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.

November 20, 2025 Board Bookshelf: Sharing the Wealth, Investing Wisdom with Next Generation (Part 3)

Investing in start-ups is not only for wealthy Silicon Valley and Wall Street types, Dawood writes, regular investors can invest in early-stage companies they care about with amounts as small as retail fund investment minimums. She breaks down the process of investing in start-ups, describes the risks (out of ten companies, five will fail, she writes), and provides access to resources where readers can find and research companies seeking startup capital.

November 19, 2025 Stradley Ronon Releases FY2025 SEC Asset Management Enforcement Analysis

The report notes that in FY2025 within the investment adviser and investment company (“IA/IC”) space, the Atkins led SEC filed 35 enforcement actions compared to Gensler’s enforcement division that filed a total of 48 stand-alone IA/IC actions during the three and a half month period that he was at the Commission.

November 18, 2025 ACA Releases 2025 AI Benchmarking Report

The survey found that 2025 was the year of “accelerated AI integration” with the number of firms using AI increasing by 20 percentage points from 2024, with 71% of firms now reporting formal AI use. The most common use-cases for AI among survey respondents were investment research and diligence (64%), compliance and risk management (49%), and marketing and communications (44%).

November 17, 2025 MFDF Event of Interest: The 2026 Directors’ Institute

MFDF’s Directors’ Institute is a directors-only, in-person program where fund directors engage as the board of directors of a fictional fund complex, the details of which are presented in a case study format provided ahead of the meeting. In 2026, the case will include issues relating to private assets, ETFs, and fixed income products as well as common fund oversight concerns including flagging performance, sub-advisory arrangements, and questions of adequate resourcing at the adviser.

November 13, 2025 Event of Interest: EY, Circle to Host Stablecoin Webinar

The program will highlight the evolving landscape of stablecoin regulation, shaped by the GENIUS Act and emerging global policy trends. Panelists Dante Disparte (Circle), Mark Nichols (EY), and Prashant Kher (EY) will discuss how these developments can guide a firm’s strategic approach to digital asset innovation and effective risk management.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

December 1, 2025
Essential Strategies in Board Oversight of AI, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technology Risks
As part of MFDF and Deloitte's Oversight of Risk Management webinar series, this webinar will focus on board oversight of AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technological issues. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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December 2, 2025
In Focus: Gartenberg Factors
MFDF's next In Focus will discuss the challenges presented during the 15(c) review process. This virutal discussion will be from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (ET).
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December 3, 2025
Digital Assets Regulatory Updates & Trends in the Industry
This webinar will offer a timely deep dive into the latest developments shaping how digital assets are governed, integrated, and trends in tokenization, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets across the fund industry. 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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Board Diversity Resources

Explore news and resources relating to fund board diversity.

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