Table of Contents
Successful partnerships often stem from shared values rather than just shared economics. In a recent episode of FYI: The For Your Innovation Podcast, ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood sat down with Stephanie Drews, the CEO of Amova (formerly Nikko Asset Management). Their conversation spanned nearly a decade of collaboration, exploring how a Japanese asset manager and a U.S. innovation investor found common ground in disrupting the status quo.
Beyond the boardroom strategy, the discussion offered a rare glimpse into the leadership philosophy required to navigate global expansion while maintaining personal integrity. From rebranding a legacy institution to debunking myths about Japan’s technological landscape, the dialogue revealed how leading with purpose—across professional, personal, and planetary dimensions—can drive sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways
- The Birth of Amova: Nikko Asset Management’s rebrand to "Amova" reflects a strategic shift toward movement and innovation, a change driven internally by employee consensus rather than external consultants.
- A Model for Global Partnerships: The ARK-Amova relationship serves as a template for successful joint ventures: establish a cultural fit first, followed by investment philosophy alignment, and finally, business and capital structures.
- Japan’s Hidden Innovation: Despite perceptions of being slow-moving, Japan is a "barbell" economy—conservative in some administrative areas but aggressively adopting AI, robotics, and fintech.
- The "Three Lenses" Philosophy: Drews advocates for a non-sequential approach to life, giving equal weight to professional career, personal family life, and ethical purpose without apologizing for any of them.
- Strategic Expansion: Amova is solidifying its footprint as an Asian powerhouse through acquisitions in Malaysia and a 10-year growth plan focused on sustainable investment, private assets, and ETFs.
From Nikko to Amova: A Brand Defined by Innovation
Rebranding a legacy financial institution is rarely a simple task. For Nikko Asset Management, a firm with deep roots in Japan, the transition to Amova was the culmination of years of internal evolution. The name itself is a coined word, fusing "Asset Management" with the concept of "Movement" and "Innovation."
Unlike previous attempts to rebrand, which faced internal resistance, this successful transition was built from the bottom up. The firm spent over a year engaging with employees to define their core identity. The consensus was clear: they were an innovative, forward-moving firm with a strong fiduciary duty. This employee-led approach ensured that the new identity resonated across their global offices, working seamlessly in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and English.
"We decided probably what defines us most is that we are innovative, that we're forward moving... We had the word moving innovation. And so we combined that into a coined word: Amova."
The Anatomy of a Successful Joint Venture
The partnership between ARK Invest and Amova began nearly a decade ago, sparked by a shared curiosity for disruptive innovation. At the time, ARK was a relatively unknown entity, and Amova (then Nikko) was looking for partners who could look beyond traditional robotics into broader technological disruption.
Stephanie Drews highlights this relationship as the "template" for how joint ventures should be constructed. In an industry that often prioritizes capital fit above all else, Amova and ARK took a different route. They prioritized cultural alignment and shared investment philosophies before discussing business terms.
This approach allowed the partnership to thrive in the Japanese market, where retail investors—often mischaracterized as purely conservative—showed a significant appetite for thematic, long-term innovation strategies. The collaboration proved that even complex themes like genomics and "mobility-as-a-service" could resonate with a broad audience when positioned correctly.
Dispelling Myths: The Reality of Innovation in Japan
A recurring theme in the discussion was the dichotomy of the Japanese market. To the outside observer, Japan can appear contradictory—a nation where cash is still king and administrative paperwork is prevalent, yet fully automated hotels and advanced robotics are commonplace.
The "Barbell" Economy
Drews describes Japan as having a "barbell" nature. On one end, there are traditional, analog systems. On the other, there is rapid, frictionless adoption of cutting-edge technology. This is evident in several key sectors:
- Robotics and Automation: Driven by demographic shifts and an aging population, Japan has integrated robotics into daily life and industry far faster than many Western nations.
- Fintech Adoption: Japan and Korea filled the void in blockchain and crypto-asset development when other Asian markets pulled back. The adoption of digital wallets and fintech solutions has been accelerated, often outpacing the U.S. in user uptake.
- AI Implementation: There is a unique flexibility in how Japanese corporations adopt AI, viewing it as a necessary tool for efficiency rather than a threat.
This environment creates "quantum leaps" in progress. While the decision-making process in Japan may seem slow due to rigorous assessment, the execution phase is remarkably fast once a consensus is reached.
Strategic Growth in Southeast Asia
Amova’s vision extends well beyond Japan. The firm recently executed a significant expansion into Southeast Asia through the acquisition of a Malaysian investment firm, formerly a joint venture partner. This move is part of a broader 10-year global growth plan running through 2032.
The strategy focuses on establishing Amova as an undisputed Asian powerhouse. Malaysia serves as a critical bridge in this strategy; it is a nation on the cusp of moving from "emerging" to "developed" market status, combining the digital savvy of a youthful demographic with increasingly robust governance structures. This acquisition allows Amova to tap into a highly sophisticated, digitally native investor base in the region.
The firm’s growth strategy is disciplined, targeting specific "boxes" to tick: sustainable investment, private assets, and ETFs, while ensuring majority ownership in key regional hubs.
Leading with Three Lenses: Professional, Personal, and Purpose
Beyond the mechanics of asset management, the conversation delved deep into Drews' personal leadership philosophy. She views her life through three distinct but interconnected lenses: Professional, Personal, and Purpose.
Crucially, Drews rejects the notion of "sequencing"—the idea that one must finish a career before focusing on family or purpose. Instead, she integrates all three simultaneously, operating with pride rather than guilt.
Parenting with Tools, Not Solutions
As a single mother of three, Drews applied a structured, almost managerial approach to parenting. Her goal was to provide her children with "tools, not solutions," empowering them to navigate challenges independently. This involved specific educational goals, such as multilingualism and the cultivation of deep empathy.
This philosophy of empathy extends to her "Purpose" lens. Drews is a dedicated environmentalist and animal rights advocate, running a sanctuary in Yamanashi. This work is not a side hobby but a core pillar of her identity, reinforcing the values of compassion and responsibility within her family.
Confronting Stumbles
Drews also spoke candidly about the necessity of confronting professional and ethical stumbles. Whether it was realizing a career path in management consulting wasn't the right fit or re-evaluating the ethics of supply chains, she emphasizes the importance of facing mistakes head-on.
"Facing yourself is really tough because you basically have to accept that probably you spent 20 years doing something that... you could have changed. But facing yourself is a tool that many people don't apply enough."
Conclusion: The Power of One Step Forward
The dialogue between Cathie Wood and Stephanie Drews serves as a reminder that innovation is not just about technology; it is about mindset. Whether it is transforming a corporate brand, entering a new market, or raising a family, the underlying principle remains the same: continuous forward movement.
Drews concluded with a philosophy that mirrors the iterative nature of innovation itself: regardless of the barriers or exhaustion, the goal is to take at least one step forward every day. This incremental yet relentless progress is what drives companies like Amova and ARK to redefine their industries constantly.
