Michael Arougheti

Early Life and Education

Michael Arougheti was born in the United States. As a youth, Arougheti had an early interest in business, running a baseball card trading business at age 13. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethics, Politics and Economics, cum laude, from Yale University.

Rise to Success

Arougheti began his career in finance at Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he was a member of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions Group. He subsequently held roles at Indosuez Capital and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). In 1997, Arougheti co-founded Ares Management Corporation. He became CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, Ares Management has grown into a global alternative investment manager with a wide range of investments, including credit, private equity, and real estate.

Key Business Strategies

Ares Management's success is attributed to a focus on providing steady returns. The firm has expanded its assets under management to approximately $419 billion, as of the most recent reporting. Ares's largest business is its direct lending segment. The company has also made key acquisitions, including American Capital in 2017 and Black Creek Group's real estate advisory business in 2021, contributing to its growth and market position.

Philanthropy

Arougheti is actively involved in philanthropy, serving as the Chairman of the Ares Charitable Foundation. He also serves on the Governing Board of Directors of Operation HOPE, a non-profit focused on expanding economic opportunities. Additionally, he is a member of the Leadership Council for PATH, an international nonprofit global health organization. Arougheti also co-owns the Baltimore Orioles.