NEW YORK, New York, AMHERST, Massachusetts, and IRVINE, California – May 8, 2018 – 100 Women in Finance (100WF), the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Foundation, and Pacific Alternative Asset Management Company, LLC (PAAMCO) today announce the ten recipients of the 100WF CAIA Charter Scholarships for 2018.
Scholarship recipients are women who have achieved advanced levels of success in various financial fields and have expressed strong interest in furthering their careers by obtaining the prestigious CAIA Charter. The scholarship program, administered by the CAIA Foundation, was established in 2011 in collaboration with the 100 Women in Finance Institute and 100WF Scholarship committee. The program is generously underwritten by PAAMCO in support of women seeking to earn the CAIA Charter designation, the highest standard of education in alternative investments. The 100WF CAIA Charter Scholarship is open annually to 100WF members globally who are interested in pursuing a career in alternative investment management with a specific focus on portfolio management. The program has awarded eighty scholarships since its inception.
“Announcing these scholarship recipients is always one of the highlights of our year,” said Judy Posnikoff, Co-Founder of PAAMCO. “Now on our eighth class of scholarship award winners, we have been able to see just how meaningful this program has been, and the impact it has had on so many women who have moved on to leadership positions in alternative investments.”
Combined with relevant professional experience and CAIA Association membership, the CAIA Charter is the global benchmark for alternative investment education. In order to obtain the CAIA Charter, candidates must complete a rigorous, self-directed education program that develops and promotes deep knowledge and expertise in alternative investing. Candidates who participate in the program are granted the CAIA Charter upon successful completion of two levels of qualifying exams and a current membership.
“100 Women in Finance once again thanks PAAMCO and CAIA for their support for this year’s scholarship winners. Participants in the scholarship program recognize that continuing education will enhance their on-the-job performance, as well as mark them as up-and-coming professionals and candidates for career advancement. At a time when companies and funds seek to recruit, retain and promote more women, earning the CAIA certification will distinguish the women we recognize today and lead to future contributions to their firms and the industry,” said Amanda Pullinger, Chief Executive Officer, 100 Women in Finance.
The 2018 100WF CAIA Charter Scholarship recipients are:
- Julie Abrams, Managing Director, Impact Investing Analytics (USA)
- Jennifer Csaszar, Sales & Marketing Associate, MG Stover & Co. (USA)
- Jackie Charlesworth, Operations & Fund Accounting Manager, Segantii Capital (Hong Kong)
- Yeonju Alpert, Investment Associate, Analytical Research (Switzerland)
- Gwenaelle Paris, Investment Manager, Rainbow Unlimited (Switzerland)
- Margaret Gouthier, Director, Business Development, POLARIS Investment Advisory AG (Switzerland)
- Claire Ferrara, Senior Analyst, Ridgetop Research (USA)
- Shelley Criswell, Investor Relations Associate, GAPSTOW CAPITAL PARTNERS (USA)
- Tu-Vi Nguyen, Investment Strategist, Standard Chartered Bank (Australia)
- Natalja Sesterikova, Senior Manager, PwC Singapore (Singapore)
“We are very excited to welcome this year’s scholarship recipients to our 2018 candidate pool, and we again thank our very important partners at 100 Women in Finance and PAAMCO, without whom this program would not be nearly the success it has become,” said William J. Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of CAIA.
The scholarship covers enrollment and first-time registration fees for the CAIA Level I and Level II exams, associated CAIA textbooks, preparation courses, and the CAIA Association membership fee for the first year. In order to be considered for the 100WF CAIA Charter Scholarship, applicants must be full members of 100 Women in Finance, not be eligible for program reimbursement by their employers, and have one year of professional experience in the alternative investment industry, among other specifications.
About 100 Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance (100women.org) is a global network of professionals in the finance and alternative investment industries working together to empower women at every stage of their careers. Through peer engagement, philanthropic, and educational initiatives, our more than 15,000 members are making connections and creating opportunities that help to advance careers and strengthen our field.
About CAIA Association
The CAIA Association (www.caia.org) is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education program uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The Association is best known for the CAIA Charter, an internationally-recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a Member of the CAIA Association, a global network of more than 8,700 alternative investment professionals located in more than 90 countries. CAIA also offers the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (”Fundamentals”), an introductory-level online course, designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. This program represents a natural extension of CAIA’s mission to provide solutions to specific market needs for alternative investment education. The CAIA Foundation partners with leading industry organizations to increase knowledge and talent in the field of alternative investing. Please visit http://foundation.caia.org for more information.
About PAAMCO
PAAMCO is a leading institutional investment firm dedicated to offering alternative investment solutions to the world’s preeminent investors. Since its founding in 2000, PAAMCO has focused on investing on behalf of its clients while striving to raise the standard for industry-wide best practices.
Headquartered in Irvine, California with a global footprint that extends across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, PAAMCO serves institutional investors including large public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, foundations, endowments, insurance companies and financial institutions. The firm is known for its completeAlphaTM approach to hedge fund investing which focuses on delivering performance from early-stage opportunities, controlling costs, and protecting client assets. In addition, it offers fixed income investment solutions through Horizons and long-only active equity investing in select emerging markets through PAAMCO Miren.
In June 2017, KKR and PAAMCO announced the completion of their strategic transaction to combine PAAMO and Prisma Capital Partners LP to create PAAMCO Prisma Holdings, LLC.
Media Contacts
100 Women in Finance: media@100women.org
CAIA Association: Deborah McLean, Managing Director, External Relations (413) 253-7373 or dmclean@caia.org
PAAMCO: Chris Sullivan, MacMillan Communications (212) 473-4442 or chris@macmillancom.com