A brief introduction:

Hello Everyone! My name is Zi Abraham.

As someone who has spent more than 20+ years in investment banking and asset management, I was invigorated by the positive impact financial instruments and investments continue to make in people’s lives.

Why did I take up the FDP challenge?

I considered the FDP learning journey as an opportunity to open my mind to endless possibilities for finding alpha and to gain awareness of the numerous avenues for gaining deeper insights using insurmountable amounts of data. Key examples include the ability to anticipate & recommend products with changing investor preferences, natural & large language processing to gauge sentiment & risk, AI-powered data gathering and analysis, predictive models, etc. 

What is great about FDP:

In my current role, thanks to the FDP Charter, I am particularly excited about how data science, machine learning, and AI are powering our ability to generate and/or leverage multi-faceted ESG datasets, both traditional and alternative, in the investment decision process, risk management and reporting.

I have developed a crossover expertise in Investment Management, Investment Systems, Investment Data, ESG data, and AI; and hope to drive meaningful change in the asset management space while enjoying stimulating work rich in creativity and learning at the bleeding edge of vital new applications leveraging the power of data and artificial intelligence.

As a financial data professional serving my client in the asset management space, I am happy that I am directly affecting the lives, dreams, and financial well-being of millions of investors in The United States and around the world.

My advice for aspiring industry professionals:

Today’s investment management industry is shaped by geopolitical, environmental, macroeconomic, social, and technological forces. The challenges faced and solutions required to deliver the desired returns can only be driven by harnessing and putting data to work.

About Zi Abraham, MCSI, FDP

Zi is an accomplished Business Consultant at Verrazano Consulting Solutions, specializing in Investment Systems Data and ESG Data. With over 22 years of professional experience, he has worked in management consulting, sustainable investing, capital markets, AI opportunities in asset management, investment banking, mutual funds, life insurance, and retail lending. His expertise covers financial markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Since 2015, he has been based in Irvine, California, USA, working on front office and data transformational programs with one of the world's largest asset management/mutual fund companies headquartered in Los Angeles.

Zi is a data expert specializing in ESG integration aspects, including business involvement screening, controversies & global norms, SDG alignment, governance, ratings, climate change metrics & climate transition risks, and PAI & EU Taxonomy. He is particularly knowledgeable about using these considerations and AI to integrate ESG into investment strategies.

Zi received a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University, India, and an MBA from the University of Calicut, India. He gained the Financial Data Professional (FDP) charter from the FDP Institute by CAIA, and he is a Member (MCSI) and Industry Specialist at The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI, UK).

Zi is a Practitioner Member of The Financial Management Association International (FMA). He is a Direct/International Member of The Association Cambiste Internationale - Financial Markets Association (ACI FMA), The Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM), and The IT Financial Management Association (ITFMA).

Zi is a volunteer with the SIFMA Foundation’s - Invest It Forward™ Stock Market Game initiative promoting financial literacy. He is a mentor at The CISI Mentoring Scheme. He is a volunteer with the Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) Orange County Central Chapter and works for sustainable climate action, activities, and advocacy.