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.

July 10, 2025 MFDF Event: ETF Conversions for Fund Boards

Ropes & Gray partner Paulita Pike will highlight the top ETF conversion issues that fund boards should consider in their oversight roles.

July 9, 2025 MFDF Event: M&A and Consolidation in Asset Management

Brian McCabe, partner at Ropes & Gray, will share updates and insights on key takeaways for boards to consider in mergers and acquisitions as well as consolidations in the asset management industry.

July 8, 2025 Board Bookshelf: Adapt or Fail! A 5X5 Governance Framework for Boards of Directors by Frederick (Rick) Funston and Jon Lukomnik. 2025 DeGruyter

Mutual fund boards, hopefully, never will have to face Enron-like debacles or Kodak’s missed opportunities, however the essential lessons in Adapt or Fail may help boards improve their effectiveness in fund oversight, decision-making and governance. The authors are governance experts and adjunct professors with decades of experience in leadership.

July 7, 2025 MFDF Event: 2025 Mid-Year Tax Update with EY

EY's Amy Snyder, tax principal in EY's Asset Management practice, and Lisa Wolski, managing director of EY's Washington Council, will provide tax policy updates for boards of registered investment companies as well as an overview of the budget reconciliation package and potential impact on the fund industry.

July 3, 2025 Dechert Publishes Alert Covering Enforcement Developments at the SEC

Under Chair Atkins’ leadership, the Enforcement Division is likely to turn its focus to the “historical core mission” of the SEC, including investor protection (particularly vulnerable populations like seniors), while also focusing on classic fraud, market manipulation, and cases involving a breach of fiduciary duty.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

Philadelphia July 15, 2025
Director Discussion Series - Open Forum (Philadelphia)
MFDF will host an in-person Director Discussion Series lunch in Philadelphia to facilitate discussions for independent directors and CCOs to discuss timely issues brought up by participants. The event will be in-person from 12 pm - 2 pm at the offices of Stradley Ronon in Philadelphia.
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July 16, 2025
M&A and Consolidation in Asset Management
Ropes & Gray partner Brian McCabe will share updates and insights on key takeaways for boards to consider in M&A and consolidations in the asset management industry. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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July 17, 2025
ETF Conversions
As part of MFDF's ETF webinar series, Ropes & Gray partners will highlight the top ETF conversion issues that fund boards should consider in their oversight roles. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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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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Board Diversity Resources

Explore news and resources relating to fund board diversity.

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