Asia Alternatives’ Melissa Ma and Albourne Partners’ Simon Ruddick add their voices to board of world’s leader in alternative investment education
AMHERST, MASS. (August 10, 2015) – The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a global leader in alternative investment education, has added two new members to its Board of Directors, it was announced today.
Melissa Ma, co-founder and Managing Partner of Asia Alternatives, and Simon Ruddick, a co-founder of investment consulting firm Albourne Partners, are both joining CAIA’s board. They were nominated and unanimously elected and will serve a two-year term.
“We are thrilled to welcome Simon and Melissa to the CAIA board,” said Jane Buchan, Ph.D., CAIA, Chairwoman of CAIA’s board and Chief Executive Officer at PAAMCO. “Both are true visionaries who have made lasting contributions to the alternative investment industry. Their ideas and insights will provide further fuel for our continued growth and will support CAIA’s role as a global thought leader.”
The CAIA Association offers the only credential focused on the alternative investment space and has become the global benchmark for alternative investment education. The CAIA Charter, an educational designation uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments, is granted upon successful completion of two levels of qualifying exams combined with relevant professional experience and joining the association membership.
“As investment solutions in the alternatives space continue to become more targeted and accessible to all types of investors, I have always believed that education and high ethical standards must be the starting point for asset owners, regardless of their size and sophistication,” said Ms. Ma. “The mission of CAIA aligns with this view, and I am delighted to be joining the board at a very interesting and exciting time for our industry.”
“CAIA has made a huge contribution to the understanding of our industry and to the level of understanding within our industry,” said Mr. Ruddick. “I am both proud and honoured to help in any way that I can.”
With 7,700 Members worldwide, the CAIA Association has grown rapidly since its inception in 2002. In 2014, CAIA launched the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (“Fundamentals”), a 20-hour introductory-level online course, designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. The early success of this program signaled a continued strong need in the marketplace for practical and relevant solutions in alternative investment education.
“In only 13 years, the CAIA Charter became a required credential to be considered an expert in alternatives, and our Fundamentals program quickly took hold as the educational solution for RIAs, independent broker dealers, regulators, and large wirehouses,” said William J. Kelly, Chief Executive Officer at CAIA. “CAIA has become the trusted voice, resource, and sounding board in the alternative space. Adding Melissa and Simon to the board significantly strengthens this position and expands our knowledge base as we create deeper connections in existing markets, expand into new markets, and partner with many of the world’s finest universities, associations, and industry leaders.”
The Association now supports 22 global Chapters in financial centers around the world, including new Chapters in Cayman Islands, China, Australia and Texas, as well as in the form of a Virtual Chapter, that brings together members from far-flung locations in more than 60 countries. CAIA sponsors more than 120 educational and networking events each year and has 32 academic partnerships with leading universities, including 13 in the Americas, 10 in EMEA, and nine in Asia Pacific.
About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro-gram 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 7,700 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 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.
To learn more about the CAIA Association, contact Deborah McLean (413) 253-7373 or dmclean@caia.org. For more information on the CAIA Charter, please visit caia.org.
