As has been the tradition for many years, the FIAMtl Méchoui once again brought together a large number of Montréal finance professionals in a warm, collegial atmosphere.
At the 12th edition of this highly regarded event, held on August 21, Adriana Arrillaga, CFA, was awarded the honorary prize recognizing the exceptional commitment of a woman who has made a significant impact on the financial and investment community through her dedication and influence.
Surrounded by many association members, including CFA Montréal President Sandy Poiré, CFA, Adriana received heartfelt applause for her inspiring role in supporting the next generation and for her initiatives to open doors for women in the profession.
With a distinguished career — notably at Fleming Asset Management, where she managed North American mandates for foreign pension funds — Adriana has become a recognized leader in our field.
A graduate of the John Molson School of Business and a CFA charterholder, she has consistently given back to the community, with a strong focus on advancing financial literacy among women.
A former member of CFA Montréal’s Women in Investment Management Committee, she has contributed to numerous initiatives aimed at supporting women in finance and increasing their representation within our network. She has inspired countless young women at the association’s career days, sharing her journey and insights, and has helped raise the profile of the CFA Program among hundreds of students at Montréal universities.
Adriana Arrillaga embodies generosity in the investment world and is committed to making a real difference for young professionals. Her values are rooted in her family history: her grandmother funded scholarships for medical students in memory of her husband, Dr Francisco Arrillaga, a pioneer of clinical cardiology in Argentina, and her great-uncle, who was awarded the 1970 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and donated his prize money to his research laboratory.
Since 2018, Adriana has personally funded an annual scholarship encouraging a female finance student from Concordia University to pursue the CFA designation. This rare and tangible gesture has already helped nine recipients take a decisive step in their professional journey. She has also chaired the CFA Montréal scholarship program selection committee for several years.
Adriana is a founding member and donor of the Women Impact Montréal Fund, a former member of Tiger 21, and a voting member of Conservation Manitou.
Receiving this recognition with humility, she said: “I would like to thank CFA Montréal and FIAM for this recognition. It is an honour to receive this award. It brings me immense joy to see the next generation of women succeeding in our industry.”
“FIAM is proud to recognize the 2025 recipient of CFA Montréal’s Women in Finance Award. Giving back is a value at the core of FIAM’s mission — a value that Adriana continues to demonstrate through numerous initiatives she has led or supported. Her efforts have not only encouraged many female finance students to aim for the CFA designation but have also raised broader awareness among women of the importance of financial literacy,” said Claude Perron.
Her commitment to developing female talent and her desire to build a more equitable ecosystem make her an exemplary recipient of the FIAM Award. We salute her lasting impact and dedication to elevating the role of women in the investment world.