CFA Institute
Margaret Franklin, President and CEO
At CFA Institute, sustainability is part of how we operate: thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with a view to long-term impact. Charlottesville is more than our headquarters. It’s a community of leaders who are eager to collaborate and translate ideas into impact. As such, we are proud members of the Green Business Alliance.
About CFA Institute
Setting the Highest Standards for Investment Professionals Across the Globe
As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute sets the standards for professional excellence and credentials. We champion ethical behavior in investment markets and serve as the leading source of learning and research for the investment industry. We believe in fostering an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. With more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across more than 160 markets, CFA Institute has 9 offices and 158 local societies.
Our Commitment to Corporate and Social Responsibility
CFA Institute continues to advance its commitment to sustainability, volunteerism, and inclusion, embedding these values into its culture and operations. The organization’s sustainability framework, developed in 2024, encompasses six pillars: inclusion, energy and carbon, sustainable operations, responsible procurement, health and well-being, and governance. Notably, for our Charlottesville office, we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 55% per square foot since joining the GBA in 2021.
Inclusion remains a central focus, both internally and externally. The organization fosters an inclusive and welcoming workplace through employee resource groups, mentoring, and continuous education. Externally, the CFA Institute Inclusion Code has expanded to more than 200 signatories around the world, with local adaptations across Europe and in Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
Volunteerism and well-being remain integral to the CFA Institute culture. In the past year, employees in Virigina contributed nearly 1,000 hours to community service, supported by active engagement in employee resource groups and the Inclusion Council. Governance of these efforts is overseen by the Sustainability Council and reinforced by partnerships with organizations dedicated to corporate citizenship and environmental responsibility, like the Community Climate Collaborative. These initiatives collectively drive positive social and environmental impact, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and position CFA Institute as a leader in responsible business practices.
Additionally, in 2019, CFA Institute became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) signaling our intent as an organization to align our operations to 10 ethical principles spanning topics such as human rights, labor, and the environment. This was an exciting opportunity for us to join ranks with 1,265 companies in 160 countries who are committed to increasing action and awareness around the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Why the Green business alliance?
Membership with the Green Business Alliance complements our sustainability framework and sits alongside other corporate citizenship engagements globally, reinforcing the fact that our external advocacy is matched by concrete, local operational actions.
Looking ahead
CFA Institute is committed to our sustainability framework to benefit the wellbeing of our staff, constituents, community, and society as a whole. As we carry out this strategy, we remain committed to transparency, continuous learning, and creating opportunities for employee engagement. We look forward to collaborating with our Green Business Alliance partners to share insights and advance collective progress.
Find CFA Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and website www.cfainstitute.org.