Andre Hakkak: The Story Behind White Oak Global Advisors And Marissa Shipman’s Husband

Andre Hakkak is a name that equates to finance and investing. White Oak Global Advisors co-founder and CEO, he has driven the firm to be one that now oversees more than $10 billion in assets and has funded more than $24 billion in lending to businesses around the globe. Respected for his financial acumen and for his commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Hakkak has emerged as one of the most influential players in the private credit space without anyone quite realizing it.

There is more to his story, however, than boardroom intrigue and bottom lines. Of Iranian descent and brought up in America, Andre Hakkak’s journey to success is one of determination, learning, and vision. His journey crosses continents, industries, and great accomplishments—together from establishing boutique investment firms to promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. Let’s look into his childhood, career, family, and future ventures—giving you everything you need to know about Andre Hakkak.

Quick Bio

Who Is Andre Hakkak?

Andre Amin Hakkak is an Iranian-American financier, entrepreneur, and global investment expert. He is widely recognized as a co-founder and CEO of White Oak Global Advisors, a credit solutions provider investment management firm focusing on providing customized credit solutions to U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australian SMEs. White Oak expanded extremely rapidly after its formation in 2007 and now oversees assets of over $10 billion under his guidance. The firm has financed over 20,000 companies and boasts of offering tailored financial solutions to overlooked sectors.

Hakkak has gained universal acclaim within the industry for his focus on responsible lending, namely in ESG-driven ventures. He has invested billions into social and environmental impact-generating investments, making him not just a business leader but also an innovative thinker who was ahead of his time. His expertise covers alternative credit, structured finance, and real estate, making him a thought leader for the future direction of private credit markets.

Early Life

Andre Hakkak was born on January 5, 1973, in Tehran, Iran. He spent his childhood witnessing the political change of the 1970s in Iran, and his family ultimately fled to America while he was still a minor. Hakkak settled well into a new culture in his new home country in a short time while still embracing the hard work ethic that had been instilled in his parents, Reza and Parvin Hakkak. His parents emphasized the importance of education and hard work—values that would stay with him throughout his lifetime.

Hakkak was a brilliant student and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing from the Haas School of Business. Never satisfied to rest on his own laurels, he continued on to pursue a Master’s in Finance at the University of Chicago. These academic qualifications placed him well for his illustrious career in finance and investment.

Career Beginnings

Andre Hakkak started his career working for Robertson Stephens & Co., an investment bank in San Francisco. He worked there as an investment banker and principal and helped manage investment platforms that fell under the Investment Company Act. His early exposure to complex financial structures and institutional finance gave him a strong background in capital markets and risk management.

Leveraging that experience, Hakkak went on to establish Suisse Global Investments. It was a business that catered to creating customized strategies for banking and insurance customers in over 30 countries. In 2000, he started Alpine Global, a multi-strategy investment manager dealing with alternative fixed income and real estate investments. These ventures allowed him to sharpen his skills, build global networks, and position himself for his most daunting challenge yet—co-founding White Oak Global Advisors in 2007.

Who Is Andre Hakkak’s Wife?

Andre Hakkak married to Marissa Shipman, successful entrepreneur widely known as the founder of theBalm Cosmetics. TheBalm has been a San Francisco-based beauty company focused on being cruelty-free, talc-free, and paraben-free since it was founded in 2004. Shipman’s company rose to global wide popularity and holds a loyal client base through top-quality products and ethical standards.

Hakkak and Shipman are a power couple who have mixed finance with beauty and business acumen. The duo is also famous for their philanthropic activities, donating to causes dedicated to women’s rights, education, and social justice. Although they keep most of their personal lives off the spotlight, their entrepreneurship spirit and shared values shine through in their individual business life and philanthropic activities.

Andre Hakkak’s Physical Appearance

Andre Hakkak is around 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and weighs around 132 pounds (60 kg). He is of short black hair, black eyes, and normally dresses in sharp business attire. His calm nature and dignified public face are a testimony to his success as a senior financial services executive.

Despite his relatively low profile in public view, Hakkak’s participation at business seminars and media attention reveals a modest but confident character. He prefers to let his achievements and business results speak for themselves, avoiding personal publicity in most instances in favor of focusing on his firm’s mission and its impacts.

Net Worth

Andre Hakkak’s net worth is approximately $200 million to $10 billion, depending on the state of the markets and White Oak’s overall success. As CEO of a firm that has facilitated over $24 billion in business lending and investments, Hakkak’s wealth is automatically linked to the success of his firm. White Oak’s plethora of assets and growing presence in ESG investing only add to his wealth.

Much of his wealth also lies in the incomes on other credit strategies and former ventures like Alpine Global and Suisse Global. Hakkak is not only hands-on—he’s a strategic investor and visionary who makes thoughtful decisions that affect thousands of customers and millions of dollars. His riches continue to grow as the need for private lending and impact investing increases.

Social Media

Unlike most modern-day executives, Andre Hakkak is not highly active on social media. He does not have personal profiles on the likes of Instagram and Twitter. His firm White Oak Global Advisors shares news through professional channels like LinkedIn and press releases. His opinion leadership appears in serious publications like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Pensions & Investments.

Meanwhile, his wife Marissa Shipman is publicized more on social media, actively sharing about her brand, philanthropy, and life. While Hakkak is private to an extent, his business achievements and speaking engagements are reported regularly by financial news websites, pushing public perception and industry prestige further.

Future Prospects and Vision

Andre Hakkak’s vision is aimed at inclusive growth and sustainable finance. Hakkak aims to expand White Oak’s coverage with ESG investment and more customized lending to underbanked businesses. Hakkak expects that, through the integration of data analysis and AI in the decision-making function, he will increase the efficacy of loans as well as customer satisfaction.

As economies evolve, he continues to pursue creative solutions that balance financial return with social good. His leadership philosophy—grounded in ethics, strategic thinking, and risk management—makes him a respected leader in finance. During times of global economic transformation under way, Hakkak’s adaptive, accountable investment strategy makes him a leader to watch over the next decade.