Ares Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ares has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, and operations.

Driven by a commitment to client success, Ares offers complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure asset classes, solidifying its position as a leading global alternative investment manager.

Leadership Roles at Ares

  • Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director - Michael Arougheti
  • Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Michael Arougheti
  • Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner - Scott Lem
  • Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer Asia Credit - Sidney Tso
  • Partner & Chief Financial Officer - Jarrod Phillips
  • Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Ares Real Estate Group and Ares Private Equity Group - Tae-Sik Yoon
  • Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity - Christina Oh
  • Partner & Chief Operating Officer - Sharad Bajpai
  • Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of Ares Real Estate - Elaine McKay
  • Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Secondaries - Tina St. Pierre
  • Michael Arougheti - Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director

    Michael Arougheti, the Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director at Ares, architects the firm's overarching strategy and directs its global operations. Arougheti's leadership guides the company's mission to provide clients with complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across diverse asset classes, including credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure. This strategic direction ensures Ares maintains its status as a premier alternative investment manager. Overseeing the executive team, Arougheti drives the firm's expansion and innovation, fostering a culture of disciplined investment and client-centric service. The Chief Executive Officer's role involves critical engagement with the board and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the company's long-term vision and financial objectives. Through rigorous oversight, Michael Arougheti ensures the effective execution of investment strategies, directly impacting the firm's market performance and client trust.
    Michael Arougheti

    Michael Arougheti - Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Michael Arougheti, the Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Ares, spearheads the strategic vision and corporate governance. Arougheti's executive purview encompasses the firm's global expansion initiatives and the development of innovative investment solutions. This leadership ensures Ares consistently delivers value across its credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure platforms. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities include fostering key relationships with institutional investors and partners, reinforcing Ares' position in the alternative investment landscape. By championing a forward-thinking approach, Michael Arougheti drives operational excellence and cultivates a robust organizational framework. This role demands a deep understanding of market dynamics and a commitment to sustainable growth, ensuring the firm's continued success and client satisfaction.
    Michael Arougheti

    Scott Lem - Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner

    Scott Lem, the Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner at Ares, manages the financial health and accounting operations for the firm's public credit funds. Lem's oversight extends to financial reporting, capital allocation, and fiscal strategy, ensuring robust financial controls across these critical areas. The Chief Financial Officer's role involves close collaboration with investment teams to support fund performance and investor relations. By driving efficiency in finance and accounting, Scott Lem strengthens the operational backbone of the public credit division. This leadership position is vital for maintaining investor confidence and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Lem's expertise directly contributes to the strategic financial management of Ares' public credit offerings.

    Sidney Tso - Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer Asia Credit

    Sidney Tso, the Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer Asia Credit at Ares, directs financial operations and strategy for the firm's credit investments across Asia. Tso's responsibilities encompass financial planning, reporting, and capital management within the Asian credit markets. The Chief Financial Officer's role is integral to supporting Ares' expansion and investment activities in the region. By ensuring rigorous financial oversight, Sidney Tso contributes to the stability and growth of the Asia credit portfolio. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of regional financial landscapes and regulatory environments. Tso's financial acumen is vital for navigating the complexities of Asian credit markets and maximizing investment performance.
    Sidney Tso

    Jarrod Phillips - Partner & Chief Financial Officer

    Jarrod Phillips, the Partner & Chief Financial Officer at Ares, oversees the comprehensive financial strategy and management for the firm. Phillips' purview includes financial planning, accounting, treasury, and investor relations, ensuring fiscal discipline and strategic resource allocation across all Ares business segments. The Chief Financial Officer's role is pivotal in guiding the company's financial performance and capital structure. By driving financial efficiency and transparency, Jarrod Phillips supports the firm's growth objectives and commitment to delivering value to stakeholders. This leadership function is essential for maintaining robust financial controls and fostering investor confidence. Phillips' strategic financial leadership underpins Ares' overall market position.
    Jarrod Phillips

    Tae-Sik Yoon - Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Ares Real Estate Group and Ares Private Equity Group

    Tae-Sik Yoon, the Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Ares Real Estate Group and Ares Private Equity Group at Ares, manages the financial operations for two of the firm's core investment divisions. Yoon's responsibilities include financial planning, reporting, and capital management specifically for the real estate and private equity portfolios. The Chief Financial Officer's dual role ensures integrated financial oversight across these significant business units. By providing strategic financial guidance, Tae-Sik Yoon supports the growth and performance of both the real estate and private equity groups. This leadership function is critical for optimizing investment strategies and ensuring financial integrity within these sectors. Yoon's expertise drives financial success for key Ares platforms.
    Tae-Sik Yoon

    Christina Oh - Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity

    Christina Oh, the Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity at Ares, directs the financial strategy and operations for the firm's private equity investments. Oh's responsibilities encompass financial planning, performance analysis, and capital deployment within the private equity sector. The Chief Financial Officer's role is vital for supporting the growth and profitability of Ares' private equity funds. By ensuring robust financial controls and reporting, Christina Oh enhances the operational efficiency of the private equity division. This leadership function is key to maximizing investor returns and maintaining the firm's competitive edge in private equity. Oh's financial acumen drives strategic decision-making for private equity initiatives.
    Christina Oh

    Sharad Bajpai - Partner & Chief Operating Officer

    Sharad Bajpai, the Partner & Chief Operating Officer at Ares, directs the firm's operational infrastructure and efficiency initiatives. Bajpai's responsibilities include optimizing business processes, managing technology investments, and ensuring seamless execution across all Ares platforms. The Chief Operating Officer's role is crucial for scaling operations to support the firm's growth in credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure. By enhancing operational frameworks, Sharad Bajpai supports the delivery of investment solutions to clients. This leadership function ensures that the firm's internal systems and workflows are robust and adaptable to market demands. Bajpai's strategic focus on operational excellence underpins Ares' ability to manage complex investment strategies effectively.

    Elaine McKay - Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of Ares Real Estate

    Elaine McKay, the Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of Ares Real Estate, oversees the operational strategy and execution for the firm's extensive real estate investments. McKay's leadership ensures the efficient management of real estate assets and portfolios, driving value creation and operational synergy across global markets. The Global Chief Operating Officer's role involves enhancing operational frameworks to support Ares' real estate investment objectives. By focusing on process optimization and risk management, Elaine McKay strengthens the operational capabilities of the real estate division. This critical function supports the firm's commitment to delivering superior returns in the real estate sector. McKay's strategic direction ensures the smooth functioning of all real estate operations.

    Tina St. Pierre - Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Secondaries

    Tina St. Pierre, the Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Secondaries at Ares, leads the operational execution for the firm's secondaries business. St. Pierre's responsibilities include optimizing operational processes, managing risk, and ensuring efficient transaction execution within the secondaries market. The Chief Operating Officer's role is critical for scaling the secondaries platform and enhancing its service delivery. By driving operational excellence, Tina St. Pierre supports the strategic objectives of Ares' secondaries investment strategies. This leadership function ensures the smooth and effective management of complex secondary transactions. St. Pierre's operational expertise strengthens Ares' capabilities in the secondaries space.
    Tina St. Pierre

    Explore Leadership Teams in Finance

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ares Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ares?
    Ares is led by Michael Arougheti (Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director), along with executives such as Michael Arougheti (Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Scott Lem (Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner).
    Who is part of Ares’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ares includes leaders such as Michael Arougheti (Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director), Michael Arougheti (Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Scott Lem (Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ares have?
    Ares has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ares’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ares includes roles such as Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner, Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer Asia Credit, Partner & Chief Financial Officer.