New York, New York, United States, June 2025 – Michele Nolty has been appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer at Cliffwater, a leading investment advisory firm renowned for its research-driven expertise in alternative investments. In her new role, Michele will be responsible for shaping and driving Cliffwater’s global HR strategy, reinforcing its talent culture, and enabling people-centric growth across all business functions.
Michele brings over two decades of global HR leadership experience in investment management, private equity, and financial services, where she has consistently led organizational transformation, talent development, and executive leadership strategies.
Prior to joining Cliffwater, Michele served as Chief People Officer at Olive Tree Holdings, a private equity-backed investment firm. Over her two-year tenure, she built the HR function from the ground up, aligning it with the firm’s growth strategy and overseeing over 350 employees across multiple business entities. She led strategic initiatives including 360-degree feedback systems, executive coaching, and HR due diligence for acquisitions, significantly enhancing operational efficiency, talent pipelines, and employee engagement.
Before Olive Tree Holdings, she had an impactful 17-year career at Cohen & Steers, where she rose to the position of EVP, Head of Global Human Resources. Michele led HR for over 375 employees across six countries and built the HR function in line with the company’s expansion strategy. She introduced global talent frameworks, led DEI initiatives, supported board-level compensation planning, and spearheaded culture transformation, helping boost employee retention and performance across geographies.
Earlier in her career, Michele served as VP – Head of HR New York at Allianz Global Investors, where she supported subsidiaries including Oppenheimer Capital and PIMCO. She was instrumental in implementing HRIS systems, aligning talent acquisition with international business goals, and optimizing HR processes across business units. Michele also held the role of Senior HR Generalist at Oppenheimer Capital for over seven years, where she gained foundational expertise in employee development and HR operations.
Michele holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Villanova University, bringing both academic and professional depth to her HR leadership.
About Cliffwater
Founded in 2004, Cliffwater is a premier investment advisory firm specializing in alternative investments. Headquartered in the United States, the firm provides institutional and individual investors access to opportunities across private equity, credit, real assets, and hedge funds. Known for its proprietary research and innovation, Cliffwater supports better investment outcomes through a repeatable, process-driven model and a team culture built on collaboration, insight, and transparency.
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