Discover how behavioral finance helps advisors manage client emotions and build lasting wealth.
Behavioral Science, pioneered by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, is reshaping the financial services industry. This introductory course explores how understanding client behavior is critical to the success of financial advisors, planners, consultants, and investment professionals. Through engaging insights from C. Thomas Howard, PhD—CEO and CIO of AthenaInvest, a leader in Behavioral Portfolio Management—you’ll gain a strong foundation in Behavioral Finance and its role in modern wealth management.
You’ll explore how emotional reactions to market volatility, rooted in human evolution, affect investment decisions. The course also covers common behavioral biases and cognitive errors that both clients and professionals face. Learn how helping clients manage emotions not only strengthens relationships but also contributes to better long-term financial outcomes.
Phd, CEO and Chief Investment Officer
C. Thomas Howard, PhD is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer of AthenaInvest. Dr. Howard oversees Athena’s ongoing research which has led to a number of patents, industry publications and conference presentations. He is a Professor Emeritus at the Reiman School of Finance, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver where he taught courses and published articles for over 30 years in the areas of investment management and international finance. Professor Howard’s thought leadership in Behavioral Portfolio Management has generated significant interest across the country with record downloads of his "Behavioral Portfolio Management" white paper. Articles by Dr. Howard have been among the most widely read on sites such as AdvisorPerspectives.com, CFAInstitute.org and FAmag.com. He is regularly invited to speak on applying behavioral finance at financial advisor and investment manager conferences throughout the US and Canada. Dr. Howard holds a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho, an MS in management science from Oregon State University, and a PhD in finance from the University of Washington.
