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Finance Students Expand Industry Connections and Continue CFA Research Challenge Success

Upper-level finance students in Saint Louis University’s Applied Portfolio Management (APM) program gain hands-on experience managing more than $3 million in University endowment funds.

The SLU Department of Finance has expanded the mentoring experience for APM students through Finance Mentoring and Coaching (FMC), providing students with a longer period of one-to-one mentoring with finance professionals. As part of FMC, students also maintain an FMC Reflection Journal, which is shared with finance faculty and the student’s industry mentor.

“Reflecting on their mentoring conversations, key takeaways and next steps helps students think more intentionally about what they are learning and how they can apply those insights,” said Naresh Bansal, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Finance at the Chaifetz School of Business. “The longer mentoring period, together with the reflection journal, should help our APM students get even more from their relationships with industry mentors.”

The annual APM Mentor-Student Happy Hour in December brings students and mentors together to connect and celebrate their mentoring and APM experience.

Continued Success in the CFA Institute Research Challenge

SLU finance students continued their strong performance in the CFA Institute Research Challenge in 2026. In the recent annual competition, one SLU team earned first place, while another finished third.

The first-place team included James Reifel, Anna Ryan and Thomas Miltchev with Jim Shanahan as industry mentor and Thomas Doellman as faculty mentor.

Caption: SLU’s first-place team in the 2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge local competition.

SLU’s first-place team in the 2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge local competition.

The third-place team included Sarah Sprick, Trevor Kohm, and Zuhair Saeed, with Jen Rowland as industry mentor and Naresh Bansal as faculty mentor.

“The CFA Institute Research Challenge emphasizes best practices in financial analysis and professional ethics. These principles are also central to the APM experience, where students apply financial analysis to real investment decisions and learn from industry professionals through one-to-one mentoring,” said Thomas Doellman, Ph.D., faculty lead for applied portfolio management.

Expanding Connections with the St. Louis Finance Community

Also new this year, the department has partnered with CFA Society St. Louis to provide a limited number of student memberships. Participating finance students can attend society events at no cost. This helps students engage with the local finance community and build connections with industry professionals.

2026 APM Analysts

The department also welcomes the 2026 APM Analysts.

A group of people wearing professional dress pose for a group photo next to a brick wall.

2026 APM Analysts and APM faculty.

Learn More About Applied Portfolio Management 

About the Richard A Chaifetz School of Business

Founded in 1910, the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University has shaped the future of industry for more than a century. As one of the oldest business schools west of the Mississippi, the Chaifetz School has built a reputation as a leader in business education committed to innovation, inclusion and impact and recognized with eight undergraduate and graduate programs nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. 

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