RALPH DECESARE, CFA, CAIA is Managing Director and Head of Credit Research for TD Asset Management. As part of the Toronto-based TD Bank Financial Group, one of the largest banks in North America, TDAM manages over $400 billion in assets under management on behalf of pension, insurance, endowment/foundation and corporate clients, as well as for high-net worth individuals and retail mutual funds. Prior to joining TDAM, Ralph was a director of fixed income research at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers from 1990 to 2006. Responsibilities included leading a team of fixed income analysts that helped manage over $150 billion in fixed income assets. Ralph also has had two separate terms at Standard & Poor’s Corp. as a debt ratings analyst. Ralph earned an MBA in finance from Fordham University, and a B.S. in finance from the University of Arizona. Ralph is a past President and current board member of the Fixed Income Analysts Society, Inc., a 300+ member non-profit professional organization that furthers the education and careers of its members, and is the sponsor of the FIASI Hall of Fame. Ralph is a member of the CFA Society of New York. He is a CFA charterholder and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and earned the Certificate in ESG Investing sponsored by the CFA Society.