StepStone Group Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

StepStone Group has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, administration, investment management, operations, human resources, legal, and distribution.

Focused on delivering customized private market investment solutions, StepStone Group empowers global institutional investors to build resilient portfolios across private equity, infrastructure, debt, and real estate asset classes.

Leadership Roles at StepStone Group

  • Chief Executive Officer - Scott Hart
  • Chief Operating Officer - Shoshana Lubin
  • Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer - Aiyu Nicholson
  • President, Distribution - Neil Menard
  • Partner, Chief Human Resources Officer - Richard Kasnia
  • Partner, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary - Jennifer Ishiguro
  • Executive Officer of Administrative Department - Jay Carpenter
  • Managing Director - David Huang
  • Managing Director - Taylor Benson
  • Scott Hart - Chief Executive Officer

    Scott Hart, the Chief Executive Officer at StepStone Group, directs the firm's overarching strategic vision and global market expansion. Hart oversees the alignment of investment solutions with the complex requirements of sovereign wealth funds and pension systems. By managing relationships with institutional partners, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the firm maintains a competitive edge in private equity and infrastructure markets. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of global economic trends to refine the firm's investment philosophy. Scott Hart drives the integration of data services into the core business model, enhancing the value provided to clients. Through rigorous oversight of firm-wide performance, the Chief Executive Officer secures long-term growth and stability. Hart maintains a focus on delivering superior risk-adjusted returns while navigating the evolving landscape of private markets across North America, Europe, and Asia.
    Scott Hart

    Shoshana Lubin - Chief Operating Officer

    Shoshana Lubin, the Chief Operating Officer at StepStone Group, manages the firm's day-to-day operational activities and business processes. Lubin ensures that the firm's infrastructure supports the complex needs of global institutional clients, including sovereign wealth funds and private wealth individuals. By optimizing operational workflows, the Chief Operating Officer enhances the efficiency of investment advisory and data services. This leadership role involves coordinating across departments to ensure that strategic initiatives are executed with precision. Shoshana Lubin drives the implementation of technology solutions that improve data accuracy and reporting capabilities for clients. Through rigorous oversight of operational risk, Lubin maintains the integrity of the firm's investment processes. The Chief Operating Officer supports the firm's growth by ensuring that internal systems remain scalable and resilient, allowing the organization to deliver consistent, high-quality service across all private market asset classes.
    Shoshana Lubin

    Aiyu Nicholson - Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer

    Aiyu Nicholson, the Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer at StepStone Group, manages the operational framework specific to the firm's private equity division. Nicholson oversees the execution of investment processes, ensuring that deal flow and portfolio monitoring meet the highest standards of institutional clients. By streamlining the operational lifecycle of private equity investments, the Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer enhances the firm's ability to deliver customized solutions. This role involves collaborating with investment teams to refine due diligence procedures and reporting protocols. Aiyu Nicholson drives the integration of data-driven insights into the private equity investment process, improving decision-making accuracy. Through meticulous oversight of operational performance, Nicholson ensures that the firm's private equity strategies remain competitive and efficient. The Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational excellence, supporting the firm's mission to provide superior private market investment outcomes.

    Neil Menard - President, Distribution

    Neil Menard, the President, Distribution at StepStone Group, leads the firm's global sales and client relationship management efforts. Menard architects strategies to expand the firm's reach among pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and private wealth clients. By overseeing the distribution of customized investment solutions, the President, Distribution ensures that the firm's offerings align with the specific objectives of diverse investor groups. This role involves building and maintaining long-term partnerships that drive asset growth and market penetration. Neil Menard drives the development of client-facing initiatives that communicate the firm's value proposition in private equity, infrastructure, and real estate. Through active engagement with the market, Menard identifies new opportunities for business development. The President, Distribution maintains a focus on delivering exceptional client service, ensuring that the firm's distribution efforts support its mission to provide high-quality, tailored investment solutions to institutional and private wealth clients worldwide.
    Neil Menard

