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 30, 2024 Event of Interest: ACA to Host Webinar on Outsourcing Governance, Risk, and Compliance Roles

The program will discuss how outsourcing governance, risk and compliance (GRC) services can enhance efficiency, manage costs, and streamline operations across the entire enterprise.

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.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

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 12, 2024
ETF Share Class
As part of MFDF's ETF webinar series, Mike Mundt, partner at Stradley Ronon, will discuss key features of the ETF share class structure, the challenges that those features might present, and particularly the board responsibilities as they are currently conceived in the applications for relief. This webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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Los Angeles November 13, 2024
Director Discussion Series - Open Forum (Los Angeles, CA)
MFDF will host an in-person Director Discussion Series lunch in Los Angeles, CA to facilitate discussions for independent directors and CCOs to discuss timely issues brought up by participants. The event will be in-person from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the offices of PwC located at 601 South Figueroa Street, Ste. 900 in Los Angeles, CA.
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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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