NYSSA is pleased to announce the winners of the December 2010 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. Recipients were selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. All scholarship winners receive a free weekly review course from NYSSA and a credit allowance for additional learning materials from Schweser. In addition, CFA Institute will refund the CFA examination and registration fees (less a $225 exam registration administrative fee). NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York area CFA candidates of all levels.
DECEMBER 2010 CFA EXAM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Adnan Aslam graduated with honors from London’s University of Greenwich. He has more than 12 years of experience managing projects for technology and business development within a diverse range of industries that include investment banking, oil and gas, software development, academic, and nonprofit entities. After moving to the oil-rich Middle East, he started working for the world’s fourth-largest oil service company, Weatherford International. A few years later he moved to Europe where he worked in consulting and soon after joined the investment banking division of world’s largest bank Royal Bank of Scotland. “CFA will serve as a launching pad for me in this dynamic industry by providing me with a solid understanding of the various investment tools and with unwavering ethical values.” He aspires to become an investment advisor for the tech and energy sector.
Josh Bernstein has worked in various areas of the investment world. He was employed at a real estate investment firm that focused on development and acquisition, and was part of a team responsible for equity investments valued at more than $1 billion. He is working toward the development of a multifaceted firm to manage investments in multiple asset classes for institutions and high-net-worth investors. “The CFA designation is the best professional designation for selecting professionals with a true commitment to competence, ethics, and holding the investment industry in the best light.”
Ronak Brahmbhatt graduated with a BS in accounting and finance from SUNY Plattsburgh, where he served as the VP of finance for the student association with a budget of about $1 million. He is in the final semester of completing a MS degree in leadership studies from SUNY Plattsburgh. He passed the CPA exam and received the Wall Street Journal award while pursuing a finance degree. He worked as an auditor for KPMG for a year and interned in Tanzania. “I believe earning the CFA charter is a symbol of dedication and excellence in the profession. It helps build confidence when working with clients, while adhering to strict ethical standards. Last but not least, you join an elite group of professionals in the field.”
Nick Iuliucci recently graduated from SUNY Albany with a BS in financial analysis. He was involved in the student-run Business Investment Group at SUNY where he managed a real-money portfolio of $100,000. He interned with Fenimore Asset Management, a $2 billion mutual fund, in the summer of 2009 as a research analyst. He currently works at FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, as an associate examiner. “I am studying for the CFA Charter because it will not only teach me an incredible amount that I do not already know from my education and experience, but it will also represent a culmination of all the work I have done to get to the point of holding the charter. The knowledge and credibility that comes along with the designation is remarkable.” He aspires to have a career in investment management.
Balaji Sethuraman has been a structured finance professional for the past 15 years and has expertise in risk management, credit analysis, and surveillance of diversified assets. He has headed teams in risk managing asset-backed securities portfolios and has spearheaded the credit mitigation/remediation of various esoteric assets. After years of working for various structured finance institutions, he has taken time to pursue the CFA charter, which he thinks will be an important milestone in his career. He also holds an MBA in finance from University of Hartford, Connecticut, as well as undergraduate degrees in business commerce from Madras University, India. “I am very confident that the CFA charter will further embellish my portfolio risk management skills and will also enhance my understanding of various critical financial products of the present-day markets.”
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