Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies

🌴 Yap kicked off the APAFS 2026 Country Trainings!

The Investment Governance Essentials (IGE™) Training brought together participants for a full day of practical, region-focused insights. Attendees shared experiences, explored governance strategies, and strengthened fiduciary decision-making skills.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—your energy set the tone for an exciting series ahead!

1 WEEK TO GO! You're invited to join the APAFS 2026 Country Training in GUAM on MARCH 20.

Deepen your investment governance expertise with practical, region-focused learning at the Investment Governance Essentials (IGE™) Training.
Click here to REGISTER:
🔗 https://form.jotform.com/apafssecretariat/APAFS-2026-Country-Trainings-Reg

We're offering this training at a special discounted rate:

• $350 for APAFS Member organizations
• $450 for Non-Member organizations
• (Standard rate: $1,000)

Be sure to secure your spot on or before March 6 to avoid the $100 late registration fee.

See you there!

1 WEEK TO GO! You're invited to join the APAFS 2026 Country Training in CNMI on MARCH 16.

Elevate your investment governance approach with actionable, regionally relevant insights at the Investment Governance Essentials (IGE™) Training.

Click here to REGISTER:
🔗 https://form.jotform.com/apafssecretariat/APAFS-2026-Country-Trainings-Reg

We're offering this training at a special discounted rate:

• $350 for APAFS Member organizations
• $450 for Non-Member organizations
• (Standard rate: $1,000)

Be sure to secure your spot on or before March 2 to avoid the $100 late registration fee.

See you there!

You're invited to join the APAFS 2026 Country Training in YAP on MARCH 3.

Strengthen your investment governance skills with practical, region-focused insights at the Investment Governance Essentials (IGE™) Training.

Click here to REGISTER:
🔗 https://form.jotform.com/apafssecretariat/APAFS-2026-Country-Trainings-Reg

We're offering this training at a special discounted rate:

• $350 for APAFS Member organizations
• $450 for Non-Member organizations
• (Standard rate: $1,000)

See you there!

Day 2 of the Pacific Region Investment Conference (PRIConference) continued the momentum with a full morning of market insights, strategic discussions, and expert analysis from leading professionals across the investment landscape.

The program began with Breakfast & Registration, followed by Welcoming Remarks that opened another day of meaningful dialogue and fiduciary-focused learning.

The first session, Equity Markets Outlook, featured a distinguished panel of speakers:

1. Michael Tang, CFA®, Partner and Portfolio Manager, Hamlin Capital Management
2. James Chu, Vice President/Portfolio Specialist, Aristotle Capital Management
3. Antony Creighton, Director, Head of Strategy (Asia ex-Japan), Lazard Asset Management
4. Megan Anderson, Chief Client Officer, Winslow Capital Management
5. Jason Miyash*ta, CIMA®, AIFA®, Managing Director, Raymond James & Associates

Afterward, discussions resumed with the Fixed Income Outlook, presented by:

1. Timothy Tarpening, Managing Director, Portfolio Strategist, Principal, Pacific Income Advisers
2. Michael Hirai, CFA®, Director of Institutional Sales – Western U.S., Barrow Hanley Global Investors
3. Jeffrey D. Detwiler, CFA®, AAMS, Partner and Co-Deputy CIO, Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P
4. Stuart Jung, CFP, CIMA®, Director, VanEck
5. Amanda Gima, AAMS®, CFPA®, CSRIC®, Financial Advisor, Raymond James & Associates

The final learning session, Alternative Investments Outlook, brought together experts offering deep perspectives on global private markets and emerging strategies:
1. Kevin Williams, CFA®, Principal, Blackstone
2. Michael Sherbert, CIMA®, Managing Director, Millburn Ridgefield Corporation
3. Sunnie Yun, CFA®, CAIA®, Head of Private Wealth Southeast Asia and Korea, Member of Management, Partners Group
4. Henry Greene, Investment Strategist, KraneShares
5. Robert Bomberg, CMFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, Mutual Fund Specialist, Catalyst Funds

To close the conference, Gerard Cruz, AIFA®, Chief Operating Officer of the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies, delivered the Closing Remarks, marking the conclusion of a highly impactful two-day program.

Visit apafs.org to learn more about us.

Now in its 23rd year, the Pacific Region Investment Conference (PRIConference) continues to provide exceptional education and networking opportunities for fiduciaries through a thoughtfully curated two-day program that blends specialized training with regional financial insights.

