Robert J. Caruso is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Architects Fund and Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of its parent company, Human Elevation. Human Elevation is a global investment and technology firm, that is building an interconnected and interdependent network of funds, technologies, and institutional and cooperative entities, designed to aggregate and empower a global community around a new economic design, that will lift people out of poverty through technology. The Architects Fund is the investment vehicle for Human Elevation designed to increase the value of its assets under management through acquisitions, buyouts, and venture capital investments for its community members, investors, and partners. Before Human Elevation, Robert was a Co-Founder and Chairman of Impact Republic with partner Christopher Jennings, a business consultancy based in New York City. Before Impact Republic, Caruso was Managing Partner and the President of Select Equity Group, Inc. Select Equity Group and its affiliates managed in excess of $10 Billion in client funds in the global public and private equity markets. In addition, Caruso was a member of the firm’s Operating, Management, and Executive Committees, responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm and its operations. As a part of the Executive Committee, Caruso was accountable for the overall management, strategy, business development, and risk management of Select Equity. Before Select Equity, Caruso was a Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of Highbridge Capital Management. Highbridge Capital Management and its affiliates managed over $40 Billion in client funds in the global debt and equity securities, private equity, currencies, and commodities markets. Caruso was the Chairman of the firm’s Operating, Risk Oversight, and Compensation Committees and was responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm and its operations. In addition, Caruso was a member of the firm’s Investment, Markets, Management, and Executive Committees. Before Highbridge Capital Management, Caruso was a Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer, and the Treasurer of Robertson Stephens, a San Francisco-based global investment bank. Robertson Stephens underwrote notable venture-backed IPOs such as Pixar and E*Trade. In addition, Caruso was the Chairman of Robertson Stephen’s Credit, Risk Oversight, New Product, and Operating Committees. Caruso was also a member of the Capital Commitment, Management, and Executive Committees of the firm.
Caruso is a former member of the Board of Trustees of Saint Joseph’s University and Chairman of the Investment Committee, The Princeton Healthcare System and Chairman of the Investment Committee and current member of the board of trustees of the McCarter Theater Center and former President, and the former Board of Directors member of Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC. Caruso is also the Founder and Chairman of The Kantian Foundation, a private non-profit foundation focusing on impact investing.
Caruso holds a B.S. degree from Saint Joseph’s University. Caruso resides in Princeton, New Jersey, with his wife and children.
