Calamos Investments

Office address: 2020 Calamos Ct Suite 200, Naperville, IL 60563
Website: www.calamos.com
Year established: 1977
Company type: global investment firm
Employees: 363+
Expertise: asset management, alternatives, structured protection ETFs, convertibles, sustainable equities, volatility opportunity, private credit, growth equities, closed-end funds, institutional strategies, UCITS funds
Parent company: N/A
Key people: John Koudounis (CEO), John Calamos Sr. (chair), Robert Behan (CDO), Dan Dufresne (COO), Jessica Fernandez (CMO), Tom Herman (CFO), Erik Ojala (general counsel)
Financing status: corporate backed or acquired

Calamos Investments is a global investment management firm headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, with $39.5 billion in assets under management. The company provides investment strategies through mutual funds, closed-end funds, private funds, and separately managed portfolios, among others. Serving individuals, financial professionals, and institutions, Calamos employs over 363 staff members across six additional offices, managing assets for over 41,000 intermediaries across 2,000 companies.

History of Calamos Investments

Calamos Investments was founded in 1977 by John P. Calamos, Sr. as a boutique investment firm focusing on convertible securities to manage risk and generate returns. The firm’s Market Neutral Income Fund, launched in 1990, became one of the first liquid alternative funds accessible to individual investors. Innovation and client-focused risk management have driven the company’s growth, leading to key acquisitions that expanded its product offerings.

John Koudounis became CEO in 2016 with the aim of boosting the firm’s business and stock price and has since doubled Calamos’ assets under management. Under a new leadership, the company expanded its offerings to include global long-short equity, ESG investments, and small-cap stocks. In 2022, the firm introduced the Calamos Antetokounmpo Sustainable Equities Trust in partnership with NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Products and Services of Calamos Investments

Calamos Investments offers a broad range of financial products and services across various asset classes, designed to meet the needs of different types of investors. These offerings include:

• mutual funds: providing diversified investment strategies across equity, fixed income, and alternatives
• closed-end funds: offering long-term income and growth solutions
• exchange-traded funds (ETFs): structured to provide protection and risk management
• interval funds: allowing periodic liquidity while targeting higher returns
• institutional strategies: customized solutions for institutional clients
• UCITS funds: catering to international investors with global diversification

Calamos Investments' diverse offerings reflect a longstanding commitment to delivering innovative, risk-adjusted strategies to investors. Insights into these services, along with market perspectives, are available on their website, helping investors achieve their financial goals.

Culture at Calamos Investments

Calamos Investments is dedicated to delivering high-performance results and outstanding client service, rooted in strong family values. The firm provides a dynamic work environment, encouraging both personal and professional development for its employees. Calamos hires individuals based on their skills, education, and character, offering them benefits such as:

• comprehensive insurance: includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, with flexible spending accounts available
• paid time off (PTO): full-time associates are eligible for paid vacation, up to five sick days annually, and holidays matching the New York Stock Exchange schedule
• wellness programs: encourage healthy behaviors and provide access to the employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost
• tuition assistance and leadership training: offers tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate programs, along with management workshops and seminars
• competitive compensation: includes salaries, short-term incentive awards, 50% 401(k) match, and annual discretionary profit-sharing contributions

The company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) approach uses a “team of teams” method, where each team customizes ESG practices for its specific investment focus. The firm emphasizes responsible stewardship and supports sustainable practices through proxy voting and engagement. Calamos Investments leverages both internal and external ESG research to guide investment decisions, along with these initiatives:

• signed the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI): demonstrating a commitment to responsible investing
• ESG data sources: utilizes MSCI ESG Manager, Bloomberg Risk ESG ratings, and Morningstar Sustainalytics for comprehensive analysis
• proprietary ESG scoring: applies a unique scoring system based on seven key criteria
• engagement and governance: promotes sustainable practices through stewardship and active proxy voting

The firm believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is essential to its success, recognizing the importance of each employee’s unique background and experiences. Calamos Investments promotes an inclusive work environment that encourages employees to express and leverage their differences. DEI initiatives are embedded in recruitment, professional development, and workplace culture, along with:

• diversity training: all employees complete annual diversity awareness training to enhance understanding and inclusivity
• career opportunities: job openings are promoted across different channels to ensure equal access
• ongoing programs: hosts regular DEI-focused meetings, book clubs, lunch-and-learns, and leadership development programs
• industry participation: actively engages in various DEI organizations and councils to support broader initiatives

Calamos Investments is deeply committed to community involvement, participating in charitable efforts like supporting the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the World Central Kitchen. The firm helped raise $1.3 million through the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition for pandemic relief in 2020. All Calamos employees contributed, with the company matching 100% of donations.

About Calamos Investments CEO John Koudounis and Key People

John S. Koudounis is the CEO and president of Calamos Investments, overseeing the firm’s growth strategy and global expansion efforts. Before joining Calamos, he was CEO of Mizuho Securities USA and held senior roles at ABN AMRO and Merrill Lynch. Koudounis earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, studying international diplomacy, foreign affairs, and economics.

The organization’s executive team plays a key role in leading the firm’s operations across key business areas. These include:

• John P. Calamos Sr. serves as founder, chair, and global chief investment officer, developing team-based research processes for superior performance across multiple strategies
• Robert F. Behan CFA is an EVP and chief distribution officer, overseeing distribution, market analysis, and product strategy for various partner channels
• Dan Dufresne acts as EVP and COO, driving IT, marketing, product strategy, and operations for the firm
• Jessica Fernandez serves as SVP and chief marketing officer, overseeing the firm’s marketing efforts with over 20 years of experience in asset management marketing
• Tom Herman is EVP and CFO with over 30 years of experience in managing finance, tax functions, and accounting
• Erik Ojala is VP, general counsel, and secretary, handling all legal-related matters for Calamos Investments and its subsidiaries

The Future at Calamos Investments

Calamos Investments took part in the 2024 InvestmentNews Awards, honoring the impact of investment professionals on clients and the industry. By participating as an associate sponsor, Calamos strengthened its brand visibility and commitment to advancing the financial sector. This involvement reinforces Calamos' position as a leader in responsible investing and deepens its connections with advisors and clients.

The company is expanding its offerings in the growing buffer ETF market, leveraging its expertise in convertible bonds. The firm recently launched the Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF, providing 100% downside protection and a 10.20% upside cap rate over one year. This move positions Calamos Investments against major competitors like BlackRock and Allianz, aiming to solidify its presence in innovative investment solutions.