A brief introduction:

Hello Everyone! My name is Gerald Norby.

My first major in college was Electrical Engineering, because I thought robots were cool. I switched to Psychology, earned my Bachelors, then Finance, and earned my masters, but I still want to program robots. With the advent of financial data science, it seems like I might finally get my chance.

Why did I take up the FDP challenge?

Data science and AI are reshaping the world in ways we can hardly imagine. This is just the dawn of a new era, and I seek to be a part of this historic change, not just a bystander.

My curiosity and eagerness to discover new things drive me to explore the possibilities and opportunities that data science and AI offer. I want to use them to make a positive impact on the world and on myself. The FDP Charter empowered me to follow my passion for perpetual learning and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

What is great about FDP?

Belonging to a global community of financial data professionals enables me to learn, network, and grow as a data-savvy finance practitioner. As data science and machine learning are rapidly transforming our field (and virtually all domains of human endeavor), it is crucial to exchange insights and best practices, keep abreast of the latest developments, and access relevant, practical, and up-to-date educational resources. By being part of this community, I can improve my skills and credibility as a financial professional who can leverage data to generate value and innovation.

My advice for aspiring industry professionals:

Never stop learning, never stop networking. Branch out, create as many opportunities as possible for positive surprises in your life and career. Make yourself uncomfortable, as growth requires discomfort. And not growing is shrinking. Change is the only permanent. You can never coast or keep things constant, attempting to do so leads to deterioration and atrophy.

About Gerald Norby:

Gerald is a Senior Data Analyst at William Blair Investment Management, where he uses his data science skills to enhance the firm’s investment and operational capabilities. He works on various projects relating to financial data, helping to develop and power data-driven tools, models, and dashboards allowing analysts and portfolio managers to gain deeper insights into investment opportunities and make better investment decisions. Gerald is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder and a Curriculum Reviewer for the CFA Institute. Before joining William Blair, Gerald was an Investment Strategist at The Next Level Planning Group, where he advised high net worth clients on building optimal investment portfolios. Gerald has an MS in Finance and a BS in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology.