Dave Donabedian named Outstanding Chief Investment Officer
David Donabedian, CFA, of CIBC Private Wealth, US, named Outstanding Chief Investment Officer by Family Wealth Report
NEW YORK, NY, May 29, 2025—CIBC Private Wealth, US, today announced that Co-Chief Investment Officer David L. Donabedian, CFA, has been recognized with the Outstanding Chief Investment Officer (CIO) award by Family Wealth Report (FWR). FWR, a renowned publication within the wealth management industry, announced the awards in New York City earlier this month.
“Dave’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding our investment team while offering the highest level of service and tailored investment strategies to our clients,” said John S. “Jack” Markwalter, Jr., CEO of CIBC Private Wealth, US. “This award reflects his dedication to our clients and our commitment to helping them achieve their financial ambitions."
The Outstanding CIO Award recognizes a demonstrably successful investment professional working in a multi-family office. Under Donabedian’s leadership, FWR has recognized CIBC Private Wealth, US, six times for its investment platform. Earlier this year, Private Asset Management awarded the firm with the Best High Net-Worth Investment Platform award for the third consecutive year, marking the 13th consecutive year that the publication recognized the firm’s investment program.
This is the fourth consecutive year that a professional from CIBC Private Wealth, US, has been honored by FWR and the sixth time in total. In 2016, Donabedian received FWR’s award for Leading Individual— Multi-Family Office.
Donabedian is Co-Chief Investment officer for CIBC Private Wealth, US, serving alongside fellow Co-CIO, Gary Pzegeo (as of January 2025). His responsibilities include providing oversight of internal investment strategies and the external manager selection platform. He is also a member of the CIBC Private Wealth Operating Committee. As a leading investment expert, Donabedian has appeared on television networks, including CNBC and Bloomberg TV, and provides insights in publications such as Barron's and The Wall Street Journal. He received a Bachelor of Science in economics and a Bachelor of Arts with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University with a concentration in finance. Donabedian holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
This year’s accolade marks the 16th time the firm has received recognition from FWR since 2014. In previous years, FWR has recognized CIBC Private Wealth, US, in the following categories:
- Private Client Investment Platform, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017
- Women in Wealth Management—Senior Equity Trader, Frances Boatwright, 2021
- Best Multi-Family Office, 2019, 2015
- Women in Wealth Management (Individual—WM Organizations), Highly Commended— Senior Relationship Manager, Kimberly Dwyer, 2018 (retired)
- Private Client Investment Platform (Highly Commended), 2016
- Leading Individual (Multi-Family Office)— Senior Relationship Manager and Investment Professional Richard Havey, CFA, 2024 (retired), Managing Director, Wanda Colburn, 2023 (retired), Vice Chairman, Eric Propper, CFA 2022, CEO of CIBC Private Wealth, US, John S.“Jack” Markwalter, Jr., 2018, Chief Investment Officer, David L. Donabedian, CFA, 2016
- Multi-Family Office (Client Initiative), 2016
Disclosures
Banking solutions offered by CIBC Bank USA, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. CIBC Bank USA and CIBC Private Wealth Group, LLC are both indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of CIBC. The CIBC logo is a registered trademark of CIBC, used under license. Investment Products Offered are Not FDIC-Insured, May Lose Value and are Not Bank Guaranteed.
Family Wealth Report awards are determined by a panel of judges’ review of questionnaires. The categories are focused around three main areas (1) Experts (individuals and teams); (2) Products; and (3) Services for wealth managers and clients/institutions of all sizes and types.
2025, Family Wealth Report, “Outstanding Chief Investment Officer (CIO)”
This award recognizes a demonstrably successful investment professional working in an multi-family office. Dave Donabedian, CFA, was one of six CIOs shortlisted and the only recipient of this award.
2025, Private Asset Management, “Best High-Net Worth Investment Platform.” Feb. 5, 2025.
The detailed information provided by CIBC Private Wealth included information on both internal and external strategies as of July 31, 2024. The firm was one of three shortlisted for this award, and was the only one to win. Criteria used included delivery of client objectives through risk-adjusted performance across a range of investment solutions and demonstration of client servicing standards, including client testimonials.
