QSB Master of Finance students win Local CFA Institute Research Challenge

TORONTO, February 20, 2014 – Five Queen’s School of Business scholars triumphed at the annual CFA Society Toronto and Ottawa Local final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Toronto last week. The student team – Robert Kaptyn, Yiliu (Joyce) Kang, Raghav Khanna, Aria Samarzadeh-Vajdehfar and Jakub Sulimierski — was awarded the title of Local Research Challenge champion. The winning team members each received a prize of one thousand dollars and will go on to compete against teams from throughout the Western Hemisphere at the Americas Regional final of the Research Challenge, which will be held in Denver, Colorado in March 2014. The winner of the Regional level will then progress to the Global Final in April.

“CFA Society Toronto and CFA Society Ottawa represent students and professionals who hold themselves to the highest standard. After meeting our competition in the Scotia Tower, we knew it would be a tough decision for the distinguished panel of charterholders. In the end we are thrilled we executed a great presentation and our hard work was recognized.” said Team Captain Jakub Sulimierski.

The local level of the Research Challenge provides students with the unique opportunity to develop and present an equity research report, this year on Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies Limited, and compete on a global basis. Students learn from leading industry experts and their peers from the world’s top business schools. Competing universities assemble teams of three to five students who interact with Loblaw Companies Limited in researching and preparing a company analysis. Queen’s School of Business students competed against 10 other Ontario universities to earn this prestigious honour. All five students are currently enrolled in Queen’s Master of Finance – Toronto program, a 12-month program offered in Toronto aimed at working professionals.

“The CFA Institute Research Challenge is always such a high calibre and competitive event, with top-notch teams from quality schools. It is a real tribute to the efforts our students put in that they were able to come out on top. As always, it is a great experiential learning opportunity for the students, providing them with the chance to conduct real-world company analysis.” said Queen’s School of Business Team Faculty Advisor, Sean Cleary, CFA.

For more information visit the CFA Institute Research Challenge website

Media Contact Queen’s School of Business
Amber Wallace
613.533.3151
awallace@business.queensu.ca

Media contacts CFA Society Toronto
Sara Pacella
416.366.5755 X235
media@cfatoronto.ca

Media contacts CFA Institute
Sarah-Jane Purvis
212.705.1738
SarahJane.Purvis@cfainstitute.org

About Queen’s School of Business
Queen’s School of Business is one of the world’s premier business schools—renowned for exceptional programs, outstanding faculty and research, and the quality of its graduates. Canadian executives regard Queen’s as Canada’s most innovative business school, offering students academic excellence and a superior overall experience. Queen’s School of Business—where Canada’s first Commerce program was launched in 1919—is located at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. The School also delivers programs at locations across Canada, as well in the U.S., the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and China.

About CFA Society Toronto
CFA Society Toronto supports the professional and business development of more than 8,000 CFA charterholders in Toronto, making it the second largest member society in the world. It provides members with a local perspective on a global designation, including: educational programs, sponsored events, job postings, quarterly newsletters, a comprehensive affinity program and networking opportunities. A not-for-profit organization, CFA Society Toronto is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Society Toronto’s members are leaders in ethics in the financial community. For more information, please refer to www.cfatoronto.ca.

About CFA Society Ottawa
CFA Society Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization that supports the professional and business development of approximately 300 CFA charterholders in the Ottawa region. Consisting of portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisors, and other financial professionals, we promote: ethical and professional standards within the investment industry, encourage professional development through the CFA Program and continuing education, facilitate the exchange of information and opinions among people within the local investment community and beyond, and; work to further the public’s understanding of the CFA designation and investment industry. CFA Society Ottawa is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. For more information, please refer to www.cfaottawa.ca

About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion for ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has more than 117,000 members in 140 countries and territories, including 110,000 CFA charterholders, and 140 member societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org.