Our Culture

What you believe and what you value as an organization matters. Discover the DNA of our firm.

Our People

Get to know our teams and the stories of select staff members who share why they choose to work at Sands Capital.

News & Events

Read about some of the latest events, partnerships, and business highlights from Sands Capital.

Careers

At Sands Capital, we strive to hire exceptional talent who will live our values and support our efforts to deliver on our mission.

From aquaculture to semiconductors, European firms are quietly becoming global leaders in innovation, sustainability, and value creation.

In this episode of What Matters Most, Sands Capital Portfolio Manager and Sr. Research Analyst Danielle Menichella discusses the business’ journey from Taser maker to artificial intelligence-powered software developer. 

Executive Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager Brian Christiansen discusses the importance of candor, collaboration, and entrepreneurialism in creating a culture that promotes long-term thinking.

FPT has harnessed education to drive Vietnam’s digital transformation and human-capital development.

Philosophy & Approach

Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that, over time, stock prices will reflect the earnings power and growth of the underlying businesses.

Our latest annual report offers a comprehensive view of how we add value through active stewardship.

Public Equity

Our newest strategy takes an unconstrained approach to seeking the best growth businesses outside of the U.S.

Venture and Growth Equity

Sands Capital invests in innovative businesses across all stages of the growth spectrum

Brian A. Christiansen, CFA

Sr. Portfolio Manager
Research Analyst
Executive Managing Director

Joined Sands Capital

2006

Work Experience

Sands Capital (2021 - 2022)
Arlington, VA | Sr. Portfolio Manager, Research Analyst, Director of Stewardship, Executive Managing Director

Sands Capital (2018 - 2021)
Arlington, VA | Sr. Portfolio Manager, Research Analyst, Executive Managing Director

Sands Capital (2012 - 2017)
Arlington, VA | Portfolio Manager, Research Analyst

Sands Capital (2008 - 2012)
Arlington, VA | Research Analyst

Sands Capital (2006 - 2008)
Arlington, VA | Research Associate

Education

Yale University (2009)
MBA | School of Management

Yale University (2005)
BA | Economics

Brian is a senior portfolio manager, research analyst, and executive managing director at Sands Capital. He joined Sands Capital in 2006 as a research associate, covering life sciences, after completing the first year of the MBA program at the Yale School of Management as a Silver Scholar. In 2008, Brian returned to complete the second year of the MBA program while continuing to work part time for Sands Capital. Following the completion of his MBA, he resumed working full time and rejoined as a research analyst, covering life sciences.

In 2011, Brian became a co-portfolio manager of the Emerging Markets Growth strategy. In 2017, he was promoted to senior portfolio manager, and he was named as a director on the executive management team, which provides strategic leadership across the firm, in 2018. He became a co-portfolio manager on the Global Growth strategy in 2020 and was named director of stewardship in 2021. He served in this role until 2023, when a senior analyst on the stewardship team succeeded him.

In addition to receiving an MBA from the Yale School of Management, Brian also received a BA in economics from Yale University. He is a CFA® charterholder.

Investment Strategy
Insights Gained from Past Downturns
Sands Capital portfolio managers reflect on five powerful lessons they have learned while investing through past downturns.
Investment Strategy
Riding India’s Digital Wave
Indian businesses that are able to seize the country’s increased digital and physical connectivity to find innovative and cost-effective ways to fill the unmet or evolving demands could find long runways for growth.
Investment Culture
Fostering Long-term Thinking
Executive Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager Brian Christiansen discusses the importance of candor, collaboration, and entrepreneurialism in creating a culture that promotes long-term thinking.

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