Artin Rismanchi’s journey into the world of finance was anything but conventional. He always envisioned a future in medicine or dentistry, focused on pursuing a degree in biochemistry. However, two years into his undergraduate studies, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
As financial markets crashed and global economies shut down, he was captivated by the complexities of financial markets and curious to understand the economic forces shaping the world. “There was a lot of terminology I didn’t quite understand,” Rismanchi recalls. “I wanted to know more about the economy, financial markets, and how they interact with the world.”
Determined to deepen his knowledge, he decided to pivot from healthcare and pursue a career in the financial industry. This led him to SFU Beedie’s Master of Science in Finance program, where he was particularly drawn to the Student Investment Advisory Service (SIAS) Fund, Canada’s largest student-run investment fund and a flagship program for experiential learning at SFU Beedie. The fund is currently valued at approximately $26 million CAD.
Currently, as a portfolio manager for Canadian Equities and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at SIAS, Rismanchi plays a key role in making influential financial decisions that align with SFU’s commitment to sustainability. This includes quarterly presentations to the endowment fund’s treasurer, analyzing benchmarks to mitigate risk, strategically allocating funds, and applying practical investment strategies beyond textbook theories.
Under his leadership, SIAS has maintained a fossil fuel-free mandate while still exceeding benchmarks, aligning with SFU’s commitment to responsible investing and long-term financial sustainability. In time, his SIAS experience has strengthened his financial and industrial acumen and given him an upper hand in the competitive job market.
“Not a lot of universities provide such a hands-on way to apply what you learn in school,” says Rismanchi.
Nonetheless, Rismanchi’s passion for healthcare never faded but has only evolved alongside his growing passion for finance, leading him to launch the Edify Foundation with his friends. Edify is a non-profit organization that provides workshops on health, wellness, financial literacy, and career development to the youth of Metro Vancouver. His end goal is to synergize his healthcare and finance expertise to drive meaningful change in the world.
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