CFA Institute Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

CFA Institute has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, technology infrastructure, legal compliance, and regional advisory operations.

Committed to advancing global finance education, CFA Institute empowers investment professionals through rigorous ethical standards and specialized certification programs that foster excellence across the international investment community.

Leadership Roles at CFA Institute

  • Chief Executive Officer - Mae Conrad
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Jeffrey Diermeier
  • Chief Financial Officer - Gregory Slowik
  • President Council Representative - US Southeast Region - Guillermo Rodríguez
  • Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team - Aanya Goel
  • Chief Information Officer - Martin Colburn
  • Chief of Staff - Anne O'Brien
  • Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff - David Schmidle
  • Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute - Eliot Pikoulis
  • Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer - Sheri Littlefield
  • Mae Conrad - Chief Executive Officer

    Mae Conrad, the Chief Executive Officer at CFA Institute, directs the overarching strategic vision for global finance education. Conrad architects long-term growth initiatives that expand the reach of the CFA Program to diverse international markets. By aligning organizational goals with the evolving needs of investment professionals, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that educational offerings remain relevant in a complex economic landscape. Mae Conrad maintains rigorous oversight of ethical standards, fostering a culture of excellence that benefits society at large. Through collaboration with the Board, the Chief Executive Officer drives the mission of providing high-quality finance education to universities and students. This leadership role involves navigating the complexities of a not-for-profit model while scaling operations to meet rising demand for sustainable investing credentials. Ultimately, Conrad secures the long-term viability of the organization by prioritizing professional development and industry-wide integrity.

    Jeffrey Diermeier - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Jeffrey Diermeier, the President & Chief Executive Officer at CFA Institute, manages the executive execution of the organization's core mission. Diermeier oversees the integration of private market certificates into the broader educational portfolio, ensuring that investment professionals gain access to cutting-edge industry knowledge. As the President & Chief Executive Officer, Diermeier coordinates with global stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professional excellence. Jeffrey Diermeier drives operational efficiency across all departments, focusing on the delivery of high-impact finance education. This leadership position requires constant engagement with the investment community to identify emerging trends and educational gaps. By championing the value of the CFA Program, the President & Chief Executive Officer strengthens the global reputation of the organization. Diermeier ensures that all strategic initiatives support the ultimate goal of advancing the investment profession through superior education and ethical practice.

    Gregory Slowik - Chief Financial Officer

    Gregory Slowik, the Chief Financial Officer at CFA Institute, directs the fiscal health and resource allocation for the organization. Slowik architects robust financial strategies that support the expansion of sustainable investing programs and global educational outreach. Overseeing the budgetary requirements for all departments, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital investments align with the long-term mission of the institute. Gregory Slowik manages complex financial reporting and compliance, providing the transparency necessary for a global not-for-profit entity. This leadership role involves optimizing revenue streams from certification programs to fund ongoing research and development. By maintaining fiscal discipline, the Chief Financial Officer enables the organization to provide affordable, high-quality education to students and professionals worldwide. Slowik collaborates with the executive team to mitigate financial risks while pursuing growth opportunities that enhance the overall impact of the institute within the investment industry.

    Guillermo Rodríguez - President Council Representative - US Southeast Region

    Guillermo Rodríguez, the President Council Representative - US Southeast Region at CFA Institute, directs regional engagement initiatives that strengthen the local investment community. Rodríguez architects outreach programs that connect finance professionals with the educational resources provided by the institute. As the President Council Representative - US Southeast Region, Rodríguez manages the implementation of professional development events that promote ethical standards and excellence. Guillermo Rodríguez oversees the coordination between local chapters and the global organization to ensure consistent delivery of the CFA Program. This leadership role involves identifying regional market needs and tailoring educational support to help students and professionals advance their careers. By fostering strong relationships within the Southeast region, the President Council Representative - US Southeast Region enhances the overall impact of the organization. Rodríguez ensures that regional activities align with the broader mission of providing high-quality finance education and promoting professional integrity across the United States.

    Aanya Goel - Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team

    Aanya Goel, the Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team at CFA Institute, directs the student-led initiatives that bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice. Goel architects programs that introduce university students to the CFA Program and the benefits of sustainable investing. As the Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team, Goel manages the recruitment and development of future investment professionals within the academic environment. Aanya Goel oversees the organization of workshops and networking events that promote ethical standards and excellence among students. This leadership role involves building a pipeline of talent that is prepared for the demands of the investment industry. By creating a supportive community for students, the Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team enhances the reach of the organization's educational mission. Goel ensures that all student-focused activities align with the core values of the institute, fostering a culture of professional growth and integrity.

