Beth Hamilton-Keen, a chartered financial analyst (CFA) and director of investment counselling with Calgary-based Mawer Investment Management Ltd., has been elected as chairwoman of the board of governors for the CFA Institute, the global association for CFAs.

Hamilton-Keen has been involved with the CFA Institute for 15 years and has held roles such as director and president of Calgary’s CFA Society and Canadian representative on the global institute’s Presidents’ Council.

“Beth has a long history with the CFA Institute, from leading the local Calgary CFA Society, to grading exams, to playing an integral role on our councils and committees,” says Paul Smith, president and CEO of the CFA Institute, in a statement. “With a wealth of experience in the investment management industry on which to draw [upon], I have every confidence that Beth and the board she leads will support and guide us in this mission.”

As Mawer’s director of investment counselling, Hamilton-Keen advises and manages portfolios for private client and family office clients. She has spent more than 20 years in the finance services sector, with roles at Toronto-based Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the bank’s private wealth-management business.

“Every day, our members are in a position to impact the welfare of families, the success of businesses, the health of communities, and the economies of countries,” says Hamilton-Keen in a statement. “The typical investor does not realize this so we need to raise public awareness concerning the positive impact investment management professionals can have on society. The sustainability of our profession is dependent on changing investors’ perceptions of both the work we do and the beneficial role we can serve. As chair[woman], this aspiration is part of my vision.”

Hamilton-Keen will succeed Aaron Low, the outgoing chairman. She begins her three-year term in the role effective on Sept. 1. Hamilton-Keen and the other members of the CFA Institute’s board were elected by the association’s membership at the CFA Institute’s annual conference in April.