Amherst, Mass.—The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Foundation, sponsored by the CAIA Association, today announced that six members of the 2011 and 2012 classes of “100 Women in Hedge Funds/CAIA Scholars” have earned the CAIA Charter, the leading alternative investment designation. The scholarship initiative, offered by the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Institute through the sponsorship of Pacific Alternative Asset Management Company, LLC (PAAMCO), was established to recognize and reward rising female talent in the alternative investment industry. This year’s CAIA Charter recipients include Karla Canavan, Bunge SA, Majlinda Kamberi, Larch Lane Advisors, Kathryn Kaminski, Royal Institute of Technology, Nimisha Patel, Segal Rogerscasey, Veronica Wong, Moon Capital Management, and Tenke Zoltani, Islan Asset Management.
“It is a privilege to welcome this talented and sophisticated class of women into our network,” said Mimi Drake, Chair of the 100 Women in Hedge Funds (100WHF) Association Board. “We are happy to see more of our scholars achieve this prestigious designation, and we cannot wait to watch them take on greater responsibilities within the world of alternative investments.”
Echoing this sentiment was Judy Posnikoff, co-founder and managing director of PAAMCO, "We are proud to honor the newest class of talented graduates. We are especially pleased that we were able to support them through their personal journeys to further their development as alternative investment professionals.”
The mission of the CAIA Foundation is to increase knowledge and attract talent in the alternative investment industry. Leading organizations, such as 100WHF and PAAMCO, have shown their support for this goal, as well as their recognition of the value of the CAIA Program, by partnering with the CAIA Foundation to effect substantial, positive change in alternative investment education. Establishing scholarship programs enables individuals who might otherwise not have access to the CAIA Program the ability to expand upon their knowledge of alternative investments.
CAIA Charter recipient Majlinda Kamberi, currently a research analyst at Larch Lane, said, "The CAIA examination curriculum broadened my understanding of alternative investments, particularly in the asset classes of private equity, real estate, and commodities, as well as in portfolio construction and risk management methodologies. CAIA membership has made me a more well-rounded investment professional, and brought me closer to my goal of becoming a portfolio manager."
The CAIA Association, now in its eleventh year, welcomes these six women into their fellowship of more than 6,000 members worldwide.
“This year’s recipients of the CAIA Charter truly are the best and brightest in their field and we are excited to help them go forth with greater impact and make a difference in the world of alternative investments,” said Thomas A. Porter, President of the CAIA Foundation.
The “100 Women in Hedge Funds/CAIA Scholars” program is open to 10 individuals per year who have an interest in pursuing a career in alternative investment management, with a specific focus on portfolio management. Each scholarship covers enrollment and registration fees for CAIA Level I and Level II exams, the CAIA Knowledge Series textbooks from Wiley Publishing and Institutional Investor, the Schweser CAIA Level I Premium Instruction Study Solution, and a one-year membership in the CAIA Association, and has a value of more than $5,000.
