Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Kathryn Wilkens: Empowering Investors with Alternative Investment & Data Science Expertise
Kathryn Wilkens, Ph.D.
Quantitative Product Engineer | Founder, Pearl Quest, LLC
Kathryn Wilkens builds data-driven investment products that unite quantitative research, financial insight, and technology. As founder of Pearl Quest, LLC, she develops forecasting engines, sector analytics platforms, and feature-engineering frameworks that turn complex data into actionable investment intelligence.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning finance, data science, and education, Kathryn has become known for translating academic and technical methods—such as generalized additive models, mutual information–based feature selection, and machine learning pipelines—into practical, transparent tools for professional investors.
She teaches in the Master of Financial Analysis program at Rutgers Business School, where she helps graduate students bridge the gap between financial theory and modern quantitative implementation.
Before founding Pearl Quest, Kathryn served as Curriculum Director at CAIA and as an advisor to the Financial Data Professional (FDP) program, helping shape global education standards in alternative investments and financial technology. She has authored peer-reviewed articles and over 40 published research summaries connecting academic findings with practitioner insights.
Today, Kathryn focuses on quant-product innovation—building and refining intelligent systems that enhance investment decision-making while maintaining interpretability and rigor.
Outside of finance, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Coalition to End Homelessness, applying her analytical and systems-thinking approach to community problem-solving in South Florida.
Publications
Books & Study Guides
- Wilkens, K. Alternative Investments: Expanding Frontiers, 2025 (forthcoming on Leanpub book link)
- Kazemi. H, S. Das, and K. Wilkens, Financial Data Professional Study Guide, 2020-2024.
- Wilkens, K., S. McCary, and U. Garay. CAIA Exam Review Study Guide, Level II, Volumes 1 & 2, Wiley, 2019
- Wilkens, K. and S. McCary, CAIA Exam Review Study Guide, Level I, Volumes 1 & 2, Wiley, 2018
- Wilkens‐Christopher, K., Editor. CAIA Level II: Advanced Core Topics in Alternative Investments. John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
- Wilkens‐Christopher, K., Preface for CAIA Level I: An Introduction to Core Topics in Alternative Investments by Mark Anson. John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
- Wilkens‐Christopher, K. CAIA Level II: Integrated Topics and Applications, 2010‐2011. Institutional Investor, 2009.
- Wilkens‐Christopher, K. CAIA Level II: Current and Integrated Topics, 2009‐2010. Institutional Investor, 2009.
- Wilkens, K. CAIA Level II: Integrated Topic Readings (2008‐2009, 2007‐2008, 2006‐2007). Institutional Investor, NY.
- Wilkens, K., Lacey, N., Gupta, B., and J. McCreanor. CAIA Level II: Advanced Topic Readings, 2005‐2006. Institutional Investor, NY, 2005.
- CAIA Level I Study Guide and CAIA Level II Study Guide (2003-2009). CAIA Association, Amherst, MA.
- KalmNotes Study Guides and KalmPrep Software (2003-2006). KalmAI, Inc.
Book Chapters
- Wilkens, K. “Ethics, Sound Practices and Valuation Guidelines.” The Euromoney Hedge Funds & Alternative Investments Handbook. London, UK, 2008.
- Gupta, B. and Wilkens, K. “An Evaluation of the Commodity Exposure in Commodity Trading Advisors.” In Intelligent Commodity Investing: New Strategies and Practical Insights for Informed Decision Making. Edited by Hilary Till and Joseph Eagleeye, Risk Books, 2007.
- Chambers, D. and Wilkens, K. “Absolute Performance and Correlation Persistence of Hedge Funds Returns: An Analysis Using the CISDM Database.” In Hedge Funds and Managed Futures – The Handbook for the Institutional Investor. Edited by Greg N. Gregoriou and Dieter Kaiser, Risk Books, 2006.
- Wilkens, K. “Hedge Fund Indices: Are They Cost‐Effective Alternatives to Fund of Funds?” In Fund of Hedge Funds: Performance, Assessment, Diversification and Statistical Properties. Edited by Greg N. Gregoriou, Elsevier Press, 2006.
