216-292-2950 [email protected]

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE
FOR INSIGHTFUL,
ORIGINAL RESEARCH

        

At Shaker Investments, we apply our proven and repeatable philosophy and collaborative team structure to deliver authentic active management. Our distinct, high conviction portfolios are designed to provide optimal opportunities to help clients grow their capital over the long-term.

We aim to generate superior returns through a disciplined investment approach that emphasizes strong risk-adjusted performance while actively managing uncertainty.

Client-Centered Partnerships

As an employee-owned firm, we invest our own capital alongside yours, sharing both the risks and rewards. This alignment of interests ensures our recommendations are made with the utmost conviction. Our employee ownership fosters accountability and dedication, with every team member personally invested in your achievements. 

With decades of industry experience, our team possesses the insight to navigate complex financial sectors. Experience the difference of a firm that truly partners with you.

Understanding Our Story

Understanding Our Story

Founded in 1991 by our current CEO, Edward Hemmelgarn, Shaker Investments is a boutique, SEC-registered, employee-owned investment management firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. The firm was established with a commitment to constructing high-conviction portfolios and prioritizing out clients’ interests.

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Invest With Confidence

Invest With Confidence

Our investment philosophy is grounded in the 11 characteristics of superior growth of a Shaker stock, which guide our portfolio construction process. Over the past thirty years, we have refined these characteristics, providing our research team with a strong blueprint for success.

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Our Commitment to Giving Back

Our Commitment to Giving Back

Shaker Investments cultivates a culture of support for both employees and the community. We are committed to assisting our employees and clients, as well as championing the causes that matter to them.

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“We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive the Manager of the Decade Award for the Shaker Small Cap Growth Strategy. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to our process, and we couldn’t be more excited about the journey ahead as we continue to drive growth and create value for our investors.” – Edward Hemmelgarn, Co-CIO.

Read more about the Manager of the Decade Award here.

Our Journey of Growth and Excellence

October 1991

Shaker Investments founded by Edward Hemmelgarn

October 1991

Inception of Shaker Fundamental Growth Strategy

June 1996

Ray Rund joins Shaker Investments

January 1999

Inception of Shaker Investments Tower Fund LP

2000

Dot-Com bubble

July 2004

Inception of Shaker Small Cap Growth Strategy

August 2005

Sasha Kostadinov joins Shaker Investments

November 2006

Anthony Panuto joins Shaker Investments

2007

Start of the Global Financial Crisis

2008

Soft-closed strategies – Structured firm as family office

August 2011

Kacie Wick joins Shaker Investments

October 2012

Brandon Hemmelgarn joins Shaker Investments

2016

Re-opened strategies for new investors

June 2016

Ashley Arsena joins Shaker Investments

September 2017

Chris Hemmelgarn joins Shaker Investments

November 2018

Brad Wheeler joins Shaker Investments

July 2020

Brandon Hemmelgarn promoted to Co-Chief Investment Officer

February 2021

Small Cap Growth Strategy awarded top strategy by SMArtX Advisory Solutions

March 2021

Shaker Strategies awarded PSN Top Gun Awards

September 2022

Kacie Wick promoted to Chief Compliance Officer

December 2022

Shaker Small Cap Growth Strategy receives 5-star overall rating with Morningstar

January 2023

Andrew Frye joins Shaker Investments

June 2023

Brad Wheeler promoted to President

June 2023

Edward Hemmelgarn and Ashley Arsena were awarded AdvisorHub’s Advisor to Watch

March 2023

Shaker Small Cap Growth Strategy awarded PSN Top Gun Manager of the Decade

January 2024

Shaker Investments recognized on the list of Weatherhead 100 Companies

February 2024

Ashley Arsena promoted to Senior Business Development and Client Service Officer

June 2024

Ashley Arsena awarded AdvisorHub’s 100 Top Women Advisors To Watch

June 2024

Shaker Small Cap Growth Strategy awarded PSN Top Gun Bull & Bear Master

March 2025

Small Cap Growth Strategy Awarded Manager of the Decade

March 2025

Andrew Frye Promoted to Senior Research Analyst

It's a Popup Test

Andrew Frye

Senior Research Analyst

Andrew first joined Shaker in 2022 as an intern on the research team. Following his internship, Andrew accepted a full-time position with Shaker Investments as a Research Analyst. Andrew was promoted to Senior Research Analyst in 2025. Andrew’s primary role is to work with the Portfolio Managers on monitoring existing ideas, tracking competitors, and new idea generation. Andrew brings an analytical approach to modeling companies.

