Stefanie Drews, CEO of Amova and experienced global asset manager, describes leading a rebrand and international expansion. She discusses Asia’s appetite for thematic innovation, fintech and digital wealth growth, Amova’s Southeast Asia strategy, and balancing career, single motherhood, and environmental purpose. The conversation highlights leadership, cultural fit, and steady, purpose-driven progress.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Partnership Born From A Single Webinar
Stefanie Drews recounts Amova's (formerly Nikko) first contact with ARK after a webinar led to a partnership that reshaped their brand and product offering.
The collaboration seeded thematic innovation funds in Japan and expanded ARK's research reach across Asia.
insights INSIGHT
Japan's Barbell Approach To Innovation
Japan's innovation adoption is 'barbell' shaped: conservative in some areas yet fast and advanced in others like robotics and fintech.
Stefanie argues Japan moves slowly in appearance but executes rapidly once decisions are made.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Malaysia Deal Accelerates Asian Expansion
Stefanie describes Amova's acquisition of Aham Capital to deepen its Southeast Asia presence and join digital-wealth, PE, and Sharia-compliant offerings.
The deal adds ~400 employees and ~$30 billion AUM, accelerating regional distribution for products including ARK's.
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In this episode, ARK CEO and CIO Cathie Wood sits down with Stefanie Drews, the newly appointed CEO of Amova (formerly Nikko Asset Management). Together, they explore the evolution of a decade-long partnership that helped shape both firms — and delve into Stefanie’s remarkable leadership journey as a woman at the helm of a global asset manager. From Amova’s recent strategic expansion in Asia to Stefanie's philosophy of integrating personal, professional, and purpose-driven goals, this conversation blends business insight with human depth. Stefanie also shares how her experiences as a single mother, an environmental advocate, and a structured leader have shaped the way she builds companies and raises a family — simultaneously, and without compromise.
Key Points From This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction — Cathie Wood introduces Stefanie Drews and Amova’s significance to ARK
[02:00] Why “Amova”? The origin and meaning behind the rebrand
[06:50] How ARK and Amova (formerly Nikko) first connected — a webinar, a cold call, and early alignment
[10:30] Japan’s surprising appetite for innovation and thematic investing
[15:00] Fintech’s rapid uptake in Asia and ARK’s early research shifts
[16:15] Misconceptions about Japanese retail investors and their sophistication
[18:45] Social media, translation, and virality of ARK’s research in Japan
[20:00] Amova’s expansion into Southeast Asia: Malaysia, digital wealth, and private equity
[22:00] Six-part growth strategy and ticking boxes for Amova’s 10-year global plan
[29:20] Stefanie's leadership philosophy: raising children with structure, empathy, and independence
[31:25] Career stumbles and moral realignment: learning to face yourself and course-correct
[34:10] What’s next? Stefanie on continuous progress, purpose, and leading with intent
Amova Asset Management (“Amova”) is a current client of ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK Invest”) in its capacity as a sub-adviser. Amova is also a compensated promoter for ARK Invest. Amova has entered into an agreement with ARK Invest whereby ARK Invest has agreed to pay Amova a fee in exchange for Amova referring investors to ARK Invest’s ETFs. For its services to ARK Invest, Amova will receive 25% of the advisory fees received by ARK Invest for referred seed investors with respect to the initial seed investment. ARK Invest will also compensate Amova 25% of the advisory fees received by ARK Invest from referred investors other than seed investors in respect of the monthly holdings of each referred investor who has invested into one or more of ARK’s ETFs, excluding those of initial investments made by seed investors. The compensation arrangement will continue for so long as the referred investors remain invested in ARK’s ETFs. The advisory fees charged to the ETFs will not be affected by the fees paid to Amova, because Amova’s compensation will be paid solely from ARK Invest’s investment management fee. Amova and its representatives may also receive non-cash compensation from ARK Invest, such as attendance at events, entertainment and gifts. Receipt of cash and non-cash compensation influences Amova’s referral of investors to ARK Invest.
FYI - For Your Innovation