    Martin Colburn - Chief Information Officer

    Martin Colburn, the Chief Information Officer at CFA Institute, architects the digital infrastructure required to deliver global finance education. Colburn oversees the development of secure, scalable platforms that support the CFA Program and various certificate offerings. As the Chief Information Officer, Colburn drives the digital transformation of educational delivery, ensuring that students and professionals have seamless access to learning materials. Martin Colburn manages the integration of advanced data analytics to track student progress and improve educational outcomes. This leadership role involves protecting sensitive user data while maintaining high availability for digital services across international regions. By modernizing the technological framework, the Chief Information Officer enables the organization to reach a broader audience of finance professionals. Colburn ensures that all IT initiatives support the strategic goal of providing accessible, high-quality education through innovative digital solutions that meet the demands of the modern investment landscape.

    Anne O'Brien - Chief of Staff

    Anne O'Brien, the Chief of Staff at CFA Institute, directs the operational flow and strategic alignment of the executive office. O'Brien architects communication channels between the leadership team and the broader organization to ensure that mission-critical objectives remain the primary focus. As the Chief of Staff, O'Brien manages complex projects that span multiple departments, including the development of sustainable investing curricula. Anne O'Brien facilitates decision-making processes by synthesizing information from various stakeholders and providing actionable insights to the executive leadership. This leadership role involves coordinating high-level initiatives that enhance the organization's market position and educational impact. By streamlining internal operations, the Chief of Staff enables the executive team to focus on long-term strategy and professional excellence. O'Brien ensures that all organizational activities remain consistent with the core values of ethics and education, ultimately supporting the success of investment professionals globally.

    David Schmidle - Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff

    David Schmidle, the Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff at CFA Institute, directs the operational support for advisory functions that serve the investment community. Schmidle architects processes that improve the delivery of corporate services, ensuring that finance professionals receive the guidance necessary for career advancement. As the Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff, Schmidle manages the coordination of regional advisory teams to maintain consistent standards of excellence. David Schmidle oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives that connect the organization with universities and industry partners. This leadership role involves optimizing the service delivery model to better support the needs of students and professionals seeking specialized knowledge. By fostering collaboration across advisory departments, the Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff ensures that the organization remains responsive to market demands. Schmidle drives the execution of programs that promote ethical standards and professional development within the global investment sector.

    Eliot Pikoulis - Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute

    Eliot Pikoulis, the Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute at CFA Institute, architects the integration of artificial intelligence into the educational framework. Pikoulis oversees the development of AI-driven tools that personalize the learning experience for finance professionals. As the Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute, Pikoulis drives the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance the efficiency of certification programs. Eliot Pikoulis manages the technical teams responsible for building robust, secure platforms that support global operations. This leadership role involves identifying innovative solutions to complex educational challenges, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of technological advancement. By leveraging AI, the Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute improves the accessibility and quality of finance education. Pikoulis ensures that all technological investments align with the mission of promoting excellence and ethics in the investment industry.
    Eliot Pikoulis
    Sheri Littlefield, the Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at CFA Institute, directs the legal and regulatory strategy for the organization. Littlefield architects compliance frameworks that govern the delivery of finance education across diverse international jurisdictions. As the Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Littlefield manages all legal risks associated with certification programs and sustainable investing initiatives. Sheri Littlefield provides critical guidance to the executive team on governance, ethics, and intellectual property matters. This leadership role involves protecting the integrity of the CFA brand while ensuring that all operations adhere to global standards. By navigating complex regulatory environments, the Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer enables the organization to expand its reach safely and effectively. Littlefield ensures that all legal strategies support the mission of empowering investment professionals through high-quality education and ethical excellence in the global marketplace.
    Sheri Littlefield

    Explore Leadership Teams in Education

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CFA Institute Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads CFA Institute?
    CFA Institute is led by Mae Conrad (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jeffrey Diermeier (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Gregory Slowik (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of CFA Institute’s executive team?
    The executive team of CFA Institute includes leaders such as Mae Conrad (Chief Executive Officer), Jeffrey Diermeier (President & Chief Executive Officer), Gregory Slowik (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does CFA Institute have?
    CFA Institute has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in CFA Institute’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of CFA Institute includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President Council Representative - US Southeast Region, Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team.