Kim Kardashian hires top professionals

Kim Kardashian's private equity firm, SKKY Partners, has recently hired six financial industry professionals, including a new chief operating officer who previously worked at Apollo Global Management Inc. The firm, co-founded by Kardashian and former Carlyle Group Inc. partner Jay Sammons last year, now has almost a dozen employees and is expecting to exceed 15 by the end of 2023. Kardashian expressed her excitement about the firm's progress and diversity, stating that they are looking forward to seeing their first investments come to fruition.

The team at SKKY Partners consists of six women and two LGBTQ employees. Kaitlin May, the firm's new COO, previously worked at Apollo, Citigroup Inc., and Putnam Investments, where she was the head of global institutional management. Joining as vice presidents are Brittany Serafino, who came from L Catterton, and Zachary Litner, a former employee of Bain Capital.

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Based in Boston, SKKY Partners focuses on investing in the consumer products and media industries, with co-managing partners and co-founders Kardashian and Sammons leading the charge. Although Kardashian first gained fame from the reality TV show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," she has also launched several successful businesses, including the undergarment company Skims. Sammons, a Carlyle veteran of 17 years, has worked on investments in brands such as Beats by Dre, skincare company Philosophy, and cosmetics company Beautycounter.

In addition to the previously mentioned hires, SKKY Partners has also welcomed Riyanka Ganguly, a former employee of Blackstone Inc., as a senior associate. Ashley Baxter, who previously worked at growth investment firm Stripes, has joined as an associate. The firm has also recently appointed Mark Urso, who comes from Petra Funds Group, as their new director of finance. In 2022, they added a managing director, David Brisske, who had previously worked at Permira.

According to Jay Sammons, co-founder of SKKY Partners, both he and Kardashian recognize the power of diversity and inclusive cultures in promoting impactful and creative thinking. Sammons emphasized that they are building SKKY Partners with this approach in mind, as they believe it is the right way to make the best decisions.