Prior to joining Shaker Andrew worked as a summer analyst intern with Progressive Insurance in the Real Estate Control Group. Andrew received his BA in Economics, Political Science, and Business Management and his Masters of Business Analytics and Intelligence from Case Western Reserve University.

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Ashley Arsena, CFP®

Senior Business Development and Client Service Officer

Ashley's journey with Shaker began in 2016 where she quickly established herself to be an integral part of the team. From handling operations to executing trades and providing top-notch client services, Ashley has showcased her versatile skill set. Currently, a vital member of the Business Development and Client Services team, she dedicates her days to building strong relationships with both existing and potential clients.

Ashley is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. She has earned a Certificate in Financial Planning from New York University School of Professional Studies and received her BA in Business Management from Baldwin Wallace University with a minor in Human Resources.

Ashley was recognized on AdvisorHub's 100 Women Advisors to Watch in 2024 (#29) and Top 50 Woman Advisors to Watch in 2023 (#48). She has also been recognized as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Five Star Professional in 2024.

Ashley currently serves on the board of Hope for Kids Geauga. She is also an active member of CFA Society of Cleveland, serving as a member of the Women's Advisory Committee.

Ashley lives in Bainbridge with her wife Jessica and young children Connor and Avery.

Email Ashley Arsena
*Participating in the ranking is free and AdvisorHub received no compensation from participating advisors. To read more about Advisor Hub's methodology and to view the full list please click here.

Anthony J. Panuto II

Head of Trading and Technical Analysis

Anthony is responsible for Trading Operations and Technical Analysis. He joined Shaker Investments in November 2006 and has spent over nineteen years working in investment advisory and capital markets. Anthony focuses his time at the firm on two main areas, managing the trading and operations desk and providing technical analysis on the investment research team.

Prior to joining Shaker Investments, he was a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley in their Global Wealth Management Group.

Anthony is currently a member of the Ohio Securities Traders Association where he has held several chair and officer positions in the past and is still involved in their fundraising and charitable efforts. He also has previously served on the board of ROAM, a local community betterment organization focused on music education and is actively seeking out other philanthropic opportunities to help him stay involved in his community.

Anthony received his BS in Finance from John Carroll University and is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative (FINRA Series 66).

He and his wife Christyn live in Aurora with their son Lucas and dog Charlie.

Email Anthony J. Panuto II

Chris Hemmelgarn

Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst

​Chris is a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at Shaker Investments. He is responsible for researching new and existing investments as well as portfolio management at Shaker Investments. He joined Shaker in 2017 and covers a range of companies and sectors with a focus on technology, financial services, energy, and utilities.

Prior to joining Shaker Investments, Chris worked in Sell-Side Research as a Vice President at Barclays covering Semiconductors. His primary responsibilities included company and market analysis and forecasting, publishing research, client marketing, and relationship management of company and industry contacts. He also worked as an Associate at Morgan Stanley developing and analyzing business management metrics.

Chris earned his MBA (with Distinction) specializing in Finance and Corporate Finance at the NYU Stern School of Business. He also received his BSFS in International Politics from Georgetown University.

Chris is an avid golfer and cook, and is learning the joy of maintaining a 100-year-old home after a decade plus in Manhattan apartments.

Email Chris Hemmelgarn

Sasha A. Kostadinov, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst

Sasha is co-manager of the Small Cap Portfolio and conducts research on consumer discretionary, consumer staples, materials, and health care sectors for all of the portfolios at Shaker Investments. He has spent more than twenty years working in the equity markets, the last nineteen with Shaker Investments.

Prior to joining Shaker Investments, he was a research analyst at Clarion Group, a Cleveland, Ohio-based long-short hedge fund. Prior to that, he was a research analyst at KeyBanc Capital Markets (formerly McDonald Investments). Prior to that, Sasha was a Financial Consultant at Smith Barney.

Sasha is a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and received his BA in Economics and Political Science and MA in Economics at Cleveland State University.

He and his wife, Ruthann, reside in Lakewood with his guitars.

Email Sasha A. Kostadinov, CFA

Raymond J. Rund

Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst

Ray is the Senior Research Analyst and has been covering the technology and industrials sectors since joining Shaker Investments in 1996. 

Prior to joining Shaker Investments, Ray was a General Partner in an early-stage venture capital partnership for nine years, where he organized the first round of venture funding for RF Micro Devices and served on their board for six years prior to the company’s IPO. In 2015 RF Micro merged with Triquint Semiconductor to become Qorvo, a leading supplier of integrated circuits used in wireless communications.  Ray also headed marketing at Keithley Instruments, was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, and worked in engineering and marketing for Intel. Early in his career Ray worked as an engineer for Combustion Engineering and Westinghouse Electric in Pittsburgh.

