Meet the ARK Team

Cathie registered ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”) as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2014. Prior to ARK, Cathie spent twelve years at AllianceBernstein as Chief Investment Officer of Global Thematic Strategies where she managed $5 billion. Cathie joined Alliance Capital from Tupelo Capital Management, a hedge fund she co-founded which, in 2000, managed $800 million in global thematic strategies. Prior to her tenure at Tupelo Capital, she worked for 18 years with Jennison Associates as Chief Economist, Equity Research Analyst, Portfolio Manager and Director. She started her career in Los Angeles, California at The Capital Group as an Assistant Economist. Cathie received her Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in Finance and Economics from the University of Southern California in 1981. In 2016, Cathie received the “Women in Finance – Outstanding Contribution Award” from Market Media. 

Catherine's favorite innovator: Nicolaus Copernicus

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Kellen joined ARK in April 2016. As ARK’s General Counsel (in the interim) and Chief Compliance Officer, Kellen provides a full range of regulatory, compliance and legal advice to ARK on all business matters. Kellen began his career as a Securities Compliance Examiner in the Office of Compliance, Inspections, and Examinations (OCIE) at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) New York regional office. After OCIE, Kellen was an Attorney-Adviser in the SEC’s Division of Investment Management’s Risk and Examinations Office. Subsequently, Kellen was a Management Consultant at Ernst & Young, LLP in the Wealth and Asset Management group. Kellen received his Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development with a concentration in International Development from Vanderbilt University and his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law.  Kellen is admitted to practice law in New York and Georgia.  

Kellen's favorite innovator: Benjamin Banneker

Brett joined ARK in February 2014.  Brett has worked alongside Cathie for almost 10 years since their time at AllianceBernstein.  As Director of Research, Brett directs the proprietary research of ARK’s investment team.  Initially, Brett directed research for ARK as principal and founder of iamB Consulting, a firm that specializes in dimensioning the ramifications of innovation and disruption for investors and high-growth ventures. From 2007 to 2012, he conducted thematic research and advised portfolio managers as a member of AllianceBernstein’s Research on Strategic Change team. His research topics included “Global Energy in the Face of Carbon Dioxide Regulation,” “Social Media and the Rise of Facebook,” the “Reformation of the Financial Services Landscape,” and the “Emergence of Electric Vehicles.” Prior 2007, Brett worked in business development in the Radio-Frequency Identification industry. Brett earned is Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at MIT.

Brett's favorite innovator: Alexander Winton 

Tom Staudt joined ARK in June 2014.  As ARK’s Chief Operating Officer (in the interim), Tom manages and oversees the daily operations of the firm.  As ARK’s Director of Product Development, Tom screens financial markets for new opportunities and evaluates and implements ARK’s product portfolio.  Prior to joining ARK, he worked in a media sales and consulting role for WILX-TV, an NBC affiliated television station for Central Michigan. Prior to WILX-TV, Tom interned at Fidelity Investments in their mutual fund department, and also consulted on millennial investing behavior to TIAA-CREF. Tom received his Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude, in Finance and Economics from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Arts in Telecommunications Policy from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in New Media Management from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, and his Master of Business Administration from Cornell University.

Tom's favorite innovator: Julius Nieuwland

Althea joined as an Executive Assistant at ARK in April 2014.  In 2002, Althea began her career at AllianceBernstein where she worked for twelve years as an Administrative Assistant to Cathie, who was then the Chief Investment Officer for Global Thematic Strategies. On behalf of the Thematic team at AllianceBertstein, Althea also collaborated and coordinated with several senior level managers and investment professionals around the world.

Althea's favorite innovator: Madam C.J. Walker

Sebastian joined ARK in June 2014.  As the Director of Marketing, Sebastian focuses on ARK’s marketing strategy and implementation, managing ARK’s digital marketing and tracking ARK’s success metrics.* Prior to ARK, Sebastian worked for several years in advertising, media production, and corporate publishing. As a Project and Sales Manager for Oestreicher+Wagner, he worked closely with companies such as BMW Group and AMB Generali to guide their transition to mobile publishing. In 2012, he received a German Fulbright Scholarship to come to the United States. Sebastian received a Bachelor of Engineering in Media Technology from Munich University of Applied Sciences, a Masters of Science in New Media Management from the Newhouse School, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

Sebastian's favorite innovator: Johannes Gutenberg

*Since August 2015, Sebastian has been working for ARK as an external consultant based out of Munich, Germany.

