Ares Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ares has 10 executives leading key functions including investment strategy, financial oversight, global operations, and asset management.

Committed to delivering superior alternative investment solutions, Ares drives long-term value through a disciplined approach to credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure markets across the globe.

Leadership Roles at Ares

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

    Michael Arougheti, the Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Ares, directs the overarching strategic vision for the firm. Overseeing the expansion of alternative investment platforms, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment across credit, real estate, and private equity asset classes. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving growth initiatives across North American and international markets. By prioritizing disciplined capital deployment, Michael Arougheti maintains the firm's competitive position within the global investment landscape. The Chief Executive Officer also collaborates with the Board to refine long-term corporate objectives. Through rigorous oversight of investment performance, Arougheti secures the firm's reputation for excellence. This executive leadership ensures that all primary and secondary investment solutions meet the evolving needs of institutional clients while fostering a culture of operational efficiency and sustainable financial performance.
    Michael Arougheti

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

    Michael Arougheti, the Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director at Ares, architects the firm's foundational investment philosophy. Focusing on the integration of private equity and infrastructure strategies, the Chief Executive Officer drives the execution of complex deal structures. This leadership role requires constant engagement with global market trends to identify high-growth opportunities. By managing the firm's risk profile, Michael Arougheti ensures the stability of the investment portfolio. The Chief Executive Officer also coordinates with senior leadership to optimize resource allocation across diverse asset classes. Through strategic decision-making, Arougheti enhances the firm's market impact and operational scale. This executive leadership supports the delivery of consistent returns for investors by maintaining a focus on long-term value creation. Arougheti continues to refine the firm's approach to alternative asset management, ensuring that all business units remain aligned with the core mission of providing comprehensive investment solutions.
    Michael Arougheti

    Christina Oh - Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity

    Christina Oh, the Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity at Ares, manages the financial health and reporting standards for the private equity division. Overseeing complex valuation models and capital structures, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and accuracy in all financial disclosures. This leadership role involves collaborating with investment teams to assess the fiscal viability of new acquisitions and portfolio management strategies. By optimizing financial workflows, Christina Oh supports the firm's ability to scale private equity operations across diverse geographic regions. The Chief Financial Officer also provides critical data-driven insights to the executive team to inform strategic investment decisions. Through meticulous oversight of fund performance, Oh maintains the integrity of the firm's financial reporting. This executive leadership ensures that the private equity group remains well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities while adhering to the highest standards of financial governance and regulatory compliance.
    Christina Oh

    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, directs the financial operations specifically for the public credit funds. Overseeing accounting practices and fund-level financial reporting, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that all public credit activities align with corporate fiscal policies. This leadership role involves managing the complexities of public market reporting and investor communications. By streamlining finance and accounting processes, Scott Lem enhances the operational efficiency of the credit division. The Chief Financial Officer also works closely with the broader finance team to ensure consistency in financial data across the firm. Through rigorous monitoring of fund liquidity and performance metrics, Lem supports the firm's ability to deliver reliable results in the public credit space. This executive leadership ensures that the public credit funds maintain robust financial health, providing a stable foundation for continued growth and investor confidence.

    Jarrod Phillips - Partner & Chief Financial Officer

    Jarrod Phillips, the Partner & Chief Financial Officer at Ares, manages the firm's overall financial strategy and corporate accounting functions. Overseeing the balance sheet and capital allocation, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the firm maintains a strong financial position to support its global investment activities. This leadership role involves coordinating with the executive team to manage corporate debt, liquidity, and financial planning. By implementing rigorous financial controls, Jarrod Phillips supports the firm's long-term growth and stability. The Chief Financial Officer also oversees the preparation of financial statements and regulatory filings, ensuring full compliance with industry standards. Through strategic financial management, Phillips enables the firm to pursue new investment opportunities across its diverse asset classes. This executive leadership ensures that the firm's financial infrastructure remains resilient, providing the necessary support for the firm's continued expansion and success in the competitive alternative investment market.
    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 reporting and accounting for both the real estate and private equity divisions. Overseeing the financial health of these specific groups, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that all investment activities are supported by accurate financial data. This leadership role involves managing the complexities of fund accounting and financial analysis for diverse asset portfolios. By streamlining financial processes, Tae-Sik Yoon enhances the operational efficiency of both the real estate and private equity groups. The Chief Financial Officer also provides critical financial insights to the leadership teams to support strategic decision-making. Through meticulous oversight of fund performance, Yoon maintains the integrity of the firm's financial reporting. This executive leadership ensures that both groups remain well-positioned to achieve their investment goals while adhering to strict financial governance standards.
    Tae-Sik Yoon