This year’s theme, “Shaping the Future: Navigating the Financial World with Resilience and Fiduciary Stewardship,” emphasizes the growing need for fiduciaries to lead with foresight, integrity, and adaptability in an era defined by rapid technological change.

Day 1 featured a dynamic lineup of learning sessions and discussions led by investment experts and finance professionals from across the globe.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, AIF®, CGFM, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies.

This was followed by the keynote session, “Technology, Trust, and the Future of Fiduciary Leadership,” delivered by Dr. Catherine Ball, Adjunct Professor of University of Maryland’s xFoundry.

A panel discussion titled “Higher Education in the Trump Presidency” brought together distinguished thought leaders:

1. Mary A.Y. Okada, Ed.D., President, Guam Community College
2. Anita Borja Enriquez, D.B.A., President, University of Guam
3. Frankie Eliptico, Vice President of Administration and Advancement, Northern Marianas College
4. Raaj Kurapati, AIFA®, Executive Vice Chancellor & COO, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

The afternoon continued with Cathy Smith, Counsel at Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP, who led an in-depth discussion on “Navigating Best Practices in Pension Fund Governance.”

This was followed by Joaquin P.L.G. Cook, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Guam, who addressed the timely topic “Cyber Resilience: Safeguarding Trust Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty.”

The first day concluded with an insightful presentation by William Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Cryptic Labs, titled “The Genius Act: A Fiduciary Path to Stablecoin.”

This year’s PRIConference underscored the vital role of fiduciaries in balancing innovation with ethical governance amid a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Visit apafs.org to learn more about us.

From Standards to Action — Operationalizing Fiduciary Excellence

Day 2 of the AIF Training focused on implementation — translating principles into real decision-making application and identifying the steps required to embed fiduciary discipline into day-to-day investment governance. Guided by Aaron Drew, AIFA®, this final session reinforced the importance of moving beyond theory and into measurable, accountable practice.

Participants also took the AIF exam — an important benchmark that reinforces both rigor and mastery. Having tools to measure what we learn is essential, because ultimately, fiduciary responsibility is proven not in the classroom, but in the quality of decisions made in real portfolios and real institutions.

This program is designed to help elevate fiduciary services and awareness of fiduciary duty — and Day 2 brought that purpose full circle.

This program is delivered in partnership with the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) for Fiduciary Events Week in Manila, Philippines.

Applying RI policy — clarity of beliefs, clarity of purpose

Building on the foundational principles established on the first day, Day 2 of the Applied Responsible Investment Fiduciaries Training brought participants into the practical side of Responsible Investment — because strong outcomes require clarity not only in principle, but also in ex*****on. Led by Toby Belsom of PRI Academy, the class examined the critical steps to put RI policy into action, define investment beliefs, and articulate the essential elements of RI and stewardship policies.

The true test of learning happens beyond the classroom — in the day-to-day decisions fiduciaries make, the portfolios they influence, and the policies they uphold. Strengthening applied RI practice at this level ultimately raises the quality of fiduciary care delivered across the industry. This is the reason APAFS is intentional in bringing training sessions for Fiduciaries across the Pacific Region.

This program is delivered in partnership with the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) for Fiduciary Events Week in Manila, Philippines.

Establishing Anchor Principles for Applied Responsible Investment

We had a good kick-off for Day 1 of the Applied Responsible Investment Fiduciaries Training. This class offered a return to core concepts — because strengthening practice always begins with clarity of principles. Led by Toby Belsom of PRI Academy, participants explored RI foundations, thematic investing approaches, and the application of RI logic within real market conditions.

“Revisiting foundational principles is critical — it reinforces the standards that guide responsible fiduciary judgment,” says Belsom. He continues, “The professionals in this room take their duty seriously, and together, learning at this level helps elevate fiduciary discipline and raise the bar for the industry at large.”

This program is delivered in partnership with the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) for Fiduciary Events Week in Manila, Philippines.

Building a Strong Fiduciary Foundation from Day 1

Day 1 of the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) Training reaffirmed why this program continues to be one of our most trusted and consistently high-value offerings. Facilitated by Aaron Drew, AIFA® of MyFiduciary & Fi360 Pacific, participants were grounded in fiduciary standards and practices that define fiduciary excellence and responsible investment governance.

A room full of professionals engaged deeply in this foundational day — strengthening their technical understanding, sharpening decision frameworks, and elevating their approach to fiduciary duty.

This program is delivered in partnership with the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) for the Fiduciary Events Week in Manila, Philippines.