Andre Hakkak, co-founder and CEO of White Oak Global Advisors, has long been a leader in finance, guiding his firm to success with innovative strategies and billions in managed assets.
Now, alongside his wife, Marissa Shipman, founder of theBalm Cosmetics, the couple is gearing up for a new project that blends their business expertise and shared values in sustainability.
Their joint venture will focus on responsible investments, further solidifying their reputations as trailblazers in their respective industries.
The couple’s relationship began in 2012, when they met at a tech conference. Despite their busy careers, they instantly connected, finding common ground in their entrepreneurial spirits and shared ambitions. After three years of dating, they married in 2015 in an intimate ceremony surrounded by close family and friends.
Since 2007, Andre has served as co-portfolio manager and Investment Committee member at White Oak, overseeing the firm’s strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Prior to this, he founded and led Alpine Global, Inc., and Suisse Global Investments, both of which focused on alternative fixed income and real estate investments. His deep experience in finance, including a stint at Robertson Stephens & Co., has made him a key figure in asset management (White Oaks Fellowship)(Andre A Hakkak).
Marissa, on the other hand, has carved out a distinct space in the beauty industry with theBalm Cosmetics, which she launched in 2004.
Known for its cruelty-free, eco-conscious products and retro packaging, theBalm has gained a loyal global following. Her commitment to ethical business practices has always been central to her brand’s identity, and it’s this dedication to sustainability that will drive their upcoming joint project.
Friends close to the couple describe their collaboration as a natural next step in their relationship. “They’ve always been supportive of each other’s visions,” one friend shared. “Now they’re combining their strengths to create something truly impactful.” The couple’s new venture will focus on businesses that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility, combining Andre’s financial expertise with Marissa’s deep understanding of ethical consumerism.
In reflecting on their marriage and partnership, those who know them best emphasize their complementary personalities. “Andre is the strategist, and Marissa brings creativity and a consumer-focused approach,” shared a colleague. Together, they balance innovation and responsibility in ways that are poised to leave a lasting impact.
Their marriage, like their careers, has been marked by mutual respect and a commitment to shared goals. While their new project is still under wraps, the fusion of Andre’s background in finance and Marissa’s ethical vision in beauty promises to be a significant endeavor, one that will likely reshape how investors and consumers view sustainable business.
As the couple continues to work behind the scenes on their latest venture, industry insiders eagerly await more details, recognizing that the collaboration between these two will bring exciting changes to both the financial and consumer markets.
