Michael Hughes has over 35 years of investment experience and is responsible for leading the investment management efforts for Verus’ discretionary consulting (OCIO) business. In this role, Mr. Hughes partners with the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Strategic Research teams to establish strategic and tactical investment views, oversee OCIO portfolios, and design customized investment solutions tailored to meet unique client needs. He ensures the effective implementation of portfolio strategies and oversees the selection of top-tier investment managers across both public and private markets.
Prior to joining Verus, Mr. Hughes served as a Senior Portfolio Manager at The Northern Trust, where he oversaw investment activities for large and sensitive high-net-worth personal trusts, individual investment portfolios, and endowment funds. Before Northern Trust, Mr. Hughes was the Chief Investment Officer for a multibillion-dollar investment advisor, where he assembled and led a team of investment professionals to create and deliver expert investment solutions for clients.
Mr. Hughes began his professional career working on various trading desks for Shearson Lehman Hutton before advancing into institutional fixed income management. In this capacity, he served as the lead portfolio manager on core fixed income mutual funds, common trust funds, and institutional separate accounts.
Mr. Hughes is an active member of his community, serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations such as PROVAIL and Summit Assistance Dogs, both of which work to enhance the life choices of individuals in the disabled community. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Seattle, and he also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
Mr. Hughes graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Southern California with a master of business administration (MBA) and magna cum laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder, earning a bachelor of science (BS) in finance.
