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Krishnan has over 18 years of experience in executive search, having led C-suite and Board level searches for global corporations across all industries, including private equity. He advises clients regularly on digital transformation, leadership, succession planning, governance, culture, and diversity and inclusion. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Krishnan led Heidrick & Struggles’ global Executive Search division and, before that, he led the firm’s Global Technology & Services practice. He has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Executive Recruiters in the World” by Bloomberg Business Week. Krishnan is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion and gender parity, both for the firm’s employees and for its clients. Recently, Heidrick & Struggles pledged that on an annual basis at least half of the Board candidates that are presented to clients in total over the course of the year will be diverse. The firm also partners with organizations like the Paradigm for Parity® coalition and the 30% Club’s Future Female Directors program to help close the corporate leadership gender gap and promote gender parity across all levels of organizations. Before joining Heidrick & Struggles, Krishnan served as a Vice President and Partner with a global management consulting firm, where he focused on strategy, operations, and transformation across a wide range of industries.

Gary Burnison is the CEO of Korn Ferry. Under his leadership, Korn Ferry has been transformed to a global organizational consulting firm with more than 7,500 colleagues. Today Korn Ferry works with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. The firm helps organizations hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. The firm also helps professionals navigate and advance their careers.Burnison is the author of seven leadership and career development books, including a New York Times bestseller. His latest book, Leadership U: Accelerating Through the Crisis Curve, helps leaders activate their teams amid unprecedented challenges and change. Burnison writes regular content focused on the intersection of strategy, talent and leadership, including his widely-read weekly “Special Editions” for global leaders. He is also a regular contributor to CNBC and other major media outlets.Visit kornferry.com for more information.

Ben Williams is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Spencer Stuart. Previously, Ben led the firm’s North American business, and prior to that served as the leader of Spencer Stuart's North American Financial Services Practice. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Ben regularly advises clients on a variety of board and executive leadership recruiting, succession and culture related matters. Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Ben spent 25 years in the financial services industry, most recently serving as President of the Investment Banking and Capital Markets Broker-Dealer of Wachovia, the nation’s 4th largest banking institution at the time. As Head of Wachovia’s Global Markets and Investment Banking division, Ben led the company's fixed income and equity sales, trading, and research activities, as well as investment banking, capital markets, corporate banking and commercial real estate. Ben was responsible for a $200 billion balance sheet, more than 5,000 employees worldwide, and was directly involved in the recruiting, hiring and on-boarding of many of the company's senior leaders. Ben also served as a member of Wachovia's corporate operating committee, asset liability committee, corporate diversity committee, and as a management representative to the risk committee of Wachovia's Board of Directors.

I am proud to lead CFA Institute and its more than 170,000 members worldwide in promoting the highest standards of education, ethics, and professional excellence in the investment profession.