Russell Shtern, CFA, leads the portfolio management team with 26 years of investment experience. He previously served as a senior portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton managing smart beta and active multi-factor equity strategies, and was head of equity portfolio management and trading at QS Investors (Legg Mason affiliate). He also managed diversification-based investing and tax-managed equity strategies at Deutsche Asset Management Quantitative Strategies group. Russell earned a BBA with honors in finance and a minor in economics from Pace University and is a CFA Charterholder. The team is supported by Sanne V de Boer (PhD, CFA) with 23 years of experience as Head of Systematic Equities, and Kai Yee Wong with 34 years of experience specializing in quantitative equity strategies.

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The fund employs the Voya Machine Intelligence (MI) Dynamic Small Cap Strategy, which combines the depth and rigor of fundamental analysis with the breadth and scalability that machine learning models bring. The strategy utilizes proprietary non-linear machine learning models that analyze approximately 250 fundamental features derived from over 10,000 data points per company. This AI-driven, opportunistic active strategy seeks to deliver idiosyncratic alpha without static factor or style biases, working best in volatile markets to take advantage of mispriced and overlooked stock opportunities. The approach maintains robust risk management including active screens for negative events, controversies, crowding and ESG risks.

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