Laura Merlini

Managing Director, EMEA at CAIA Association

Discussion leader

Laura Merlini, CAIA, CIFD, MCSI, is Managing Director, EMEA at the CAIA Association, a position she has held since 2012. She is a senior alternative investment professional with extensive experience across strategic leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement and market development. Her work is guided by a belief in the importance of strong governance, integrity and a plurality of voices in financial decision-making. Laura serves on the CIFD Advisory Board and as a Non-Executive Director at Agave Advisors, an independent wealth-management firm based in Geneva. She previously served on the UN PRI Hedge Fund Advisory Committee and chaired the 100 Women in Finance Educational Committee in Geneva. She began her career at Fortis Bank, working across Milan, Madrid and Geneva, and has been an active contributor to the CAIA community since earning her CAIA Charter in 2007. Laura holds a BA in Business Administration from Bocconi University, a CEMS Master’s in International Management and an Executive Master in Positive Leadership and Strategy from IE University. Outside of finance, she is a sommelier with a passion for opera and art.