Professional
Michael Westphal, CFA®, serves as Director of Investments at Foster Group. In this role, Michael is responsible for overseeing the trading and portfolio management operations, as well as the investment strategy for client portfolios. Prior to joining Foster Group, Michael spent more than five years as an equity portfolio manager. He has an extensive background in asset allocation, risk management, and other asset classes beyond public equities, including hedge funds, private equity, fixed income, and credit default swaps. He is a CFA® charter holder and a member of the CFA Society of Iowa.
Personal
From being an analyst on a credit default swap trading desk during the 2008 financial crisis to managing individual stock portfolios, I have explored many different areas of the financial markets. I have a deep passion for learning and talking about investments, and I am excited to help our clients achieve their financial goals.
When the Iowa weather cooperates, you can often find me out on the golf course. I have been fortunate enough to play some of the greatest golf courses in the United States, including Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, Torrey Pines, Sand Valley, and all the courses at Bandon Dunes (my favorite place on earth). At other times, you can find me reading a good book, listening to podcasts at 2x speed, or cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones.
Education
Graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Mathematics from Iowa State University