This year’s Heloise Ham Scholarship Fund celebrated an exceptional group of candidates whose talent, drive, and insight truly stood out. In addition to their outstanding participation in the CFA Research Challenge, each recipient—recognized through the prestigious Graham Center at CFA Society New York—submitted a series of thoughtful and inspiring essays. These reflections not only captured the depth of their learning throughout the competition but also offered a glimpse into their bold visions for the future of finance.

CFA Society New York proudly congratulates the distinguished 2025 scholarship recipients and extends sincere thanks to all applicants for their dedication, hard work, and meaningful contributions to the program.

Zachary Kuzak
Zachary KuzakNew Jersey Institute of Technology, Martin Tuchman School of Management
Bachelor of Science in Financial Technology 2026

Zachary Kuzak is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and will graduate from New Jersey Institute of Technology in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Technology. Zachary is a Division I NCAA athlete on the NJIT Men’s Swimming & Diving Team. He is also an honors student at NJIT, a part of the Albert Dorman Honors College. This summer he will return to the Royal Bank of Canada for a second internship in Wealth Management, working as part of the Piazza Team.

My biggest takeaway from the CFA Research Challenge is understanding the rigorous demands and analytical depth required for the valuations of stocks. This competition improved my communication skills with my teammates and tested my time management skills heavily. I learned that the investment profession is always evolving and that continuous learning and adaptability are required to serve clients at the highest level. Lastly, I found a new appreciation for the due diligence of researching equities and understanding the emphasis on ethics within the financial industry.

Kripa Mathew
Kripa MathewPace University, Lubin School of Business
Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance 2025

Hi everyone! My name is Kripa Mathew and I am a combined degree student at Pace University, pursuing my BBA and MBA in Finance. I am from Rockland County, NY! I am passionate about leveraging my understanding of finance to achieve meaningful results. In my free time I love to write, cook, and sing. It’s wonderful to meet you all!

My biggest takeaway from the CFA Research Challenge would have to be adaptability in unpredictable situations. In many cases we had to tailor our suggestions based on unexpected circumstances. It gave me a good feel for what it’s like outside of the classroom, where scenarios are typically very perfect and forgiving.

Daniel Zaslavsky
Daniel ZaslavskyNew Jersey Institute of Technology, Martin Tuchman School of Management
Master of Management 2025
Concentrating in management, Daniel Zaslavsky is a Master of Management student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Working at NJIT’s Student-Managed Investment Fund, he is a Senior Research Analyst whose strategic portfolio decisions support Apart from his studies, Daniel is heavily involved in running properties for his family company, therefore learning real estate and operations firsthand. He likes to play tennis and soccer in his spare time.

My biggest takeaway from The CFA Research Challenge is it taught me among other important skills the need for effective, deliberate team communication. Working under duress forced us to align fast, change our perspective, and create trust via openness. Beyond the technical knowledge, the experience afforded me access to industry experts whose ideas provided real-world background.