CFA

Palisade Promotes Dawn R. Brock and Garo Norian to Associate Portfolio Manager Roles; Retains Search Firm

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Dawn Brock joined Palisade in 2013 as a Senior Research Analyst with a focus on the Health Care sector, and she was named a Partner in the firm in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Dawn Brock joined Palisade in 2013 as a Senior Research Analyst with a focus on the Health Care sector, and she was named a Partner in the firm in 2023.
  • Prior to joining Palisade, Ms. Brock was at Lord Abbett & Co., LLC where she was an Investment Analyst covering Health Care.
  • Dan Veru, Palisade Senior Partner and Chief Investment Officer commented, "These well-earned promotions are a natural progression for both Dawn and Garo.
  • These promotions signify our confidence in both Dawn and Garo and our commitment to the continued growth of our firm."

Crestwood Advisors Announces New President

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

Boston, Mass., Jan. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crestwood Advisors (“Crestwood”), a boutique investment advisory and wealth management firm based in Boston and with offices in Connecticut and Rhode Island, is pleased to announce the appointment of Leah R. Sciabarrasi, CFP® as President, effective January 1, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Boston, Mass., Jan. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crestwood Advisors (“Crestwood”), a boutique investment advisory and wealth management firm based in Boston and with offices in Connecticut and Rhode Island, is pleased to announce the appointment of Leah R. Sciabarrasi, CFP® as President, effective January 1, 2024.
  • “Leah’s appointment as President is a natural evolution of her leadership within Crestwood,” said CEO/Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager Michael A. Eckton, CFA .
  • “I am honored to take on the expanded role of President at Crestwood Advisors,” said Leah, who will continue to serve as Managing Partner and Wealth Manager.
  • Last year, Crestwood Advisors celebrated its 20th anniversary , highlighting two decades of dedication to client success and financial excellence.

Focus Consulting Group, Inc. Announces Addition of Two Investment Industry Leaders to Team

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

Focus Consulting Group, Inc. (FCG) (Chicago, IL) is pleased to announce that two investment industry leaders have joined as consultants.

Key Points: 
  • Focus Consulting Group, Inc. (FCG) (Chicago, IL) is pleased to announce that two investment industry leaders have joined as consultants.
  • Paul Zemsky, CFA, retired Chief Investment Officer of the Multi Asset Strategies and Solutions team for Voya Investment Management.
  • Paul brings over 38 years of investment and leadership experience to the FCG team.
  • Keith Robinson, FCG’s Managing Partner: “I am delighted that these two highly talented and experienced investment leaders chose us to begin the next chapter of their industry career.

DigitalBridge Strengthens Commitment to European Region with Hiring of Ersin Yorulmaz as Co-Head of European Capital Formation

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG) (“DigitalBridge”) today announced it has hired Ersin Yorulmaz as Managing Director, Co-Head of European Capital Formation, effective immediately.

Key Points: 
  • DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG) (“DigitalBridge”) today announced it has hired Ersin Yorulmaz as Managing Director, Co-Head of European Capital Formation, effective immediately.
  • He assumes the role alongside Alice Franks, who was appointed Head of European Capital Formation in February 2023.
  • Yorulmaz brings over 10 years of experience in capital formation, along with deep expertise in the DACH market.
  • “We are delighted to welcome Ersin at such an exciting time for DigitalBridge in the DACH region,” said Kevin Smithen, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at DigitalBridge.

Senegal’s small scale gold miners still use poisonous mercury: how to reduce the harm

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, January 7, 2024

Even more dangerous is the inhalation of mercury vapours, which are released as mercury is used in the extraction of another trace element – gold.

Key Points: 
  • Even more dangerous is the inhalation of mercury vapours, which are released as mercury is used in the extraction of another trace element – gold.
  • Miners inhaling mercury vapour can experience the same toxic effects as people eating mercury-laden food: limb tremors, blurred vision, loss of limb functionality, and even death.
  • My recent research has found an effective way to reduce mercury emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Senegal through education and equipment distribution.
  • We conducted educational sessions on the dangers of mercury and on the use of equipment to reduce mercury emissions and exposure.

Mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining

  • Artisanal and small-scale gold mining produces about 20% of all the gold sold on the world market.
  • Mercury is used in the extraction of gold because it is cheap, easy to obtain, and efficient at separating gold.
  • Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is the largest source of mercury pollution globally, emitting more mercury than coal combustion.
  • Article 7 specifically deals with mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Strategies to reduce mercury emissions from gold mining

  • Despite the Convention, there has been little success in reducing mercury use and emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
  • Many researchers and organisations have sought to train people about the dangers of mercury, or have introduced mercury-free technologies.

Intervention in Senegal

  • In a recent study, I worked with collaborators in Senegal to reduce the emissions of mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
  • Through surveys before and after the intervention, we found that it was highly successful in increasing knowledge about the dangers of mercury and increasing the use of improved technologies.
  • Local people were trained to present the information to miners and community members and to answer questions.
  • Information was also spread through local radio, an effective technique for reaching a wider audience in Senegal.
  • Read more:
    Ghana's artisanal miners are a law unto themselves: involving communities can help fix the problem

Implications of this intervention


Artisanal gold mining is an important livelihood for many people in Senegal and globally. Given the dangers of mercury toxicity, it’s necessary to reduce the high exposure of miners and their communities. Our study provides one mechanism to achieve this. It has seen a positive reaction, suggesting that similar interventions could be effective in other countries with artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
Jacqueline Gerson receives funding from World Connect and the National Science Foundation.

