# Ken Moelis

> Ken Moelis is an American investment banker who founded Moelis & Company in 2007 after serving as president of UBS Investment Bank. He became executive chairman in October 2025, handing the CEO role to co-founder Navid Mahmoodzadegan while continuing to advise clients. His career began at Drexel Burnham Lambert and included leading corporate finance at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette; his educational philanthropy with Julie Taffet Moelis includes Wharton sports business research and deferred MBA admission.

- **Role:** Executive Chairman and Founder at Moelis & Company
- **Organizations:** Moelis & Company, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Business Council, Business Roundtable, LA28, MA Financial Group, Moelis Asset Management
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Economics, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, M.B.A., Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- **Known for:** Founded Moelis & Company in 2007 and led it as CEO through September 2025., Took Moelis & Company public in April 2014., Named Euromoney Banker of the Year in 2014.

## Career timeline

- **1981** — Began his investment banking career at Drexel Burnham Lambert.
- **1990-2000** — Worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, ultimately as Head of Corporate Finance.
- **2001-2007** — Worked at UBS, ultimately as President of UBS Investment Bank.
- **2007** — Founded Moelis & Company with partners including Navid Mahmoodzadegan and Jeff Raich.
- **2008** — Ken and Julie Moelis gave $5 million to the Wharton Sports Business Initiative.
- **2013-2023** — Served on the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees.
- **2014** — Moelis & Company completed its IPO; Euromoney named Ken Moelis Banker of the Year.
- **2017** — Ken and Julie Moelis committed $10 million to establish the Moelis Advance Access Program at Wharton.
- **2025** — Became Executive Chairman on October 1; Navid Mahmoodzadegan succeeded him as CEO.

## Achievements

- Founded Moelis & Company in 2007 and led it as CEO through September 2025.
- Took Moelis & Company public in April 2014.
- Named Euromoney Banker of the Year in 2014.
- Co-funded the Wharton Sports Business Initiative with a $5 million gift announced in 2008.
- Co-funded the Moelis Advance Access Program with a $10 million commitment announced in 2017.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — An FII Institute summit report recorded his warning that private markets can hide volatility when assets are not priced daily.
- **2026-02** — Moelis & Company reported 2025 GAAP revenue of $1,516.8 million; Navid Mahmoodzadegan was CEO and Ken Moelis executive chairman.
- **2026-01** — On January 20 the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the judgment invalidating provisions of the firm’s 2014 stockholder agreement, finding the challenge untimely; it did not rule on the provisions’ substantive validity.
- **2025-10** — Became Executive Chairman effective October 1, continuing to advise clients.

## Links

- Website: https://www.moelis.com/team/ken-moelis/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-moelis-a28911169

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ken-moelis
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22