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Our Culture

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

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Our People

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

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News & Events

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

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Careers

At Sands Capital, we strive to hire exceptional talent who will live our values and support our efforts to deliver on our mission.
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Uncovering Europe’s Next Generation of Global Leaders

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

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Revolutionizing Public Safety: The Axon Ecosystem

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. 

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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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FPT Harnesses Education to Transform Talent Landscape

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

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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.

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Stewardship

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

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Public Equity

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

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Venture and Growth Equity

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

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Katherine (Okon) Bates

Research Analyst

Joined Sands Capital

Re-joined in 2012

Work Experience

Sands Capital (2014 - 2019)
Arlington, VA | Manager, Client Relations

Sands Capital (2012 - 2014)
Arlington, VA | Portfolio Communications Analyst

Sands Capital (2007 - 2010)
Arlington, VA | Assistant to the CEO

Education

University of Virginia (2012)
MBA | Darden School of Business

Lafayette College (2007)
BA | Government and Law

Katherine is a research analyst, covering consumer businesses. She joined Sands Capital in 2007 as an assistant to the CEO. After leaving in 2010 to earn an MBA, Katherine rejoined in 2012 as a portfolio communications analyst. In 2014, she assumed the role of manager, client relations. Katherine was promoted to research analyst in 2018.

Katherine received a BA in government and law from Lafayette College and an MBA from the UVA Darden School of Business.

Investment Strategy
Human Capital as a Competitive Advantage
From AI savvy workforces to cultures that champion continuous learning, forward thinking employers can turn talent into a flywheel of innovation, resilience, and compounding growth. For many asset-light businesses, people remain the greatest competitive edge, turning strategy into sustained value.
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Arlington, VA 22209, USA
1.703.562.4000
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Disclosures and Definitions

Notice for non-US Investors

Sands Capital is an active, long-term investor in leading innovative growth businesses, globally. Our approach combines analytical rigor and creative thinking to identify high-quality growth businesses that are creating the future. Through an integrated investment platform spanning alternatives, growth equity and public equity, we provide growth capital solutions to institutions and fund sponsors in more than 40 countries.

An independent, staff-owned firm founded in 1992 and headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with offices in London and Singapore, Sands Capital managed more than $58B in client assets as of June 30, 2025.

For institutional and professional investors only. Investment advisory fees are described in Part II of the adviser’s Form ADV.
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