Past Events

APAFS Welcomes Dr. Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez as Board Chairman

The Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez as the new Board Chairman. Dr. Hernandez, Treasurer and Investment Committee Chairperson of the Government of Guam Retirement Fund (GGRF), will assume this leadership role following the completion of Dr. Wilfred Leon Guerrero’s term.

Dr. Hernandez brings extensive experience in public finance, investment oversight, and fiduciary governance. His career spans key roles in the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA), the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, and the University of Guam, where he has served as both an educator and board member. His appointment strengthens APAFS’ leadership as it continues to advance fiduciary education and best practices across the Asia Pacific region.

Featured Q&A: Gerard Cruz – Marianas Business Journal

Stay informed with insights from Gerard Cruz, APAFS Chief Operating Officer, as he discusses key fiduciary trends and industry developments in this exclusive Q&A with Marianas Business Journal.

UOG Triton Investments Club participating in APAFS regional investment conference

The University of Guam Triton Investments Club attended the 21st Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference, organized by the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS). APAFS generously sponsored the club’s registration fees, covering more than $4,000.

The participating representatives were:

Thor Hauerbach – Club President, Senior in Business Administration.
Ulysses Sebastian Story – Junior in Public Administration & Sociology.
Dr. Leila C. Kabigting – Faculty Advisor.
Christianna Taijeron Ebio – Senior in Business Administration.
Heidee Rose Bacani – Senior in Business Administration & Accounting.
Daniel Tudela Ramos Jr. – Junior in Business Administration & Accounting.

The conference provided valuable insights into investment performance measurement and fostered networking opportunities among industry leaders and aspiring professionals.

Read More: UOG Triton Investments Club at APAFS Conference.

Mr. Phillip Mendiola-Long Joins APAFS Board of Governors

APAFS is pleased to welcome Mr. Phillip Mendiola-Long, AIFA™, RF®, MT®, Chairman of the Marianas Public Land Trust (MPLT), to the Board of Governors.

Mr. Mendiola-Long has been an active leader in Asia-Pacific trade and finance for over 20 years, promoting U.S. exports and economic development. He has served in various leadership roles, including:

Chairman of a $100M State Trust Fund.
Chief of Staff & CFO for a U.S. City.
CEO of Sherman Consulting, LLC.
Board Member for a U.S. Free Trade Zone & Hospital.
Former City Councilman of Tinian and Aguiguan.

His extensive expertise in finance and investment will greatly contribute to APAFS’s mission of promoting fiduciary excellence.

Read More: MBJ – Marianas Business Journal

APAFS Celebrates 20th Year of Pacific Region Investment Conference (PRIC)

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Pacific Region Investment Conference (PRIC) made a spectacular return in 2022, marking its 20th anniversary. Hosted by the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS), the event was a major milestone in the organization’s mission to provide top-tier fiduciary education across the region.

Over 280 delegates attended the week-long conference, which centered around aligning investments with personal values to achieve financial goals and build a sustainable world.

Key Features of the Conference:

Conference Photos: Available on the Asia Pacific Region Investment Conference Facebook page.

In partnership with Northern Marianas College, APAFS successfully completed the Fiduciary Essentials Training program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

APAFS also conducted the Fiduciary Essentials Training in Guam, partnering with Guam Community College and the University of Guam to educate individuals in fiduciary duties and investment management.

Minister Keleb Udui, Jr. Joins APAFS Board of Governors

Hon. Kaleb Udui, Jr., the Minister of Finance for the Republic of Palau, has joined the APAFS Board of Governors. He represents the ROP Ministry of Finance and joins fellow Palau officials Patrick U. Tellei, EdD, President of Palau Community College, and Senator Rukebai Kikuo Inabo, AIF®, who serves as the Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means and Financial Matters.

Minister Udui has an extensive public service career, beginning as the Chief of the Division of Budget and Management in the 1990s and working in several key positions, including as the President of the National Development Bank of Palau. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Guam and an MBA from the University of Hawaii.

Senator Rukebai Kikuo Inabo Joins APAFS Board of Governors

Senator Rukebai Kikuo Inabo, AIF®, has joined the APAFS Board of Governors. Serving her third term in the Palau Senate, Senator Inabo is the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means and Financial Matters. She brings over 30 years of experience in finance, having served as the Chief Executive Officer of Palau Public Utilities Corporation and CFO of various organizations.

Senator Inabo is a graduate of Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, and the University of Houston, where she earned a degree in Finance and International Finance.

Dr. Wilfred Leon Guerrero Joins APAFS Board of Governors

Dr. Wilfred Leon Guerrero, Chairman of the Government of Guam Retirement Fund (GGRF), has joined the APAFS Board of Governors. Dr. Leon Guerrero will assume the position of Board Chairman, succeeding Gerard Cruz, AIFA, who had completed his term.

Dr. Leon Guerrero has been instrumental in growing the GGRF’s portfolio, helping to double its market value from $1 billion to $2 billion. He is also the President Emeritus of the University of Guam, where he served as President from 1988 to 1992.

CFA Institute Features APAFS as GIPS Country Sponsor

The CFA Institute has featured the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) as the GIPS® Standards Sponsor for Micronesia in their Market Integrity Insights blog. This recognition highlights APAFS’s ongoing efforts to promote Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®) across the region. APAFS, founded in 2000, became the 27th GIPS Standards Sponsor in 2006 and has continued to lead initiatives aimed at enhancing investment performance transparency in Micronesia.

Daniel A. Roland, Executive Director of APAFS, was interviewed by Eddie Chan, CFA, CIPM, Director of Professional Conduct Enforcement at CFA Institute, in which they discussed the importance of GIPS standards in fostering trust and integrity in investment performance.

Read the full article: CFA Institute Blog.

