Master of the modern exchange-traded fund, CEO of Ark Invest, and top stock-picker Cathie Wood has sent a shockwave through the financial field with her focus on disruptive technologies. Wood has been universally recognized as an expert investor who founded and grew her own company, and she’s already made a lasting impact on the financial world.
Born in Los Angeles in 1955, Wood was surrounded by science at a young age, as her father was a radar system engineer who encouraged her to learn about his profession. She finished her studies at Catholic high school Notre Dame Academy and in 1981 graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics.
Fighting through the many obstacles that come with building a company, Wood registered Ark Investment Management LLC in 2014 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Through the company, she produced the exchange-traded fund ARKK, which gained 153% in 2020 and has an average annual return rate of 40%.
Wood created Ark to package active stock portfolios into an ETF format and does so through what she calls “disruptive innovation.” This allows the Ark to invest in companies offering services and products to meet the needs of an ever-changing world facing a continuous cycle of calamity.
Prior to ARC investment, Wood managed a $5 billion portfolio as Chief Investment Officer of Global Thematic Strategies for 12 years. She also oversaw $800 million when she co-founded a hedge fund at Tupelo Capital Management, another company she had founded. Additionally, Wood held the titles of Chief Economic Analyst, Equity Research Analyst, Portfolio Manager, and Director while working with Jennison Associates.
She was also a featured speaker at the World Economic Forum in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Bloomberg listed Wood as one of the 50 people defining global business and, in 2019, she was appointed as part of a roundtable of experts for Fortune's annual Investors Guide.
Wood is constantly striving to improve the financial field and help it move forward in the modern age. She has filled many important roles throughout her lifetime, and is currently working to expand her company—which has already grown around 450% since 2016. Wood continues to produce impressive results in her sector, and the example she’s set inspires women in business to put their all into what truly invigorates them.