and joining the CFA society community. 

Subscribe or follow to get updates when new episodes are released.

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Achieve one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession: Become a Chartered Financial Analyst®. As a CFA® charterholder, you will have the knowledge and the skills to thrive in the competitive investing industry. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/CFAProgram. 

Learn on the go with CFA Institute. Explore our range of online courses about trending investment areas such as climate finance, data science and cryptocurrency. Learn more at https://cfainst.is/OnlineCourses.

Thank you for listening, if you enjoyed this episode please tell a friend and be sure to leave a review. To find the full line-up of CFA Institute podcasts, visit https://cfainst.is/podcasts.

A few broken bones on a fateful bike ride were not enough to break Santiago Castillo’s spirit. Upon arriving to the United States as part of his semester abroad, Santiago used his time recovering to dive deeper into his love of finance, including becoming a teacher’s assistant while he was actively pursuing his MBA. Oh, and he managed to find time to join a rock band.   Santiago’s endless curiosity ultimately led him to the CFA Charter. Hear how Santiago’s travels from Ecuador to Spain and beyond influenced his passion and decision to pursue studying for the CFA charter and why he believes it was ultimately a better decision than earning his MBA. If you have a compelling story about your journey to earning the CFA charter, we want to hear from you. Let us know why you would be a good guest on an upcoming episode.

Imagine preparing for one of the most notoriously difficult exams without any kind of support or mentorship. That’s exactly what Attila Köksal was up against in his home country of Turkey when he set his sights on becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst®. Back in the mid 90’s, there were only a handful of candidates in his part of the world. Without much support system, he studied constantly. Despite having difficulty with the first level, he was able to push ahead. Learn how Attila beat the odds to become Turkey’s first CFA® charterholder. You can follow @AttilaKoksal on Twitter or find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/attilakoksal/. Have a compelling story about your journey to earning the CFA charter? We want to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] so we can explore telling your story on a future My Charter Story episode.

While some kids spent their summer days reading comic books or playing ball with friends, Michael Hakerem was reading about the S&P 500. To say finance was a hobby would be an understatement. Michael set his sights on a career in finance at an early age, but it was not a straight path to success. Through some unforeseen obstacles and challenges, Michael leveraged his personal and diverse social network as well as his experiences growing up to prevail. Be sure to listen to Michael’s journey from sweeping up cigarette butts at Busch Gardens to launching his own investment firm. You can follow Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhakerem.

Have a compelling story about your journey to earning the CFA charter? We want to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] so we can explore telling your story on a future My Charter Story episode.