This year, the Heloise Ham Scholarship Fund was marked by an exceptional and highly competitive pool of candidates. In addition to their dedicated participation in the CFA Research Challenge, each inspiring recipient of the scholarship funding award—bestowed via the Graham Center—produced and submitted a variety of compelling essays focused on the lessons they learned throughout the competition, as well as their respective goals for their prospective careers in finance. CFA Society New York congratulates the 2020 winners and thanks all of those who participated.

2020 Distinguished Scholar Award

<a class="fusion-modal-text-link" data-toggle="modal" data-target=".fusion-modal.alvarezcruz" href="#">Bielca Alvarezcruz*</a>
Bielca Alvarezcruz*St. John’s University, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Master of Business Administration in Investment Analysis and Finance
2020

Bielca Alvarezcruz is a team-oriented finance professional, and military veteran with demonstrated leadership and strong technical skills. Bielca is experienced in operations, compliance, and analysis of business processes. In May 2020, she completed a Master of Business Administration from St. John’s University, with an emphasis on Investment Analysis and Finance.

The biggest take away from participating in the CFA Research Challenge was the importance of teamwork and the power of developing and maintaining your network. I firmly believe that the investment profession is based on trust, which inevitably depends on your ability to establish relationships with people.

* Along with being a Heloise Ham Scholarship winner, Ms. Alvarezcruz is also the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Scholar Award awarded by the Graham Center at CFA Society New York, our highest honor.

Suriya Babu

Rutgers University

Bachelor of Science in Finance

2020

Li Jin Chen

Baruch College, Ziklin School of Business

Master of Science in Finance

December 2019

Gabriella D’Anna

Fairfield University

Bachelor of Science in Finance – Honors Program

2020

Eka Gigauri

Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business

Master of Science in Finance

2020

Lan Lou

Fordham University

Bachelor of Science in Finance

December 2020