Aureus Asset Management

Aureus Asset Management

Aureus Asset Management began in 2005 when Karen Firestone left Fidelity and David Scudder left Harvard Management Company to create an independent advisor for families and institutions. Their combined experience in public markets shaped an approach centered on research-driven equity selection rather than product distribution. The firm allocates across public equities, hedge funds, private equity, private credit, and real estate. It holds U.S. equities directly while committing to external managers for international exposure and alternatives. Confirmed positions include Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Visa. Aureus also participates in venture funds such as Accel Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, and Benchmark Capital. Geographic reach covers North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean through both public holdings and fund commitments. Aureus employs no disclosed headcount figure. It maintains one primary office in Boston and supports philanthropic vehicles including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. In April 2024 the firm promoted Thad Davis, a founding employee, to CEO and President while Karen Firestone transitioned to Chair Emerita. Aureus operates as a registered investment advisor that retains custody relationships with Fidelity Family Office Services and Charles Schwab. This structure allows the firm to manage client assets without sponsoring its own proprietary products, preserving alignment through fee-only billing and direct access to external managers.