ATHERTON, CA – A golden performance was turned in by four Oaks at the 2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge – Northern California Finals, hosted by Menlo College, as the combined talents of Haley Narahara (Women's Wrestling), Martin Fiala (Men's Soccer), Donovan Kerr (Baseball), and former Cross Country student-athlete Marc Hegele bested 18 other teams representing 13 universities across the Bay Area in a full day of rigorous financial analysis and professional competition.

Often referred to as the "Investment Olympics" with its global inclusion, the CFA Institute Research Challenge brings together top finance students to conduct in-depth equity research and present investment recommendations before senior industry professionals. This year's competition centered on a comprehensive analysis of Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a San Francisco-headquartered company.

After progressing through a highly competitive preliminary round, the students representing Menlo College delivered an exceptional final presentation and emerged as Northern California Champions.

"This competition was one of the most intellectually demanding experiences of my collegiate career," Fiala said. "It required months of deep-dive financial analysis, late nights, and a level of grit that I'm honored to have shared with such a talented group of people. Menlo College did a fantastic job hosting the event, making the victory even more special. This win is a testament to the power of collaboration and the rigorous financial education we've received."

The quartet of Oaks will now advance to the Western U.S. Regional Finals in April, with the opportunity to compete at the Global Finals in Hong Kong in May.

"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from such an inspirational team," Narahara said.

The event itself brought together 13 colleges and universities, including Chico State, Cal State East Bay, Fresno State, Dominican University, Golden Gate University, Menlo College, Saint Mary's College, Sacramento State, San Francisco State, San Jose State, UC Santa Cruz, University of Nevada – Reno, and University of San Francisco. In total, six MBA teams and 13 undergraduate finance teams participated, with more than 100 student competitors presenting before senior investment professionals and CFA charter holders serving as judges.

The day also featured an inspiring keynote address by Menlo College Trustee Jim Davlin, whose remarks on ethical leadership, discipline in capital markets, and long-term value creation resonated strongly with students and faculty alike.

"We were honored to partner with the CFA San Francisco team to host this prestigious competition at Menlo College, reflecting our strong commitment to experiential learning and academic excellence," said Menlo College Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mouwafac Sidaoui. "I am grateful to Trustee Jim Davlin for his inspiring keynote and proud of Professor Manish Tewari and our outstanding students, whose analytical rigor, professionalism, and teamwork demonstrate the strength of our Finance program."

For more than a decade, Menlo College students have consistently distinguished themselves among leading institutions at the CFA Challenge. The 2026 victory reinforced the School of Business's commitment to preparing students for leadership roles in investment management, financial analysis, and capital markets.

"Menlo College's continued success in the CFA Challenge reflects the strength and rigor of our Finance program," said Menlo College Finance Professor and Faculty CFA Team Advisor Manish Tewari. "For more than a decade, our students have competed alongside top universities in this prestigious competition, consistently demonstrating exceptional analytical skill, professionalism, and teamwork. As I enter my sixth year as CFA Faculty Team Advisor, I am proud that Menlo teams have become a respected and competitive presence across the Northern California region."