The Hedge Fund Association (HFA), a leading global non-profit trade and nonpartisan lobbying organisation, is marking 20 years in operation in 2016 with a series of structural changes offering valuable independence and benefits to members.
Created in 1996 to elevate participation in the global hedge fund community, HFA's structure transitioned during 2015 from an external management company based in Florida to the current New York office and staff supported by outsourced services and a volunteer leadership team. HFA has closed the Florida office, launched a newly enhanced website at HedgeFundAssoc.org, strengthened the leadership team, and organised a growing line-up of 2016 events providing solid educational opportunities and industry networking.
"HFA's core leadership team of volunteers is greatly strengthened by the talents and commitment to the organisation's global mission resulting from the recent appointments of Kislay (Sal) Shah as Treasurer and Holly Singer as Board Member," noted HFA President Mitch Ackles. The organisation's new structure and bylaws provide for officer positions plus 15 directors and additional leaders serving on HFA's committees.
Kislay (Sal) Shah , HFA Treasurer, Board Member & Northeast US Regional Director, is Partner in the Stamford office of RSM US LLP and leads the Connecticut financial services team. He brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to his engagements. Prior to joining RSM US, he served for 14 years with a Big Four accounting firm, working on major alternative investment services engagements. Sal is a CPA licensed in NY and CT; he is a member of the AICPA. "On behalf of HFA, I look forward to strengthening the organisation's path toward an institutional structure and contributing to new growth opportunities on a global level," commented Sal Shah.
Holly Singer, HFA Board Member & Co-Chair of the Marketing/Public Relations Committee, is president and founder of HS Marketing, LLC, a marketing communications, public relations and media planning firm specialised in the alternative investment community. She has served the industry for two decades including prior industry leadership positions on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Hedge Fund Association (MAHFA) and the Managed Funds Association (MFA). Holly earned an MBA from New York University and a BA from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. "I am honoured to serve as an HFA leader and excited to make an impact in various initiatives such as stronger branding, recruiting new leadership talent and developing high caliber educational programs across several key industry locations," says Holly Singer.