2024, Family Wealth Report, “Private Client Investment Platform”
The award recognizes investment platforms specializing in servicing the investment needs of the high net worth community. CIBC Private Wealth was one of six firms shortlisted and the only recipient of this award.
2024, Family Wealth Report, “Leading Individual (MFO)”
Richard “Dick” Havey, CFA, was the only 2024 recipient of this award. The award recognizes an individual working in the private client world.
2024, Private Asset Management, “Best High-Net Worth Investment Platform.”
The detailed information provided by CIBC Private Wealth included information on both internal and external strategies as of July 31, 2023. The firm was one of four shortlisted for this award, and was the only one to win. Criteria used included delivery of client objectives through risk-adjusted performance across a range of investment solutions and demonstration of client servicing standards, including client testimonials.
2023, Family Wealth Report, “Leading Individual (MFO)”
Wanda Colburn was the only 2023 recipient of this award. The award recognizes an individual working in the private client world.
2023, Private Asset Management, “Best High-Net Worth Investment Platform.”
The detailed information provided by CIBC Private Wealth included information on both internal and external strategies as of July 31, 2022. The firm was one of five shortlisted for this award, and was the only one to win. Criteria used included delivery of client objectives through risk-adjusted performance across a range of investment solutions and demonstration of client servicing standards, including client testimonials.
2022, Family Wealth Report, “Private Client Investment Platform”
The award recognizes investment platforms specializing in servicing the investment needs of the high net worth community. CIBC Private Wealth was one of seven firms shortlisted and the only recipient of this award.
2022, Family Wealth Report, "Leading Individual (MFO)"
Eric Propper, CFA, was one of five candidates shortlisted and the only recipient of this award. The award recognizes an individual working in the private client world.
2021, Family Wealth Report, “Private Client Investment Platform”
The award recognizes investment platforms specializing in servicing the investment needs of the high net worth community. CIBC Private Wealth was one of five firms shortlisted and the only recipient of this award.
2021, Family Wealth Report “Women in Wealth Management”
The award recognizes women in private banking or wealth management who are an inspiration both to clients and colleagues. Frances Boatwright was one of six individuals shortlisted and the only recipient of this award.
2019, Family Wealth Report, "Best Multi-Family Office"
CIBC Private Wealth Management was one of five firms shortlisted for the “Multi-Family Office ($15 billion AuM/AuA and above)” award and was the only award recipient.
2018, Family Wealth Report, "Private Client Investment Platform "
CIBC Atlantic Trust was one of eight firms shortlisted and the only firm to receive this award. The award recognizes investment platforms specializing in servicing the investment needs of the high net worth community.
2018, Family Wealth Report, "Leading Individual (MFO)"
Jack Markwalter was one of eight candidates shortlisted and the only recipient of this award. The award recognizes an individual working in the private client world.
2017, Family Wealth Report, "Private Client Investment Platform "
CIBC Atlantic Trust was one of five firms shortlisted and the only firm to receive this award. The award recognizes investment platforms specializing in servicing the investment needs of the high net worth community.
2016, Family Wealth Report, "Multi-Family Office (Client Initiative)"
Atlantic Trust was one of five firms shortlisted and the only firm to receive this award. The award recognizes new initiatives for clients from multi-family offices of any size or reach.
2016, Family Wealth Report, "Leading Individual (Multi-Family Office)"
David Donabedian was one of three candidates shortlisted and the only recipient of this award. The award recognizes an individual working in the private client world.
2016, Family Wealth Report, "Private Client Investment Platform"— Highly Commended
Atlantic Trust was one of five firms shortlisted for this award and the only firm to be recognized as "highly commended" in this category. The award recognizes investment platforms specializing in servicing the investment needs of the high net worth community.
2015, Family Wealth Report, "Best Multi-Family Office"
Atlantic Trust was one of seven firms shortlisted. This award recognizes multi-family offices with a genuinely national reach as determined by a panel of judges’ review of firm questionnaires.
Rankings, ratings or awards may not be representative of any specific client's experience. Any reference to a ranking, rating or an award provides no guarantee for future performance results and is not constant over time. These awards and recognitions may name Atlantic Trust or CIBC Atlantic Trust, which is now part of CIBC Private Wealth. CIBC logo is a registered trademark of CIBC, used under license.
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