CAIA Foundation

Our Mission.

At the center of innovation, creativity, and success are people. CAIA Foundation is focused on the biggest barriers to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive investment industry for the future. We pursue this vision with innovative ideas that leverage education, research, and advocacy. And we join forces with industry partners who share our passion, sense of urgency, and long-term commitment to progress.

With CAIA Members working across all alternative investment sectors, and many holding C-suite roles, we have a unique opportunity to build a profession where inclusivity is a reflex, not an initiative.

Including, Empowering, Investing

Programs & Scholarships.

CAIA/100 Women in Finance Scholars Program

Our inaugural scholarship program, launched in 2002 in partnership with 100 Women in Finance, provided extraordinary women from all corners of the world the opportunity to earn the CAIA. This program, made possible through generous funding from the Pacific Alternative Assessment Management Company (PAAMCO), became a model for what is now the Foundation’s mission to expand access to other under-represented groups in industry. 

Today many other industry leaders have joined the call for action to widen the funnel for women and other historically under-represented groups and make the industry more inclusive and equitable.  Our partnerships are growing around the world as we work to change lives through education.   

Milken Institute HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellowship Program.

We are proud to support the Milken Institute HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellowship Program through scholarships designed to introduce students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to the world of alternatives. HBCUs generate 25% of all bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields for Black students in the U.S. yet are often an overlooked source of talent for the asset management industry. The program provides an important pipeline that places diverse talent front and center by providing HBCU students with the knowledge, resources, mentoring, and support to succeed.

Wall Street Bound

CAIA Member Troy Prince spent 25-years in finance before leaving Wall Street to launch Wall Street Bound, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides access, prepares, and empowers young people from under-represented groups to be successful in financial services.  Founded in 2019, Wall Street Bound has emerged as a source for well-trained talent from non-traditional places. Curriculum that provides technical skills is matched with hand-on experience, mentoring, and social capital to enable diverse talent to reach their full potential. Through the CAIA partnership, students are provided exposure to alternative investments and scholarships to CAIA’s educational programs on the Unifi by CAIA™ learning platform.

Word and Deed.

With pride in the dualities of experience, the CAIA Foundation is guided by a Board of Directors who convey their respect for the multifaceted dimensions of the work at hand and serve to lead the Foundation mission.

 

CAIA Foundation Board of Directors

Hossein Kazemi, Treasurer

Ruth Carolan, Director

Brigette Lumpkins, CAIA, Director

 

The Future Beckons Us to What Comes Next.

We know that meaningful accomplishment is hard won — and that no one does it alone. At the CAIA Association, our history is remarkable, and our future is bright.

To advance our mission is to keep the connection alive. Engagement matters. Thanks to all that have already made real, the work of the CAIA Foundation. Join us with your partnership. Contact us at foundation@caia.org or call (413) 253-7373 to learn more.