A Message from Margaret Franklin, CFA 

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the CFA Institute Research Foundation Review for 2019.

Although I recently took on the role of president and CEO of CFA Institute, I have long been affiliated with this organization—starting when I earned my charter, of course. Throughout the years, I have always marveled at the convening power and thought leadership emanating from our organization.

It is through the Research Foundation that we deliver thought-provoking and groundbreaking research that helps investment management professionals perform their roles better and stay abreast of the latest developments in our field. I have assumed this role at an interesting point in time for our industry: Our roles are growing more complex, regulations around the world are evolving, and financial technology continues to change the equation.

Some things do not change, however. Fundamental investment analysis remains central to what we do. It is easy to be distracted by the hype around fintech and artificial intelligence (AI), and the future certainly holds great promise for how they can contribute to the investment decisionmaking process. Nonetheless, we see a future in which technology and AI augment human intelligence, not replace it.

In this world of disruption, one of my main priorities in this role is to ensure that we remain relevant to our members as they address the challenges facing them and their clients. The world is becoming ever more complex, pushing us into new areas where we do not have a ready-made playbook. Climate change, wealth distribution, demographics, and a lower-return environment create formidable challenges as well as new opportunities. The many bodies of work published by the Research Foundation offer important contributions in shaping how we both deliver returns for our investors and grapple with larger societal challenges.

One of the key initiatives currently well underway is our professional learning platform. Our objective is to deliver pertinent and engaging content to members when they want it, how they want it, and where they want it. We believe this will be transformative in the way we serve our members, and we see the work of the Research Foundation as an important contributor to this initiative.

In addition, the efforts of the Research Foundation do not go unnoticed by our societies around the world, providing speakers, books, and other resources to aid them in furthering the professional journey of our members. The Research Foundation is part of our overall research group at CFA Institute, which also includes the Financial Analysts Journal, Future of Finance, and Enterprising Investor. I am grateful for everything they do.

In closing, I am so proud and honored to be in this role and to be representing CFA Institute and our members to the world. The work of the Research Foundation represents yet another reason for my pride in this organization.