In this special episode of SLC LIVE, recorded at the 2025 Society Leadership Conference in Lisbon, moderator Julie Emerson leads a dynamic conversation with CFA Institute leaders Randi Tobler, CFA, Paul Moody, and Chris Wiese, CFA. Together, they explore how CFA Institute is setting the standard across membership, industry partnerships, and education.

Discover how the organization is evolving to deliver deeper member value, strengthen partnerships with employers and regulators, and modernize the CFA Program through skills-based learning. The discussion also unveils details on the new associate membership class, launching in 2026, and what it means for societies as strategic partners in shaping the future of the investment profession.

Moe Khuen, Director of Society Technology Operations, is back as your host for another season of Connexions: SLC Live! This year, Moe reports live from the 2026 Society Leadership Conference in London, bringing you the best ideas, conversations, and memorable moments from across the global CFA Society community.

Attending in person? Tune in for a recap of anything you missed between sessions and coffee runs. Following from your local society? Get an inside look at all the action.

New episodes arrive October 21. Subscribe now so you don't miss one, and share the Connexions website with colleagues who aren't following the show yet.

Guests Chris Wiese, CFA, and Anne Fahlgren join us to unpack one of the most significant evolutions in the CFA Program—its shift toward skills-based learning. Together, they explain what this approach means, how it differs from traditional knowledge-based learning, and why it's essential to the future of professional education in finance.

Chris and Anne share insights into the market signals and employer feedback that prompted this transformation, outlining how the CFA Institute is integrating job-relevant skills while maintaining the program's hallmark rigor and depth. The discussion explores how new assessment formats and curriculum design balance technical mastery with practical application.

Looking ahead, they discuss how a skills-based framework opens new possibilities for supporting members and Charterholders through ongoing professional development, and how societies can begin incorporating this mindset into their own programming. The conversation offers both a preview of what's to come and a call to action for societies ready to help shape the future of learning.

In this episode, Peter Watkins joins us to discuss how CFA Institute's University Relations team is fostering meaningful connections between societies, universities, and the next generation of investment professionals.

Peter walks through his team's structure and goals, outlining the many ways they engage with university communities worldwide—and why those relationships are so vital to the Institute's mission and long-term growth. The conversation highlights standout examples of successful society outreach initiatives, lessons learned from diverse markets, and strategies that societies can adapt to strengthen their own university partnerships.

Listeners will come away with practical, actionable ideas for building collaborations, mobilizing volunteers, and measuring impact—plus a few "do-this-tomorrow" takeaways to help boards and staff get started. The discussion wraps with a look at upcoming resources and tools designed to make university engagement easier and more effective across the network.

Guests Olivier Fines, Andrew Craine, and Rhodri Preece join us to discuss what's ahead for CFA Institute's Research, Policy, and Advocacy (RPC) work—and how societies can play a powerful role in amplifying its impact locally and globally.

The conversation highlights the upcoming pipeline of RPC and advocacy-related content, offering a look at the themes and initiatives shaping the next phase of CFA Institute's policy influence and thought leadership. Olivier and Rhodri also share how societies can effectively leverage RPC insights, data, and publications to advance meaningful dialogue in their own markets and strengthen alignment with the Institute's RAS (Research, Advocacy, and Standards) objectives.

Guests Doug Cohen, Alyson Corrigan, and Stephanie Field join us to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way CFA societies engage members, create content, and operate efficiently. Drawing on examples from recent pilots and society feedback, they share where AI tools are already making a difference—and where the most promising opportunities lie ahead.

The conversation examines CFA Institute's approach to evaluating and responsibly implementing AI technologies, emphasizing the balance between innovation, sustainability, and ethical governance. Our guests discuss how the organization is weighing both the risks and rewards of AI, ensuring new tools enhance—not compromise—the member experience.

Listeners will gain practical guidance on how to start AI conversations within their own societies, what questions to ask, and where to find resources or support from CFA Institute. The episode closes with an inspiring look at how AI can strengthen collaboration, insight-sharing, and the collective impact of the global CFA society network.