APAFS Joins the UN PRI as a “Network Supporter”

The Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) has officially joined the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) as a “Network Supporter”. This strategic partnership strengthens APAFS’s commitment to promoting responsible investment and incorporating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in the decision-making process of institutional investors.

As a Network Supporter, APAFS will help raise awareness and support the integration of responsible investment principles throughout the investment community. UN PRI is the leading global advocate for responsible investment, focusing on enhancing returns and better managing risks through ESG considerations.

Read the full article:

Saipan Tribune

Island Times

Pacific Daily News

Guam Business Magazine

Pacific Island Times

University of Guam and Triton Investment Attend APAFS 19th Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference

The University of Guam and Triton Investment attended the 19th Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference (PRIC) hosted by the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) in Manila. This conference brought together leaders from across the investment community to discuss the latest trends and strategies in fiduciary practices. Triton Investment shared insights during the event, further emphasizing the importance of responsible investment within the Pacific region.

Watch the video provided by Triton Investment for a recap of the event.

APAFS Partners with CFA Society Philippines

APAFS is excited to announce its partnership with the CFA Society Philippines. This collaboration seeks to promote the highest ethical standards and professional excellence within the local investment community. The CFA Society Philippines represents a network of local investment professionals, including portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisers, and other financial practitioners. Founded in 1997, this association has worked to serve CFA Charterholders and CFA Program candidates in the region.

For more information on CFA Society Philippines, visit www.cfaphilippines.org.

APAFS Welcomes New Board of Governors Members

The Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) is proud to announce the appointment of three new members to the Board of Governors for the year 2019:

Randall V. Wiegand – Representing the University of Guam Board of Regents Investment Committee, where he serves as Vice President for Administration and Finance. Wiegand brings a wealth of experience in finance and investment management, including previous roles as CFO at the Guam Power Authority (GPA) and the Guam Waterworks Authority.

Francis Carlos Domnick – Representing the Marshall Islands, Domnick is the CEO of the Office of Commerce, Investment, and Tourism. He has extensive experience in government and business management, having served on the Board of Directors for the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration.

Daisy Alik-Momotaro – Also representing the Marshall Islands, Alik-Momotaro serves as the Chairperson of the Judicial & Governmental Relations Committee and is an elected member of the Parliament of Jaluit Atoll.

UOG Triton Investment Club Plans Return to APAFS 18th Pacific Region Investment Conference

The University of Guam (UOG) Triton Investment Club attended the 17th Pacific Region Investment Conference hosted by the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) on November 30 to December 1, 2017 at the New World Makati Hotel in Makati, Philippines. The team is preparing for their return to the conference in 2018 to further engage with industry leaders and continue their education in investment practices.

The UOG Triton Investment Club team, including:

Josiah Lanuza (Vice President of Activities)
Kaysie Aguilar (Vice President of Internal Affairs)
Jonathan Pablo (President)
Dylan Lee (Member)
Precious Nagallo (Vice President of Records Interim)
Shirlynnda Lebehn (Vice President of Records)
Christian Delgado (Vice President of External Affairs)

Along with Leila Kabigting, Associate Professor of Finance at UOG and adviser to the club, the team looks forward to expanding their knowledge and networking at this prominent conference. Watch the Triton Investment Club Delegate testimonial video for more insights on their experience!

Dr. Carmen Fernandez Joins APAFS Board of Governors

Dr. Carmen Fernandez, the President of Northern Marianas College (NMC), has joined the APAFS Board of Governors as one of three members representing the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). Dr. Fernandez will represent the Northern Marianas College Foundation, succeeding Joseph C. Santos in this position.

Dr. Fernandez will collaborate with fellow Board members Melchor Mendiola, who represents the Marianas Public Land Trust, and Skye Lynn Aldan, who represents the Commonwealth Ports Authority and serves as an alternate member of the Board.

APAFS Chairman, Gerard Cruz Attends Asia-Pacific GIPS Country Sponsors Special Event

Gerard Cruz, Chairman of the APAFS Board of Governors, attended the Asia-Pacific GIPS Country Sponsors Special Event in Hong Kong on June 23, 2016. This event was hosted by the CFA Institute and included other fellow GIPS (Global Investment Performance Standards) Country Sponsors from the Asia Pacific region. The event focused on discussions aimed at promoting and raising awareness of the GIPS standards within the region.

APAFS Profile Published in Headquarters Asia Pacific April 2016 Issue

APAFS was featured in the April 2016 issue of Headquarters Asia Pacific. The article highlighted the association’s continued expansion of educational efforts, focusing on the importance of fiduciary education and its role in helping fiduciaries make informed decisions about managing, growing, and protecting assets.

The APAFS profile highlights its mission to educate fiduciaries across the Asia Pacific region, aiming to improve asset management decisions. In the April 2016 issue, the association emphasized its educational efforts and continued expansion in the region. You can explore further details about APAFS in the Headquarters publication here.

Student Investment Club Appreciates Conference Fee Waivers

The University of Guam’s Student Investment Club (SIC) expressed appreciation for the opportunity to attend the 2015 Pacific Region Investment Conference. SIC members, including Dr. Leila Kabigting and students Bridgette Almario, Floregine Dela Cruz, Margie Francisco, and Kazzandra Ruaro, benefited from conference fee waivers. The conference enhanced members’ financial literacy, expanded their investment knowledge, and opened new pathways toward financial goals. Though only four members attended in person, the insights gained will be shared with peers to further benefit the university community.

UOG Student Investment Club Attends Pacific Regional Investment Conference

The University of Guam Student Investment Club attended the 14th Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference at the New World Makati City Hotel in Manila, Philippines. APAFS sponsored 12 students and an advisor to attend the conference, which featured financial experts from the Asia Pacific Region. The event aimed to educate students about investment management and regional investment issues.