    Sidney Tso - Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer Asia Credit

    Sidney Tso, the Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer Asia Credit at Ares, directs the financial operations for the credit business within the Asian market. Overseeing regional financial reporting and accounting, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that all credit activities in Asia align with the firm's global standards. This leadership role involves managing the financial complexities of credit investments across diverse Asian economies. By optimizing regional financial workflows, Sidney Tso supports the firm's ability to scale its credit operations in this high-growth region. The Chief Financial Officer also collaborates with the global finance team to ensure consistency in financial data and reporting. Through rigorous monitoring of regional fund performance, Tso maintains the financial integrity of the Asia credit platform. This executive leadership ensures that the firm's credit business in Asia remains robust, providing a solid foundation for continued investment success and regional market expansion.
    Sidney Tso

    Hillary Mow - Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Global Client Solutions

    Hillary Mow, the Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Global Client Solutions at Ares, architects the operational framework for the firm's client-facing activities. Overseeing the integration of global client services, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the firm's investment solutions reach institutional partners effectively. This leadership role involves managing the infrastructure that supports client engagement and business development across international markets. By optimizing operational processes, Hillary Mow drives the scalability of the client solutions platform. The Chief Operating Officer also collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align client service strategies with the firm's broader investment goals. Through the implementation of advanced operational systems, Mow enhances the overall client experience. This executive leadership ensures that the firm maintains strong relationships with its global investor base, supporting the continued growth of the asset management business through efficient service delivery and strategic market positioning.
    Hillary Mow

    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 at Ares, directs the operational activities for the firm's real estate investment platform. Overseeing the day-to-day management of real estate assets and operational workflows, the Global Chief Operating Officer ensures that the division functions with maximum efficiency. This leadership role involves managing the integration of real estate strategies across global markets. By optimizing operational processes, Elaine McKay supports the firm's ability to execute complex real estate transactions and manage large-scale portfolios. The Global Chief Operating Officer also collaborates with investment teams to ensure that operational capabilities align with the firm's real estate investment objectives. Through the implementation of best-in-class operational practices, McKay enhances the performance of the real estate group. This executive leadership ensures that the firm's real estate platform remains a leader in the industry, delivering consistent value through operational excellence.

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

    Tina St. Pierre, the Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Secondaries at Ares, architects the operational strategy for the firm's secondary investment business. Overseeing the operational infrastructure required to manage secondary market transactions, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the division operates with high efficiency. This leadership role involves managing the complexities of secondary market deal execution and portfolio management. By optimizing operational processes, Tina St. Pierre supports the firm's ability to scale its secondary investment platform. The Chief Operating Officer also collaborates with investment teams to ensure that operational capabilities align with the firm's secondary market objectives. Through the implementation of advanced operational systems, St. Pierre enhances the performance of the secondaries group. This executive leadership ensures that the firm's secondary investment platform remains a leader in the industry, delivering consistent value through operational excellence and strategic market execution.
    Tina St. Pierre

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ares Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ares?
    Ares is led by Michael Arougheti (Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Michael Arougheti (Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director) and Christina Oh (Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity).
    Who is part of Ares’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ares includes leaders such as Michael Arougheti (Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Michael Arougheti (Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director), Christina Oh (Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity) 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 Partner, Director, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Partner, Chief Financial Officer, Private Equity, Chief Financial Officer & Public Credit Funds, Finance & Accounting Partner, Partner & Chief Financial Officer.