Press releases
October 23, 2025
Companies that adopted the code first express high levels of commitment
New York, March 22, 2022- CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, today announced that 16 organizations have become signatories to the new Voluntary Code on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Code for the Investment Profession in the United States and Canada ("DEI Code"). These organizations, the first in the industry to adopt the DEI Code since its launch in February, together represent some US$4,000 billion in deliberate assets, over US$2,500 billion in assets under management, and a leadership role in the sector.
The signatory organizations announced today are: BentallGreenOak, Callan, CalPERS, Cambridge Associates, Creative Investment Research, Crescent Capital, Fiera Capital Corporation, First Nations Financial Management Board, GMO, MassPRIM, Northern Trust, Payden & Rygel, SLC Management and Trident. CFA Institute became the first signatory to the DEI Code at the time of its launch, with CFA Society Boston and CFA Montreal also announcing today their adoption of the DEI Code.
Marg Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute, said:
"I congratulate these companies on their commitment. The DEI Code provides an action-oriented framework that helps companies engage in quantifiable and proven approaches that can help improve diversity, equity and inclusion within organizations, whatever their size or sector of activity. I'm delighted that so many of our industry leaders are signifying their commitment to the wider community, ensuring better working environments for their teams, and continuing a cycle of positive change for future generations."
The comments of the signatory organizations announced today are as follows:
Amy Price, President, BentallGreenOak:
"Our commitment to the principles of the CFA Institute's DEI Code reflects BentallGreenOak's deep and long-held belief that diversity and inclusion lead to better business outcomes, and that meaningful change in our industry is possible if we act urgently and collaboratively."
Lauren Mathias, CFA, Head of Diversity, Equity and Belonging, Callan :
"The framework that CFA Institute has developed for its DEI Code aligns perfectly with Callan's DEI initiatives. We're honored to be a signatory and to collaborate with one of the most influential institutions in our industry to drive meaningful and lasting change where it really matters."
Marlene Timberlake D'Adamo, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, CalPERS :
"CalPERS is proud to join leading financial companies as a signatory to the Code. The Code paves the way for greater inclusion in the financial services sector and, ultimately, better investment returns. It is consistent with CalPERS' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and supports the industry and the talent that reflects the mosaic of California public employees we serve."
Melinda Wright, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cambridge Associates :
"Cambridge Associates represents a "volunteer collective": people who want to see change and are committed to being part of it. We want our business to make a significant impact and exceed our customers' expectations. Diversity, equity and inclusion, when done right, help achieve these business goals. Becoming a signatory to the Code is an example of the incredibly thoughtful work that goes into creating meaningful impact."
Jeanne W. Wolf, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, CFA Society Boston :
"CFA Society Boston has been at the forefront of DEI since the founding of our Women's Initiative in 2015. Since then, we've collaborated with our member companies to recruit diverse talent to our industry. We are proud of the instrumental contribution of our local society leaders to the creation of the CFA Institute DEI Code. CFA Society Boston is committed to promoting the Code within our local market to ensure we build an inclusive and equitable investment profession, both in Boston and around the world."
Odrée Ducharme, CFA, Chairman of the Board, CFA Montréal :
"CFA Montreal is very proud to be one of the first organizations to sign the CFA Institute Code of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. As a member organization of the CFA Institute, CFA Montréal considers itself an ambassador of these fundamental concepts within the investment industry and the financial community in general. Our adherence to this Code is a strong testament to our role as an agent of change, and represents the commitment of our Board of Directors, employees and volunteers to translate the Code's six core principles into concrete, transformative action."
William Michael Cunningham, Founder and CEO, Creative Investment Research:
"Research tells us that strong diversity performance correlates with strong financial performance. At Creative Investment Research, we are pleased to be among the first organizations to sign the DEI Code for Investment Professionals, which will enable many other organizations to offer the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion not only to employees, but more importantly to amateur investors."
Mark Attanasio, Senior Partner, Crescent Capital:
"One of the pillars of Crescent's culture is the importance we place on talent development. We firmly believe that talent is equally distributed across all populations and communities, and that an inclusive and collegial work environment fosters the development of all. On behalf of Crescent, I am proud to be a signatory to the CFA Institute's DEI Code, which we believe provides the roadmap our industry needs to make tangible positive change."