    Richard Kasnia - Partner, Chief Human Resources Officer

    Richard Kasnia, the Partner, Chief Human Resources Officer at StepStone Group, directs the firm's talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies. Kasnia architects programs that foster a high-performance culture, ensuring the firm attracts top-tier professionals capable of managing complex private market portfolios. By aligning human capital initiatives with the firm's business objectives, the Partner, Chief Human Resources Officer supports the growth of investment teams across global regions. This role involves designing compensation and benefits structures that incentivize excellence and long-term commitment. Richard Kasnia drives diversity and inclusion efforts, recognizing that a broad range of perspectives strengthens the firm's investment decision-making. Through proactive talent management, Kasnia ensures that the organization maintains the expertise required to serve sophisticated clients. The Partner, Chief Human Resources Officer plays a vital role in maintaining the firm's reputation as an employer of choice within the competitive financial services industry.
    Jennifer Ishiguro, the Partner, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at StepStone Group, directs the firm's legal, regulatory, and compliance functions. Ishiguro ensures that all investment activities and advisory services adhere to global regulatory standards, protecting the firm and its clients. By managing complex legal frameworks, the Partner, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary facilitates the smooth execution of private market transactions across multiple jurisdictions. This role involves providing strategic counsel to the board and senior leadership on governance and risk management. Jennifer Ishiguro drives the development of robust compliance policies that mitigate legal exposure while supporting business growth. Through oversight of corporate secretarial duties, Ishiguro ensures transparency and accountability in all firm operations. The Partner, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary maintains a focus on navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring that the firm remains compliant while delivering innovative investment solutions to its global client base.
    Jennifer Ishiguro

    Jay Carpenter - Executive Officer of Administrative Department

    Jay Carpenter, the Executive Officer of Administrative Department at StepStone Group, manages the internal infrastructure supporting global investment operations. Carpenter optimizes administrative workflows to ensure seamless execution of advisory services for endowments and family offices. By streamlining cross-departmental communication, the Executive Officer of Administrative Department facilitates efficient resource allocation across the firm's diverse asset classes. This role involves implementing robust governance frameworks that support the firm's commitment to transparency and operational excellence. Jay Carpenter drives the adoption of internal systems that enhance productivity for investment teams. Through meticulous management of administrative functions, Carpenter supports the firm's ability to scale operations in response to increasing client demand. The Executive Officer of Administrative Department ensures that all internal processes align with the firm's broader mission of providing high-quality, customized investment solutions to a sophisticated global client base.

    David Huang - Managing Director

    David Huang, the Managing Director at StepStone Group, leads the origination and execution of private debt investment opportunities. Huang identifies high-potential assets that align with the specific objectives of institutional clients, including insurance companies and pension funds. By conducting deep-dive market analysis, the Managing Director evaluates risk profiles and return potential within the private debt sector. This leadership role involves collaborating with other senior leaders to integrate debt strategies into broader portfolio solutions. David Huang drives the expansion of the firm's footprint in credit markets, ensuring that investment strategies remain responsive to shifting interest rate environments. Through active portfolio management, Huang maximizes value for clients seeking stable income streams. The Managing Director maintains a rigorous focus on due diligence and asset selection, ensuring that every investment contributes to the firm's reputation for excellence in private market advisory services.

    Taylor Benson - Managing Director

    Taylor Benson, the Managing Director at StepStone Group, oversees the firm's real estate investment initiatives and portfolio construction. Benson architects strategies that allow clients to access high-quality real estate assets, balancing risk and return to meet specific institutional mandates. By monitoring global property market trends, the Managing Director identifies emerging opportunities that enhance client portfolio diversification. This role involves working closely with the investment committee to vet potential acquisitions and manage existing holdings. Taylor Benson drives the development of customized real estate solutions for endowments and foundations, ensuring alignment with long-term capital preservation goals. Through strategic oversight of asset performance, Benson ensures that real estate investments deliver consistent value. The Managing Director maintains a focus on operational efficiency and market intelligence, positioning the firm as a leader in providing comprehensive private market solutions to a diverse global investor base.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding StepStone Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads StepStone Group?
    StepStone Group is led by Scott Hart (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Shoshana Lubin (Chief Operating Officer) and Aiyu Nicholson (Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of StepStone Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of StepStone Group includes leaders such as Scott Hart (Chief Executive Officer), Shoshana Lubin (Chief Operating Officer), Aiyu Nicholson (Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does StepStone Group have?
    StepStone Group has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in StepStone Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of StepStone Group includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Partner & Private Equity Chief Operating Officer, President, Distribution, Partner, Chief Human Resources Officer.