Shishir Prajapati, CFA

Senior Investment Analyst
Quest Asset Partners

Member since 2017

Can you share a volunteering experience or initiative that had an impact on you or others in the investment community?

One of the most impactful volunteering experiences I have had was spearheading the new member welcome call campaign, launched just after the height of COVID. The pandemic had created significant barriers to traditional in-person networking and integration for new members, leaving many feeling isolated after completing the rigorous CFA Program or rejoining the society. This initiative was a simple yet profoundly effective way for volunteers to personally call these new members. The appreciation on the other end of the line was palpable; often, new members expressed surprise and genuine gratitude that someone from the Society took the time to personally welcome them and bridge that crucial gap in connection. This direct interaction fostered a vital sense of belonging that digital communications alone could not achieve. The success of this campaign in highlighting the strong desire for personal connection among our members directly led to the establishment of the first New Member Breakfast – now a cherished and regular event for CFA Society Australia, further cementing our community bonds and ensuring a warm welcome for everyone.

How has your involvement as a volunteer contributed to your professional growth or leadership journey?

Volunteering with CFA Society Australia has been instrumental in accelerating my professional growth and leadership journey. It’s provided unparalleled exposure to individuals across various sectors, seniority levels, and even different regions – connections that would be difficult to forge in my day-to-day role. Beyond networking, I’ve had the invaluable opportunity to be directly involved in driving strategic initiatives and programs that have a tangible impact on our members. For instance, contributing to the development of new member events or shaping member engagement strategies has allowed me to apply and refine my skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment. For those who may not have immediate leadership opportunities within their professional roles, volunteering offers a fantastic avenue to step up, lead projects, and gain practical experience while simultaneously giving back to the CFA Australia community. It’s a truly enriching experience that complements and enhances one’s career trajectory.

What advice would you give to other members who are considering volunteering for the first time?

For any member considering volunteering for the first time, my advice is simple: come to the CFA quarterly drinks! It’s a fantastic, low-pressure way to begin. You’ll quickly find that the CFA Society volunteer network is incredibly welcoming and supportive, eager to help new volunteers find their footing. This allows you to understand the commitment, explore different areas, and see where your skills can best be utilized. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to put faces to names and meet members at these regular networking events. The Society truly offers a wide range of opportunities to get involved, from helping with a single event to contributing to ongoing committees, so you can easily find something that resonates with your interests and career goals. You’ll be surprised by how much you learn and grow, not just professionally but personally.

Regina Rao, CFA

Principal of Impact Investing
Minderoo Foundation

Member since 2021

Can you share a volunteering experience or initiative that had an impact on you or others in the investment community?

Helping organise the WA Women in Finance Network Gala Evening stands out. It was simple – just a panel and some Q&A, but the gratitude from candidates reminded me how valuable even small efforts can be. Sometimes just showing up and sharing your journey makes a real difference.

What inspired you to begin volunteering with CFA Society Australia and what motivates you to continue giving your time?

I started volunteering to connect with peers and contribute beyond day-to-day work. What keeps me coming back is the quality of conversations and the sense of shared purpose among CFA members.

What advice would you give to other members who are considering volunteering for the first time?

Start small and say “yes”! You’ll be surprised how quickly it feels meaningful – and how much you’ll learn from others.

What does ‘giving back’ mean to you as a member of CFA Society Australia?

For me, “giving back” is about making the community stronger than it was yesterday. We all benefit when we show up and share what we can.

Joshua Anthony Nappa, CFA

Associate Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
U Ethical Investors Limited

Member since 2022

What inspired you to begin volunteering with CFA Society Australia and what motivates you to continue giving your time?

What inspired me to volunteer with the CFA Society Australia, specifically the Professional Learning committee, was a collection of things however, the primary motivation was furthering my learning experience post-completion of the program. Personally, I believe in being a ‘lifelong learner’ and being a part of efforts to design and deliver content to our members effectively helps me stay sharp and ‘in the loop’ when it comes to maintaining and growing my knowledge of the field.

How has your involvement as a volunteer contributed to your professional growth or leadership journey?

My involvement has been very important to my professional growth and leadership journey, in that it has helped me develop my personal brand among the community as well as open up further volunteering opportunities outside of the Professional Learning committee, such as being invited to guest lecture at various universities and be involved in the CFA Research Challenge as a judge.

