CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials, has named industry veteran Thomas Robinson, CFA, the managing director of Americas operations, effective immediately. Dr. Robinson takes the regional helm after six years with CFA Institute, most recently as the managing director of education. Though CFA Institute has a 50-year history in the Americas, the organization recently established a distinct Americas region focused on a customized approach to meet regional needs. The Americas is the largest of the organization’s three global regions, and includes Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Dr. Robinson brings a strong background in both education and investment management to the role, as a former associate professor and director at the University of Miami and an independent financial adviser and tax consultant. Dr. Robinson’s former role will be assumed by John Bowman, CFA, and Stephen Horan, CFA, CIPM, who will serve as managing directors of education and new members of the organization’s leadership team.
“In the last six years, Tom has consistently delivered the highest standard of professional excellence that CFA Institute is known for, and made a significant impact on reaching new markets with our education programs,” said John Rogers, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute. “Tom offers the credibility and bold leadership we need to impact and engage our members, program candidates, and the investment profession at large in the Americas region.”
Dr. Robinson holds doctorate of accounting and master of accountancy degrees from Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management, and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to the CFA charter, Dr. Robinson holds Certified Financial Planner®, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, and Certified Public Accountant credentials.
Mr. Bowman and Dr. Horan to Lead Education Division
As managing directors, Mr. Bowman and Dr. Horan will succeed Dr. Robinson to provide strategic leadership for the education division’s two functional areas: educational content and examinations, and educational programs and program relationships. Mr. Bowman will assume oversight of CFA, CIPM, and Claritas program leadership, regulator and program recognition, university relations, scholarship programs, regional education initiatives, and special projects. He most recently served as the head of the Claritas Investment Certificate program for CFA Institute, and has analyst and investment management experience with State Street Global Advisors, Mellon Growth Advisors, and Zachs Investment Research.
Dr. Horan’s primary focus is in the areas of curriculum development, examination development, publications, candidate products, exam administration and security, and the CFA Institute Research Foundation. Prior to his role as the head of university relations and private wealth, Dr. Horan served as a professor of finance at St. Bonaventure University, a principal of Alesco Advisors, and a forensic economist in a private practice.
CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion for ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has more than 113,000 members in 140 countries and territories, including 102,000 CFA charterholders, and 137 member societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org.