Lisa joined ARK in July 2015.  Lisa is ARK’s Strategic Marketing and Development Manager, focusing on marketing operations, business development, corporate communications, and public relations. Prior to ARK, Lisa worked as the Marketing Manager for the national commercial real estate company, Pioneer Companies. In that capacity, she collaborated with all departments to design and implement marketing strategies across platforms that built brand recognition and fostered business development. Lisa received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Colgate University and a Masters of Science in New Media Management from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Lisa's favorite innovator: Sir Tim Berners-Lee

Will joined ARK in October 2014. As Trading Manager, he works closely with Tom and Cathie managing ARK’s investment strategies. Prior to ARK, Will was an intern at TIAA-CREF with responsibilities including financial modeling and forecasting for numerous business and technology projects. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, cum laude, from Bryant University in Rhode Island.

Will's favorite innovator: Alan Turing

Chris joined ARK as a Next Generation Internet analyst in August 2014, covering big data, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency. After ARK became the first public fund manager to invest in bitcoin, Chris transitioned to the role of Blockchain Products Lead. He now collaborates with the ARK business development team and performs deep dive research on the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Chris regularly speaks at conferences and has contributed to CNBC, Bloomberg, WSJ, USA Today, the Guardian and other media outlets on topics relating to Bitcoin, Ethereum and more. He also chairs the Blockchain Assets Working Group for the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance. Chris graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford.

Chris' favorite innovator: Satoshi Nakamoto

Tasha joined ARK in January 2014 and is an analyst for ARK’s Industrial Innovation strategy and The 3D Printing ETF. She covers autonomous cars, additive manufacturing, infrastructure development, and innovative materials. Previously, she worked for almost three years as a management consultant for Applied Value, working primarily with manufacturing and automotive clients.

Tasha is a graduate of Boston University’s Collaborative Degree Program with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance concentration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Statistics with a Pure and Applied Mathematics concentration. Tasha has appeared on CNBC, BNN, Cheddar Live, and frequent webinars with Robotics Business Review. She has been quoted and had her research featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Wired, the Verge, Bloomberg, CNNMoney, and Marketwatch, among other publications. 

Tasha's favorite innovator: Nikola Tesla

Sam joined ARK as a thematic analyst on the Industrial Innovation team in July 2015. His focus is on automation, robotics, energy storage, alternate energy, and space exploration. Prior to ARK, Sam was a business development intern at Graphiq, a knowledge graph and visualization company. Prior to Graphiq, Sam worked as a captain for Sail Caribbean. Sam graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he studied Cognitive Science with a concentration in Computation and Cognition. He has appeared on BNN and Cheddar, and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications. 

Sam's favorite innovator: Daniel Bernoulli

Manisha joined ARK as a thematic analyst on the Genomic Revolution team in February 2016. Her focus is on Instrumentation, Targeted Therapeutics, Agricultural Biology, Diagnostics and Stem Cells. Prior to ARK, Manisha worked as a management consultant for Kepler Cannon. Before that, she gained experience as a business solution analyst at Attensity America. Manisha graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and Society: Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

Manisha's favorite innovator: Barbara McClintock

Julia joined ARK as a thematic analyst on the Genomic Revolution team in July of 2016. Her focus is on bioinformatics, instrumentation, molecular diagnostics and agricultural biology. Prior to ARK, Julia was an Analyst in the Private Fund Group at Credit Suisse in New York. She is a graduate of Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Julia's favorite innovator: Benjamin Franklin

James joined ARK as an analyst in the Next Generation Internet team in April 2015, focusing on artificial intelligence and the next wave of the internet. James worked for nine years at NVIDIA where he helped launch GeForce Experience, a PC gaming application with over 80 million users. He founded and edited GeForce.com, NVIDIA’s gaming portal with over 15 million visitors. He has written about the technology industry since 2000 for various magazines and publications. James graduated from the University of New South Wales with Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Engineering.

James' favorite innovator: Gordon Moore

Bhavana joined ARK as a Fintech (Financial Technologies) and Next Generation Internet Thematic analyst in November 2016. She focuses on digital payments, mobile payments, digital banking, and consumer finance. Prior to ARK, Bhavana worked to develop payment products and software for American Express. Following that, she worked with the United Nations and Nuru International, where she was actively involved in developing and understanding financial educational tools and services in emerging markets. Bhavana has a Master of Arts degree in International Policy Studies with a concentration in International Political Economy from Stanford University, and a Master in Management degree from the London School of Economics.

Bhavana's favorite innovator: Claude Chappe

Michelle joined ARK in January of 2017 as a Compliance and Operations Senior Associate.  Prior to ARK, Michelle worked for KPMG LLP in the Governance Risk and Compliance sector within the Risk Consulting practice.  Michelle is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Michelle's favorite innovator: Jane Austen

Caroline joined ARK in September 2016. In her role as a Marketing Associate, Caroline helps to implement ARK’s social media and marketing strategy, and contributes to the photography and videography on ARK’s website. Prior to joining ARK, Caroline worked for a photography studio and art gallery while devoting her free time to fundraising at Save the Children. She graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in Art History and a minor in Spanish.

Caroline's favorite innovator: Maria Montessori