#United States #CFO #Boston #Ara Partners #Masumi Waida

Ara Partners Welcomes Masumi Waida as Chief Financial Officer

Ara Partners, a leading global private equity and infrastructure company with a strong focus on industrial decarbonization, has officially appointed Masumi Waida as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This strategic decision, announced on September 29, 2026, is an essential step in strengthening Ara's leadership team as the firm looks to scale its operations further in the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable investment.

With an impressive track record spanning over two decades in investment management, Mr. Waida brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before joining Ara Partners, he served as CFO at ACON Investments, a respected middle-market private equity firm. His leadership there allowed him to hone his expertise in managing finance functions during periods of substantial growth—a skill set that will be invaluable to Ara as it continues to innovate and expand.

Troy Thacker, Managing Partner at Ara Partners, expressed his confidence in Waida’s abilities, stating, "Masumi has built and led finance functions at global investment firms through periods of significant growth, and that experience will serve Ara and our investors well. As we continue to scale our platform, his discipline and depth make him exactly the right person to lead our finance organization." This statement underscores the high expectations the company has for Waida’s strategic contributions.

In his role as CFO, Waida will be responsible for directing corporate and fund finance, accounting, tax, financial reporting, and treasury operations at Ara Partners. He will also be instrumental in building out the firm's finance and operations infrastructure, which is critical to supporting its diverse strategies in private equity, infrastructure, and energy sectors. Waida stated, "Ara has built a differentiated platform in an area of the market where capital is genuinely needed. I'm looking forward to building the infrastructure to support the firm's next phase of growth."

Mr. Waida’s extensive experience extends beyond ACON Investments. He previously held the position of Managing Director and CFO for the Mount Kellett Funds at Fortress Investment Group. Earlier in his career, he was a Vice President at Lehman Brothers, where he managed various private equity and hedge fund products. His diverse expertise positions him uniquely to understand the complexities of the investment landscape and guide Ara Partners effectively.

Educationally, Waida is well-qualified, holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) certified by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. This solid educational background complements his extensive hands-on experience in the financial sector.

Founded in 2017, Ara Partners has established itself as a significant player in the private markets, focusing on decarbonizing the industrial economy. By investing in middle-market enterprises across three primary strategies—Private Equity, Infrastructure, and Energy—the firm aims to promote commercially viable solutions for decarbonization, support the businesses that facilitate these solutions, and minimize emissions across traditional energy value chains.

As of June 30, 2026, Ara Partners reported approximately $10.6 billion in assets under management, indicating its growth trajectory and the trust it has garnered from investors.

The appointment of Masumi Waida as CFO is a pivotal moment for Ara Partners, as it seeks to enhance its operational efficiency and continue making strides in the field of sustainable investment. For additional information on Ara Partners and its initiatives, please visit www.arapartners.com.