Trusted Insight for Independent Oversight

MFDF is an independent association for independent directors of mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, and other registered investment companies.

MFDF helps independent directors navigate an evolving regulatory environment and steward shareholders’ investments. MFDF provides tailored educational resources and facilitates peer-to-peer networking, with offerings that include webinars, white papers, and interactive conferences. As an independent association, MFDF’s membership includes a wide range of fund boards and represents a diverse community of directors.

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Educational Offerings

MFDF provides comprehensive and high-quality educational resources tailored to independent directors. Explore upcoming programs, including webinars, single-day in-person seminars, multi-day conferences, and informal networking discussions.

Insights for the Field

The nature of the work of independent directors is ever-evolving. Read the latest news, practical guidance, comment letters to regulators, and other viewpoints.

Become a Member

Your goal is to steward your investors’ resources. We promise to steward yours. We take our role as your trusted partner seriously. And we pride ourselves on accessible membership dues and meaningful opportunities to learn and connect.

October 29, 2024 Broadridge Releases Fund Fee Trend Report

The report highlights the increased fee pressure asset managers are facing and the analysis of the resulting impact. The report found “[o]ver the past ten years, asset-weighted total expenses for both actively managed funds and passively managed funds (including ETFs) have trended downward” with the largest decreases seen in the US and the UK.

October 28, 2024 Event of Interest: Ropes & Gray to Host Securities Enforcement Forum 2024

The program will feature current and former senior SEC officials, securities enforcement and white-collar attorneys, in-house counsel and compliance executives, and other industry professionals. The Securities Enforcement Forum will showcase a Keynote Address by the SEC's Acting Director of Enforcement, Sanjay Wadhwa.

October 24, 2024 Event of Interest: EY to Host Post-Election Panel

The program will explore the immediate and long-term effects of the election results, as well as an early assessment of how these outcomes could influence legislative and regulatory shifts.

October 23, 2024 Nasdaq White Paper Highlights Cyber Preparedness Protocols for Boards

In a White Paper from the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence titled “Navigating the Cybersecurity Disclosure Conundrum” the authors highlight the major challenges in cybersecurity oversight, including where to draw the line between management’s role and the board’s role.

October 22, 2024 Event of Interest: Diligent Webinar Covering AI and Governance

The program will focus on key considerations for adopting AI that can streamline governance processes and enhance decision-making.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

October 30, 2024
In Focus - Election Preview and Implications for 2025 and Beyond
Speakers from Fierce Government Relations will discuss 2024 election preview and what that entails for the financial sector for 2025 and beyond. This virtual event will take place on Zoom at 2 pm (ET).
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Denver November 6, 2024
Director Discussion Series - Open Forum (Denver)
MFDF will host an in-person Director Discussion Series breakfast in Denver to facilitate discussions for independent directors and CCOs to discuss timely issues brought up by participants. The event will be in-person from 7:30 am to 9:30 am at the offices of Morrison Foerster LLP in Denver.
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November 7, 2024
Digital Assets in the Fund Space (Part 2 of 2)
Leaders from EY will provide an update from part 1 of this 2-part series on digital asset trends in the fund industry and highlight what directors should know about these offerings. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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Newest Resources

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MFDF Member Series - Leveraging MFDF Membership to Locate Future Directors

Leslie Beckbridge, MFDF's Operations and Member Services Manager, highlighted MFDF's Director Candidate Database, a service that provides curated candidate lists in response to member boards' requirements. The webinar provided an overview of the Database, discussed how members can use it as part of succession planning efforts, and shared insights to get the best results from your inquiry.

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DEI Resources for Fund Boards

Explore news and resources relating to diversity, equity and inclusion on fund boards.

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