Annaliese Russell has been named the 2022 recipient of Louisiana Tech University’s Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society Annual Award of Finance. Awarded by the CFA Society of Mississippi, Russell received the honor for her outstanding academic achievements and interest in pursuing the CFA charter, widely considered the investment profession’s most rigorous credentialing program.

“I am absolutely honored to receive this award,” said Russell. “I am committed to learning more about finance each day, and being involved in the CFA Program is another big step towards learning more.”

Russell completed her undergraduate degree in finance at Louisiana Tech this Spring, and is now working towards her Master of Business Administration. She recently accepted the role of internal auditor with Argent Financial Group, a leading fiduciary wealth management firm.

“I believe without a shadow of a doubt that the finance program at Tech has shaped me into the person I am today,” said Russell. “Throughout my time in the program, I received such a large amount of knowledge and mentorship that I couldn’t have found anywhere else.”

During her time as an undergraduate, Russell was president of Bulldog Entrepreneurs, an executive member of Tech Leadership Council, a cabinet member for SGA, and a Student Recruiter and College of Business Ambassador. She was also a member of The Investment Society and served as an analyst for the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF).

“My favorite part of the finance program has been participating in managing institutional money through the SMIF,” said Russell. “I have been able to decide on real stock trades with real money and make financial decisions that I believe will grow the fund to better the College of Business and Tech. This has given me hands-on experience that has allowed me to confidently enter the workforce. The MBA has taken my finance knowledge and shown me how to see that from the management side. My ultimate goal is to work in some type of financial management/leadership role, and the MBA program has shown me how to accomplish that.”

Louisiana Tech has been a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program since 2017. This status signals to students and employers that the curriculum is closely tied to the practice of investment management and is helpful to students preparing for the CFA Program exams. As a participating institution, the College embeds a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge into the finance curriculum.

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. There are more than 170,000 CFA charter holders worldwide and 161 local member societies.

For more information about Louisiana Tech finance program, visit business.latech.edu/finance.