Early Life
Michael Arougheti was born on October 10, 1972. As a teenager, he ran a baseball card trading business, setting up tables at collectibles shows in suburban New York City.
Rise to Success
Arougheti's career includes experience at Kidder, Peabody & Co., Indosuez Capital and Royal Bank of Canada. He co-founded Ares Management Corporation in 1997. Since 2018, he has served as CEO of Ares Management, where he helped build and grow the firm's private credit business. Ares has become one of the most successful firms on Wall Street, managing $596 billion in assets (as of November 2025).
Key Business Strategies
Ares Management focuses on providing steady returns through a credit-focused strategy, making loans to mid-sized companies. The firm diversified early, moving from credit into private equity, real estate, and infrastructure, creating a powerful cross-platform synergy. Ares's focus on compounding yield has attracted a broad range of institutional clients. Additionally, Ares has expanded its platform through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
Philanthropy
Arougheti serves as the Chair of the Ares Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and is on the Governing Board of Directors of Operation HOPE. He is also a member of the Leadership Council for PATH, an international nonprofit global health organization.