Vintage Wine Estates Names Ryan Watson as Chief Marketing Officer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. (Nasdaq: VWE and VWEWW) (“VWE” or the “Company”), one of the top wine producers in the U.S., today announced the appointment of Ryan Watson as Chief Marketing Officer (“CMO”).

Key Points: 
  • Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. (Nasdaq: VWE and VWEWW) (“VWE” or the “Company”), one of the top wine producers in the U.S., today announced the appointment of Ryan Watson as Chief Marketing Officer (“CMO”).
  • Mr. Watson joins VWE with nearly 20 years’ experience in global, data-driven, consumer-oriented marketing and transformational strategies in both B2B and B2C verticals across a variety of industries.
  • Seth Kaufman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to our executive team to lead our efforts in creating a consumer-focused enterprise that can deliver sustainable growth.
  • Prior to BCG, Mr. Watson had a unique career path spanning Amazon, Kraft Heinz, Tesco, and two high-growth consumer companies.

Omega Funds Announces the Promotion of Francesco Draetta to Managing Director

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Omega Funds , a leading international healthcare venture capital firm focused on delivering impactful medicines to patients, is pleased to announce the promotion of Francesco Draetta to Managing Director.

Key Points: 
  • Omega Funds , a leading international healthcare venture capital firm focused on delivering impactful medicines to patients, is pleased to announce the promotion of Francesco Draetta to Managing Director.
  • He also co-leads the Firm’s fundraising efforts, which resulted in more than $1.1 billion raised across Omega Fund VI and Omega Fund VII.
  • “Francesco has been instrumental to Omega’s growth, particularly across our investment and fundraising activities," said Omega Founder and Managing Director Otello Stampacchia.
  • “We look forward to his continued success as he assumes his new leadership responsibilities.”
    From 2008 to 2012, Francesco was an Analyst at Omega.

Luminosity Gaming Kicks Off 2024 with Luminosity Makes BIG Moves New York

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (“Enthusiast Gaming” or the “Company”) (TSX: EGLX) announced Luminosity Gaming , the Company’s esports brand and one of the largest gaming and esports organizations in the world, in partnership with Even Matchup Gaming, will kickoff 2024 with the first major Super Smash Bros tournament of the year: Luminosity Makes BIG Moves New York.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (“Enthusiast Gaming” or the “Company”) (TSX: EGLX) announced Luminosity Gaming , the Company’s esports brand and one of the largest gaming and esports organizations in the world, in partnership with Even Matchup Gaming, will kickoff 2024 with the first major Super Smash Bros tournament of the year: Luminosity Makes BIG Moves New York.
  • Back in New York City for the fifth time, Luminosity Makes BIG Moves welcomes players from all over the world and will host the top 10 ranked North America players for Super Smash Bros.
  • Ultimate, including MkLeo , Tweek , Sonix , and Maister , all of whom will compete under the Luminosity Gaming banner.
  • Luminosity Makes Moves’ last event was in October with Luminosity Make Moves Miami and will debut the inaugural Luminosity Make Moves Toronto this September in Canada, solidifying Luminosity’s footprint in the Super Smash Bros. community.

XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Term Trust Announces Portfolio Management Change

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Term Trust (the "Trust") (NYSE: XFLT), a diversified, closed-end management investment company with an investment objective to seek attractive total return with an emphasis on income generation across multiple stages of the credit cycle, has announced today portfolio management changes.

Key Points: 
  • XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Term Trust (the "Trust") (NYSE: XFLT), a diversified, closed-end management investment company with an investment objective to seek attractive total return with an emphasis on income generation across multiple stages of the credit cycle, has announced today portfolio management changes.
  • Effective January 1, 2024, Lauren Law, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager at Octagon Credit Investors (“Octagon”), and a member of the firm's Investment Committee, assumed the position of lead portfolio manager of the Trust.
  • Ms. Law has been a member of the Trust’s portfolio management team since its inception in 2017.
  • Gretchen Lam previously served as lead portfolio manager of the Trust; effective January 1, 2024, Ms. Lam succeeded Andrew Gordon as Chief Executive Officer of Octagon.

Adviser to Ave Maria Mutual Funds Announces Several Promotions

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. (the Firm), the investment adviser for Ave Maria Mutual Funds, has announced promotions effective January 1, 2024, for Timothy Schwartz, Brandon Scheitler, and Anthony Gennaro.

Key Points: 
  • Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. (the Firm), the investment adviser for Ave Maria Mutual Funds, has announced promotions effective January 1, 2024, for Timothy Schwartz, Brandon Scheitler, and Anthony Gennaro.
  • Ave Maria Mutual Funds is a pioneer in the growing field of Morally Responsible Investing (MRI).
  • The pair also manage the Ave Maria Bond Fund (Ticker: AVEFX) with Scheitler in the lead manager role.
  • Anthony W. Gennaro, CFA, CPA, the lead manager of the Ave Maria World Equity Fund (Ticker: AVEWX), was promoted to Vice President of Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc.