Candidacy Statement

William Tohmé, CFA

Candidacy Statement Submission – CFA Society Emirates Board Election 2025

A brief introduction about yourself
My 25 years of work experience in the asset management industry were spent in advising and building partnerships with asset owners in Europe and the Middle East. I was also blessed to hire and retain talents that continue to make a huge difference in our industry. I am particularly very proud of my experience with CFA Institute where I was blessed to write a strategy and hire bright people who continue to lead by example in ethics, education and professional excellence.

I joined CFA society Emirates in 2014 and was a board member and then a Vice President till 2018. I re-joined as VP in 2023 where I was able to help organize major educational events and conferences, foster relationships with asset owners and asset managers and help shape the mission and the vision of the society.

Your reasons for running for the Board
My motivation is to help upgrade the bylaws to the highest standards of governance, increase the interactions between members and the board, invest more in career events and the employability of our members, build strategic alliances with CFA Institute, the Regulators, Universities and the investment management profession in the UAE.

What you hope to contribute to the Society

  1. Governance and Strategic Planning: establish formal committees under each board function. Define clear roles and reporting structures to enhance transparency and accountability. Adopt annual planning & KPIs for all board members.
  2. Succession Planning & Future Leadership: laying the bricks for long-term continuity and governance. This is vital for stability and sustained growth.
  3. Focus on the long-term development of members, staff and volunteers
  4. Align budget allocations with strategic initiatives that clearly ensure that every dirham spent delivers impact, visibility and member value.
  5. Promote diversity and innovation in programming to reflect the evolving finance landscape.

Any areas of focus or new initiatives you plan to champion if elected

  1. Launch a leadership development program to Identify and mentor emerging leaders.
  2. Increase the employability of our members in the MENA region.
  3. Establish a Sports & Wellness Committee to encourage member engagement and promote well-being.
  4. Position CFA Society Emirates as forward-thinking, inclusive, and member-driven. Utilize media content and thought leadership to raise awareness and credibility.