CFA Institute Executive and Leadership Team

Ryann Elijah, the Chief Executive Officer at CFA Institute, directs the overarching strategic vision for global finance education. Elijah architects long-term growth initiatives that expand the reach of the CFA Program across diverse international markets. By aligning organizational goals with the evolving needs of investment professionals, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that educational offerings maintain the highest standards of ethics and excellence. Ryann Elijah manages high-level stakeholder relationships, including partnerships with universities and global financial institutions, to solidify the organization's market position. Through the implementation of sustainable investing frameworks, the Chief Executive Officer drives the mission of benefiting society at large. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of industry trends to adapt curriculum delivery methods. Ultimately, Elijah secures the long-term viability of the organization by fostering a culture of continuous professional development and rigorous academic integrity for all members.

Jeffrey Diermeier, the President & Chief Executive Officer at CFA Institute, oversees the execution of core organizational mandates regarding professional certification and industry standards. Diermeier drives the expansion of private market education initiatives, ensuring that investment professionals possess the tools necessary for complex financial environments. As the President & Chief Executive Officer, Diermeier coordinates with the Board to refine the strategic roadmap for global operations. Jeffrey Diermeier monitors the efficacy of existing programs, adjusting delivery models to meet the demands of students and practitioners worldwide. By championing ethical excellence, the President & Chief Executive Officer strengthens the reputation of the organization within the global finance sector. This role requires balancing operational efficiency with the not-for-profit mission of the institute. Through consistent engagement with the investment community, Diermeier ensures that the organization remains the primary authority for professional development and career advancement in the finance industry.

Gregory Slowik, the Chief Financial Officer at CFA Institute, manages the fiscal health and resource allocation for the global not-for-profit organization. Slowik architects robust financial strategies that support the development of new certificates focused on sustainable investing and private markets. Overseeing the budgetary requirements for international operations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital flows efficiently toward high-impact educational programs. Gregory Slowik collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align financial planning with the long-term mission of promoting excellence in the investment industry. This leadership role involves rigorous oversight of financial reporting, risk management, and investment portfolio performance. By optimizing the cost structure of educational delivery, the Chief Financial Officer enables the organization to scale its reach to universities and students globally. Ultimately, Slowik maintains the financial stability required to uphold the high standards of ethics and education that define the institute's market presence.

Aanya Goel, the Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team at CFA Institute, directs the student-led initiatives that bridge academic learning with professional certification. Goel architects outreach programs that introduce university students to the CFA Program and the importance of ethical standards in the investment industry. As the Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team, Goel manages the recruitment and development of future finance professionals within the academic environment. Aanya Goel coordinates with the broader organization to provide students with access to resources focused on sustainable investing and private markets. This leadership role involves fostering a community of excellence among aspiring investment professionals. By facilitating connections between students and the professional world, the Founder & Co-President, Cfa Institue Umass Amherst Team enhances the pipeline of talent entering the finance sector. Ultimately, Goel supports the mission of empowering the next generation of investment leaders through education and mentorship.

Guillermo Rodríguez, the President Council Representative - US Southeast Region at CFA Institute, directs the regional engagement strategy for the southeastern United States. Rodríguez architects initiatives that promote the CFA Program and professional certificates to local investment communities. As the President Council Representative - US Southeast Region, Rodríguez oversees the alignment of regional activities with the global mission of ethics and excellence. Guillermo Rodríguez manages relationships with local finance professionals and universities to ensure the effective dissemination of educational resources. This leadership role involves gathering regional insights to inform the development of new programs focused on sustainable investing. By strengthening the presence of the organization in the US Southeast, the President Council Representative - US Southeast Region facilitates the professional advancement of local practitioners. Ultimately, Rodríguez ensures that the organization's commitment to high standards is upheld through active regional participation and consistent engagement with the investment industry.

Anne O'Brien, the Chief of Staff at CFA Institute, coordinates cross-functional initiatives to ensure seamless execution of the organization's strategic objectives. O'Brien architects internal communication frameworks that align departmental efforts with the broader mission of providing finance education. As the Chief of Staff, O'Brien manages the operational cadence of the executive team, facilitating decision-making processes that impact global program delivery. Anne O'Brien monitors the progress of key projects, including the rollout of new certificates in sustainable investing, to ensure timely completion and quality assurance. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between strategic planning and daily operational execution. By streamlining workflows across the organization, the Chief of Staff enhances the efficiency of services provided to finance professionals and students. Ultimately, O'Brien supports the executive leadership in maintaining the organization's commitment to ethics and excellence while navigating the complexities of the international investment landscape.

David Schmidle, the Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff at CFA Institute, directs the operational support for advisory functions that serve the global investment community. Schmidle architects engagement strategies that connect the organization with corporate partners and financial institutions. As the Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff, Schmidle oversees the implementation of advisory programs that promote high standards of ethics and professional excellence. David Schmidle manages the integration of corporate feedback into the development of new educational certificates, ensuring relevance in private markets. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional teams to scale advisory services across diverse geographic markets. By optimizing the delivery of corporate advisory resources, the Corporate Advisory Services Chief of Staff directly impacts the professional growth of investment practitioners. Ultimately, Schmidle ensures that the advisory arm of the organization remains aligned with the core mission of empowering finance professionals through superior education and ethical guidance.

Eliot Pikoulis, the Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute at CFA Institute, leads the digital transformation and technological infrastructure of the organization. Pikoulis architects scalable cloud solutions that support the global delivery of the CFA Program and various digital certificates. As the Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute, Pikoulis drives the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the learning experience for students and finance professionals. Eliot Pikoulis manages the cybersecurity framework to protect sensitive data across international operations. This leadership role involves collaborating with educational teams to modernize the digital platform for sustainable investing courses. By leveraging advanced technology, the Chief Information Officer & Managing Director, Technology & Ai Solutions, Cfa Institute ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of educational innovation. Ultimately, Pikoulis secures the digital ecosystem required to maintain excellence in finance education.

Sheri Littlefield, the Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at CFA Institute, directs the legal and regulatory strategy for the global organization. Littlefield architects compliance frameworks that govern the administration of the CFA Program and other professional certificates. As the Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Littlefield oversees the protection of intellectual property and the maintenance of ethical standards across all jurisdictions. Sheri Littlefield manages complex legal matters related to international operations, ensuring that the organization adheres to regional regulations while promoting global excellence. This leadership role involves providing counsel to the Board and executive team on governance and risk mitigation. By navigating the legal landscape of the finance industry, the Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer enables the organization to expand its educational reach safely. Ultimately, Littlefield ensures that all activities align with the not-for-profit mission and ethical mandates.