I also believe that volunteering enables a deeper level of networking for members, as you constantly work with other volunteers to deliver on an initiative. This allows you to collaborate with people you wouldn’t ordinarily work with professionally, fostering cross-firm relationships.

What advice would you give to other members who are considering volunteering for the first time?

Dive in head first, don’t hesitate, but ensure you are motivated to give ‘back’ to the community – I am a firm believer that motivation stems from passion and passion can really drive the quality of initiative or work you deliver. Being genuinely interested in finance and thus, the CFA as a whole, is a great way to start and the volunteering opportunities afforded by the Society are a rock-solid avenue to take that interest even further.

What does ‘giving back’ mean to you as a member of CFA Society Australia?

Giving back means multiple things but for me personally, it means helping that next cohort of candidates on their journey to become members, and once they are members, continuing to help them by delivering quality Professional Learning events to aid them in growing their knowledge.

James Rolls, CFA

Senior Analyst – Capital Markets
JLL

Member since 2025

Can you share a volunteering experience or initiative that had an impact on you or others in the investment community?

One volunteering experience that has been particularly meaningful to me is assisting at career events hosted by the CFA Society. At these events, I engaged with university students and early-career professionals to share insights about how the CFA designation can accelerate career progression in the investment industry. I’ve found that many students are eager to understand how the program’s curriculum builds a foundation in ethics, technical skills, and practical knowledge that employers highly value. By sharing my personal experiences and highlighting real-world examples of how the CFA charter has opened doors and shaped professional development, I’ve been able to inspire confidence in pursuing the designation. Seeing students walk away with a clearer sense of purpose and motivation has been rewarding, and it reinforces the importance of giving back to the community that has contributed so much to my own growth.

What inspired you to begin volunteering with CFA Society Australia and what motivates you to continue giving your time?

What inspired me to begin volunteering with CFA Society Australia was the impact the CFA Program had on my own professional development. When I started in my corporate finance role, I initially felt overwhelmed by the practical application of financial concepts and the demands of the job. Studying for the CFA exams was transformative—it not only sharpened my analytical skills but also consolidated and built upon the foundational knowledge I gained at university. The curriculum helped me connect academic theory to real-world application, deepening my understanding of valuation and other corporate finance related skills. This learning gave me the confidence to tackle challenging assignments and was a vital tool in helping me excel. That experience motivates me to give back by volunteering. I know firsthand how powerful the CFA journey can be in unlocking career opportunities. Supporting candidates and sharing insights is my way of helping others realise their potential.

What does ‘giving back’ mean to you as a member of CFA Society Australia?

To me, giving back as a member of CFA Society Australia means sharing the knowledge, support, and encouragement that helped me succeed. The CFA Program was instrumental in building my skills and confidence, and I feel a strong responsibility to help others on the same path. Whether it’s mentoring candidates, volunteering at career events, or simply answering questions from those considering the designation, giving back is about making the journey more approachable and less daunting. It’s also about contributing to a culture of professionalism and integrity within the investment community. Ultimately, it means helping to strengthen the community that has played such a significant role in my own development.

The Advocacy National Council represents CFA Society Australia’s voice on matters of financial market integrity, ethics and professionalism. It contributes to policy discussions, regulatory consultations and initiatives that promote ethical standards and protect investor interests.

Leads the strategic direction for engaging university students and CFA Program candidates across Australia. It aims to raise awareness of the CFA Program, strengthen pathways into the profession and support CFA Program growth. The council also plays a key role in advancing diversity and inclusion within the future charterholder community and in building long term connections between academia, industry and CFA Society Australia.

The Diversity National Council drives initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion across the finance industry. It works to create a more representative profession by supporting inclusive practices and amplifying underrepresented voices.

This council focuses on strengthening relationships with employers and industry stakeholders to promote the CFA designation. It supports the recognition of charterholders and encourages ethical hiring and professional development practices.

The Member Engagement National Council works to enhance member satisfaction and build a strong professional community. It helps shape programs, events and experiences that foster connection, engagement and long term member value.

This council curates professional development opportunities aligned with industry trends and member needs. It ensures the delivery of high quality, relevant content that supports lifelong learning and continued professional excellence.

Micro Volunteering provides flexible, short term opportunities for members to contribute to CFA Society initiatives. It’s ideal for those who want to stay involved and make an impact despite limited time availability.