Representing ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Dolan, five business students began their quest for victory in the New York Regional 2025 CFA Institute Research Challenge — one of more than 90+ global markets in the CFA Institute Competition series. During the first round of the high-stakes global equity competition, the team was tasked alongside 26 New York area universities to analyze a large company and present their findings to industry-expert judges.
Assuming the role of research analysts, Fowler ’25, Pushkaraj Makarand Kalkar, Sara Wentland ’26, Caleb McNaull ’25, and Matthew Molta ’25, were tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills when evaluating the company's performance. The result: a stellar 40-page equity research report paper and a 160-page slide deck that culminated their work and was deemed first place by the judges.
The student team worked alongside faculty advisor and professional research analyst Katsiaryna Bardos, PhD, chair of the Finance Department and professor of finance at ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Dolan. According to Fowler, “The CFA Case Study Challenge was a competition full of long nights, hard work, and resilience.”
Claiming victory in that first round, the team’s presentation was then advanced to the next round of the New York finals. Upon notification from Dr. Bardos and the CFA Institute, the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Dolan team learned of their qualification for the global finals on February 27, where they ultimately clinched the top spot.
“Winning gave us the confidence we needed to move forward to the global rounds," said Lucy Fowler '25. "We were incredibly thankful to represent ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ.”