Ray currently serves on the Investment Committee of the Harvard Business School Club of Northeast Ohio, is a member of the Finance and Investment Committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and serves on and was former chair of the Retirement Fund Committee for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

Ray earned his BS, magna cum laude in Engineering & Applied Science at Yale University, an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA from Harvard University.

Ray is a long time Clevelander, and an avid Lake Erie sailor. He and his wife Jeanne live in Shaker Heights where they enjoy being close to their three adult children and grandson. 

Email Raymond J. Rund

Kacie Wick

Chief Compliance Officer

Kacie joined Shaker Investments in 2011 as the company’s controller. In 2022, Kacie was promoted to Chief Compliance Officer. She brings over 20 years of professional experience in operational and financial management for various for-profit and non-profit organizations in Boston and Cleveland.

Prior to joining Shaker Investments, she was Director of Clinical Research Administrative Operations in the School of Medicine at Case Western Research University where she managed a research grant portfolio of over $40 million. She has also worked as the Director of Finance for the Weatherhead School of Business at Case Western Reserve University, Director of Operations at Village Preparatory School; Operations Manager at Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education; and Center Financial Manager at Education Development Center.

Kacie received her Masters of Accounting from Case Western Reserve University, where she graduated magna cum laude and her BS in Management from Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Kacie is currently working towards her Investment Advisor Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP) designation.

Kacie currently serves as a trustee for the Tod Homestead Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio and is a former treasurer for her local girl scout Troop 70204 and the Onaway PTO. She lives in Shaker Heights with her two daughters.

Email Kacie Wick

Brandon A. Hemmelgarn

Co-Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager

Brandon is the co-Chief Investment Officer at Shaker Investments. With over 14 years of industry experience, Brandon leads the investment team at the firm. He is also responsible for researching new and existing investments and portfolio management for all three of the firm’s strategies. Prior to being promoted to co-Chief Investment Officer in 2020, Brandon was a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at the firm for 8 years. He covers a range of companies and sectors including technology, consumer products and services, industrials, and materials.

Prior to joining Shaker, Brandon worked on the investment team at Audax Group, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on growing middle market companies.

Brandon is a former board member of the Washington Association of Money Managers and the Private Equity Association of Boston.

Brandon received his BA, summa cum laude, in Economics from Princeton University and is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative (FINRA Series 65). He and his wife, Shelby, reside in Arlington, Virginia, with their sons Thomas and Ted. When time permits, Brandon still enjoys lacing up his skates and taking to the ice rink.

Email Brandon Hemmelgarn

Bradley Wheeler

President

Brad Wheeler serves as the President of Shaker Investments, overseeing the firm’s strategy, business development, and operations. With more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Brad has built a career focused on advising institutional investors, endowments, and leading financial institutions.

Before being named President, Brad was Vice President and Head of Business Development at Shaker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a founding partner of Cleveland Research Company, where he established institutional client relationships in Boston and led the firm's international expansion by opening its London office. Earlier in his career, Brad was a partner at FTN Midwest Research and worked in commercial banking at US Bank.

Brad previously served as President of both the Shaker Youth Hockey Association and the Shaker Heights High School Sports Boosters.

He holds a B.A. in Public Finance from Miami University and an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

Brad and his wife, Laura, live in Shaker Heights and have two adult children.

Email Bradley J. Wheeler

Edward P. Hemmelgarn

CEO & Co-Chief Investment Officer

Edward Hemmelgarn is the CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Shaker  Investments. Edward’s primary focus is leading the investment team as well as portfolio management for all three of Shaker’s strategies. His research focus includes healthcare, financial services, and real estate.

Prior to founding Shaker Investments in 1991, Edward was the Chief Financial Officer of Retail Banking at Ameritrust Corporation (now KeyBank). Prior to that, Edward worked at Ernst & Young focusing on mergers and acquisitions and strategic and financial management consulting.

He received a BA in Chemistry and a MBA from the Case Western Reserve University, where he also served as an instructor for numerous courses. Mr. Hemmelgarn is a former CPA.

Edward is currently a board member at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Edward is also on the Visiting Committee of Case Western Reserve University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He is a past recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Business. He was named Accounting Alumnus of the Year in 2003, and a recipient of Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Chemistry’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2016.

Edward and his wife, Jan, reside in Shaker Heights.

Email Edward P. Hemmelgarn