Fadel Lawandy

Fadel Lawandy, with over three decades of experience in the financial industry, possesses a wealth of expertise across various domains. His areas of specialization include banking, credit management, commercial real estate acquisition and financing, corporate finance, capital restructuring, distressed debt, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio/fund design and management, private equity and debt, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and venture capital.

After retiring as the executive managing director of HW Financial Group, a middle-market investment bank, and serving as the co-founder and president of HW Capital Partners, an opportunistic funds company, Fadel joined the George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics at Chapman University. His impressive career also includes managing an event-driven equity fund at Smith Barney.

Currently, Mr. Lawandy holds the positions of director at the C. Larry Hoag Center for Real Estate and Finance and the Janes Financial Center, where he contributes to shaping the future of finance and real estate education. As a professor of finance and real estate, he imparts his extensive practical knowledge to students.

In addition to his academic roles, Fadel collaborates with President Emeritus Jim Doti and Professor Raymond Sfeir to prepare and present Chapman University’s A. Gary Anderson Economic Forecast, a tradition dating back to 1979. His insightful articles frequently appear in publications such as the OCBJ, OC Register, and L.A. Times.

In 2023, Lawandy collaborated with S&P Dow Jones Indices to establish and currently oversees the Chapman University California 100 (CUCA100) and the Chapman University Orange County 25 (CUOC25) equity indices. These indices are unique in that they exclusively track the performance of the California and Orange County equity markets.

Beyond academia, Mr. Lawandy holds the esteemed position of chairman of the Investment Committee for the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of California’s endowment, which boasts assets exceeding $1 billion. As the chairman, working alongside four other committee members, Lawandy plays a pivotal role in shaping the investment strategy. His responsibilities encompass several critical areas which include crafting a well-balanced investment portfolio, strategically allocating assets across both public and private markets including real assets, preliminary and ongoing due-diligence activities, and diligently monitoring performance at both the manager and portfolio levels.

His journey began at Wells Fargo & Co., where he held various management positions across Wells Fargo Bank, Wells Fargo Financial and Wells Fargo Mortgage. Recently, he returned to his banking roots by joining the advisory board of Partners Bank of California, where he provides valuable expertise on market trends, regulatory changes and emerging technologies.

Beyond his board role with Partners Bank of California, Mr. Lawandy has an impressive track record of board service. He served as a two-term chairman of the board and president of the CFA Society Orange from 2014 to 2016. Currently, he remains an active member of the board of directors, having dedicated 18 years to this esteemed board.

In addition to his banking endeavors and board service, Mr. Lawandy serves as the CFO for his family-owned Neurosurgical Group in Southern California. His early career involved managing his family’s construction and real estate development enterprise, culminating in a successful business exit in 1994.

Lawandy, a lifelong seeker of knowledge, recently achieved the designation of Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA). He holds a BS/BA degree from the George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics at Chapman University and later pursued his MBA at Norwich University.

Fadel’s commitment extends beyond finance. He actively volunteers with nonprofit organizations, striving to enhance his community. Notably, he serves as a trustee for Shriners, the treasurer of Anaheim Masonic Lodge, and the treasurer for the Ancient Order of the Red Cross of Constantine. Additionally, he contributes as a professional service responder with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.