- Wilkens, K., C. Morales, and L. Roman. “Maximum Drawdown Distributions with Volatility Persistence.” In Hedge Funds: Insights in Performance Measurement, Risk Analysis, and Portfolio Allocation. Edited by Gregoriou, Hubner, Papageorgiou, and Rouah, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2005, pp. 245‐5.
- Wilkens, K., K. Makhurjee, and G. Darling. “Commodity Trading Advisor Performance Evaluation with Data Envelopment Analysis.” In Commodity Trading Advisors: Risk, Performance Analysis and Selection. Edited by Gregoriou, Karavas, Rouah, and L’Habitant, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004, pp. 79‐104.
- Wilkens, K. and J. Zhu. “Classifying Hedge Funds Using Data Envelopment Analysis.” In Hedge Funds in a Black Box: A Quantitative Approach. Edited by G. N. Gregoriou, V. N. Karavas, and F. Rouah, Beard Books, 2003, pp. 161‐75.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Heck, J. L., Wilkens, K., & Cochran, S. “Effects of Mean Reversion on Alternative Investment Strategies.” Managerial Finance, Vol. 32, No. 1 (2006), pp. 14‐38. Read more.
- Heck, J. L., Wilkens, K., & Cochran, S. “Risk and Return Properties of Portfolios Based on Directional Forecasts.” Managerial Finance, Vol. 31, No. 8 (2005), pp. 58‐76. Read more.
- Wilkens, K. and J. Zhu. “Portfolio Evaluation and Benchmark Selection: A Mathematical Programming Approach.” The Journal of Alternative Investments, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Summer 2001), pp. 9‐20. Read more.
- Wilkens, K. “Evidence on Risk/Return Patterns in Cash and Futures Markets for Systematic Alternative Investment Strategies.” The Journal of Alternative Investments, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Fall 2000), pp. 45‐67. Read more.
- Glazier, J. and Wilkens, K. “Skill and Turnover: Requirements for Investment Performance.” The Journal of Alternative Investments, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Summer 1999), pp. 22‐33. Read more.
Industry Publications & White Papers
- Kazemi, H., and K. Wilkens. A Simple Approach to the Management of Endowments. CAIA Blog (2017) Read More
- Wilkens, K. "Ethics, Sound Practices and Valuation Guidlines," Chapter 9, The Euromoney Hedge Funds & Alternative Investments Handbook, Prtt of Euromoney Institutional Investors, PLC.
- Warsager, R., Ryan Duncan, and K.Wilkens “A Comparison of Two Hedge Fund Strategies: CTA and Global Macro.” The AIMA Journal, June 2004 (Part I) and September 2004 (Part II).
- Wilkens, K., N. Thomas, and M. S. Fofana. “Stability of Technology Stock Prices: Evidence of Rational Expectations or Irrational Sentiment?” Managerial Finance, Vol. 30, No. 12 (June 2003), pp. 33‐54. Read more.
- Bailey, B. A., J. L. Heck, and Wilkens, K. “International Mutual Fund Performance and Political Risk.” Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2005), pp. 167‐84. Read more
- Bianco, C., P. Clarke, and Wilkens, K. “Lucent Technologies: Growth Projections, Analyst Recommendations, and Financial Distress. A Case Analysis.” Advances in Financial Education (Fall 2003), pp. 94‐110.
- Wilkens, K. “A Discussion-Based Exercise Emphasizing the Role of Scientific Methods in Finance.” The Journal of Financial Education, Vol. 29 (Summer 2003), pp. 98‐107. Read more.
Practical Applications Reports
Practical Applications Reports are published by Portfolio Management Research of With.Intelligence, the publisher of a family of journals, including the Journal of Financial Data Science, Journal of Portfolio Management, Journal of Alternative Investments, and more. The short reports are designed to bridge the gap between financial theory and practice. They distill technical research down to the central concepts and practical takeaways, allowing institutional investors to quickly implement key research methods and ideas. Kathryn regularly writes reports for PMR and enjoys keeping abreast of the latest developments and sharing them in this format. As of early 2025, she has written more than 40 reports.