The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the June 2012 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York–area CFA candidates. Recipients are selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. Scholarship winners receive discounted registration fees and Schweser study materials, and free NYSSA CFA weekly review.
Next spring, applications for December 2012 will be accepted. Applicants do not have to be a member of NYSSA, but are encouraged to join. Visit the scholarship page for more details.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Vy Bui, a CFA Level II Candidate, graduated with honors from both The University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and Pace University with an MBA in Financial Management. She passed all four parts of the Uniform CPA Examination on the first try while pursuing her MBA degree. Vy has worked in various internships and full-time positions within the financial services industry. She believes that pursuing the CFA designation will benefit her significantly, as it provides additional tools, knowledge, analytical skills, and ethical grounding which will help her succeed in the financial world.
Andrew Helfont, a CFA Level II Candidate, graduated from the University at Albany in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in financial analysis. As an undergrad, Andrew served as co-manager of UA's student-run long-only equity portfolio. He also interned at Merrill Lynch’s Private Wealth Asset Management Division, where he assisted a team of financial advisors. He is currently an Investment Analyst at Executive Monetary Management, an investment advisory firm in New York City. “To me, the CFA charter symbolizes an analyst's dedication to the investment world. During the course of my studies, I want to obtain as much information as I can to help me improve my analytical skills, as well as develop my knowledge and understanding of the financial markets,” he said.
Matthew McCown, a CFA Level I Candidate, is an Associate at Belenos Capital Management, which is a private asset management firm specializing in hedge fund replication and other quantitative strategies. Prior to joining Belenos, Matthew worked with the financial engineering team on the structured products desk in the Cross Asset Solutions Division, which issues structured notes linked to equities, commodities, rates, and credit. Matthew earned his BA at New College of Florida and his MA at Humboldt Universität in Berlin. “I am confident that the CFA curriculum will be indispensable in my professional transition from sell-side to buy-side opportunities in the investment world,” he noted.
Leilanee Olaño, a Level II candidate, graduated in 2010 from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, where she studied Applied Mathematical Finance. Currently, she is pursuing an MA in International Political Economy and Development (IPED) from Fordham University. Her summer internship with UBS and studies abroad in South Africa impressed on her the importance of timely information and market integrity and greatly bolstered her understanding of the Code and Standards. When asked about the CFA Charter, she said, “Although expertise and technical know-how can be attained at work, I believe that knowledge of the standards and best practices in the industry that the CFA curriculum provides are indispensable to financial industry participants. Working toward the CFA Charter will also distinguish me from all the other graduating students seeking employment in the competitive financial sector.”
Meagan Thompson, a CFA Level II Candidate, is currently a PhD student at Columbia University in the City of New York, where she also earned her Master of Science degree. Previously, she graduated from Harvard University with both a Bachelor of Arts (secondary field in Economics) and a Master of Arts degree. "As a relative newcomer to the financial services industry, I have just submitted applications for my first employment opportunities in the field. Through the pursuit of the CFA designation, I hope to further develop my in-depth knowledge of financial instruments and markets as well as clarify my ethical obligations and guide my moral decision-making in the investment world," she said.
Partial scholarships were also awarded to Oleksii Liman (Level I), Manu Srivareerat (Level II) and Marvin Antoine Francois (Level II).
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