Jean-Philippe Lemay, Global President and CEO, Fiera Capital Corporation :
"At Fiera Capital, diversity of thought and perspective fuels our ability to create innovative investment solutions and efficiently allocate capital, promoting sustainable prosperity for all our stakeholders. Our vision is aligned with the CFA Institute's Code of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to which we are proud to be among the first signatories. We intend to play an important leadership role on the path to a more diverse and inclusive investment industry, and are committed to continuing to effect positive and meaningful change within our organization and the communities we serve and support around the world."
Geordie Hungerford, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Financial Management Board :
"The First Nations Financial Management Board works with First Nations to build their capacity in financial, administrative and asset management. Our commitment to the six core principles of the CFA Institute's Code of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is realized through our people. We are proud that 57% of our staff identify as Aboriginal, and that 50% of our management team are women. Adopting a DCI human resources strategy ensures that we continually meet the needs of our staff and First Nations communities across Canada, to create a legacy for generations to come."
Scott Hayward, President and CEO, GMO :
"GMO has always valued diverse perspectives and nurtures a deep commitment to respecting and celebrating differences. Recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is emblematic of our culture. We know that using multiple points of view to solve investment problems leads to better results for our clients. The pursuit of these viewpoints also leads to stronger employee commitment. Through our commitment to the DEI Code, we strive to deepen social awareness within GMO and accelerate these key priorities across our industry."
Michael G. Trotsky, CFA, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, MassPRIM :
"Commitment to diversity and inclusion must come from the top; this Code is based on principles that provide best practice, sets out guidance on the subject and represents an important issue for companies that say they are ready and willing to improve. In my more than 10 years with PRIM, I have seen the impact of the cultural changes made to our organization to foster a diverse and inclusive environment. By adopting this code, signatories can lead our industry to be more inclusive and ensure the trust of employees, partners and members of the general public."
Shundrawn Thomas, President, Northern Trust Asset Management:
"Northern Trust Asset Management is proud to be among the first to adopt and sign the CFA Institute's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Code. We believe that organizations demonstrating their commitment to corporate social responsibility, including the SIE principles, create greater value for the customers and communities we serve. That's why we foster a culture of diversity and inclusion, with a commitment to recruiting, retaining and promoting a high-caliber workforce."
Joan A. Payden, CFA, Founder and CEO, Payden & Rygel:
"Since our inception 38 years ago, a focus on collaboration where competition is external rather than internal has enabled us to cultivate an inclusive culture where all voices are heard, respected and constructive debate is encouraged. At Payden, we believe that this cultural characteristic, combined with an emphasis on passion and commitment, enhances our relationships with our customers and enables us to attract the best talent, which in turn drives improved investment results. We recognize the importance of leadership in our industry, which suffers from under-representation of diverse groups, and we are committed to being part of solutions such as CFA Institute's DEI Code to bridge these gaps."
Steve Peacher, President, SLC Management:
"The CFA Institute is setting benchmarks that will drive lasting change within the asset management industry. The DEI Code will provide us with a framework to organize our efforts and share our commitments with our employees, our clients and the industry. We are honored to be one of the founding signatories and look forward to working in partnership with CFA Institute and our industry colleagues on this crucial initiative."
Eric Taylor, CFA, founder and CEO of Trident:
"As founder and CEO of Trident, a minority-owned and managed private equity firm, I believe it's important not only to promote DEI internally, but also to set an example for our industry. For this reason, and as a CFA charterholder, I am very proud that Trident is a signatory to the CFA Institute's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Code. On behalf of the entire Trident team, I thank CFA Institute for this important initiative; we look forward to sharing the best practices we've learned with other signatories and helping shape the initiative."
Signatories to the DCI Code commit to six measurable principles, and to accelerate and amplify the impact of their commitment by making the economic, commercial and moral case for diversity, equity and inclusion. Furthermore, in Canada, signatories commit to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Call to Action #92, and to fostering reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples. To view the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Code for Investment Professionals (U.S. and Canada) and accompanying documents, please visit : cfainstitute.org/deicode.
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For further information, please contact : PR@CFAInstitute.org.
About CFA Institute
The CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and qualifications. The organization prides itself on championing ethical behavior in the investment markets, and acts as a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. Our goal is to create an environment where investors' interests are paramount, markets operate at their best and economies thrive. There are over 180,000 CFA charterholders worldwide in 160 markets. The CFA Institute has nine offices worldwide and 160 local societies. To find out more, visit www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @CFAInstitute.
