The short answer: Cathie Wood is the founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of ARK Invest, the firm she started in 2014 to invest in disruptive innovation. Before ARK she spent 12 years at AllianceBernstein as CIO of Global Thematic Strategies. She has appeared on 6 episodes of The Pomp Podcast since February 2019.
A guest profile from The Pomp Podcast, hosted by Anthony Pompliano. Last updated: October 25, 2026.
Key takeaways
Cathie Wood is the founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest, which she started in 2014 to invest in disruptive innovation.
Before ARK she spent 12 years at AllianceBernstein as CIO of Global Thematic Strategies.
She has appeared on 6 Pomp Podcast episodes since February 2019.
Who is Cathie Wood?
Cathie Wood is an investment manager focused on disruptive innovation. According to her ARK Invest bio, she registered ARK as an investment adviser in January 2014 and serves as its CEO and CIO.
Her X profile describes her as a thematic portfolio manager for disruptive innovation, mom, economist and women's advocate.
What is Cathie Wood working on now?
ARK Invest. She leads ARK as founder, CEO and CIO.
Big Ideas. ARK publishes an annual Big Ideas report. In February 2026 she pointed listeners to the 2026 edition and its section on what ARK calls The Great Acceleration.
Five innovation platforms. ARK's research centers on AI, robotics, energy storage, blockchain technology and multi-omics, the platforms she named on the show.
What did Cathie Wood do before?
Capital Group. She started her career at Capital Group, according to her ARK bio.
Jennison Associates, 18 years. She was chief economist, equity research analyst, portfolio manager and director.
Tupelo Capital Management. She co-founded the hedge fund.
AllianceBernstein, 12 years. She was CIO of Global Thematic Strategies before founding ARK.
Education. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1981 with a BS in finance and economics.
What is Cathie Wood known for?
Innovation investing. ARK is built around the idea that disruptive technologies will drive growth.
Bitcoin. She has talked on the show about buying bitcoin in 2015. In April 2024 she discussed a $1.5 million price target for bitcoin.
Tesla. She is one of Tesla's best-known bulls. See What Is Tesla?.
Recognition. Her ARK bio notes she was named to the Bloomberg 50 in 2018.
What does Cathie Wood think about bitcoin, AI and deflation?
These are her opinions as shared on The Pomp Podcast, not forecasts or advice.
Deflation is the bigger risk. She says there is "bad deflation and good deflation," and that the good kind comes from technology. In February 2026 she said "the AI boom is massively deflationary." (February 2026 episode)
Bitcoin as a hedge. "Bitcoin is a hedge against inflation and deflation," she said, adding that if counterparty risk spreads, "Bitcoin doesn't have that problem."
The flip side of the bubble. She compares today with the late 1990s: "We are absolutely in the flip side of the bubble." Her view is that robotics, energy storage, AI, blockchain and multi-omics are now ready for prime time.
Tesla. She expects Tesla to keep running on its own while the robotaxi story plays out, and said "we very much think Tesla is getting ready to break out again."
Earlier episodes. In 2025 she discussed institutional interest in bitcoin and a strategic bitcoin reserve. In 2024 she explained ARK's $1.5 million bitcoin price target.
FROM THE HOST
Put AI to work on your own financial questions.
Silvia is a personal AI CFO, built by investors, for investors. It answers questions about your cash flow, investments and goals using your own financial context, and organizes the details so you can review them. Access is read-only.
Disclosure: Anthony Pompliano is Chairman and CEO of Silvia, Inc. For educational purposes only; not financial advice.
Where can I follow Cathie Wood?
Cathie Wood on The Pomp Podcast
Cathie Wood has appeared on 6 episodes of The Pomp Podcast, from February 25, 2019 to February 16, 2026. Her first appearance, in February 2019, covered the intersection of genomics, AI and blockchain. Every episode is listed below, newest first, with links to watch or listen.
Watch or listen to the latest episode
Will Deflation Hurt Bitcoin? | Cathie Wood, released February 16, 2026.
Feb 16, 2026: Will Deflation Hurt Bitcoin? | Cathie Wood · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify
Mar 10, 2025: #1501 Cathie Wood | Institutions Are All-In On Bitcoin · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify
Apr 3, 2024: #1337 Cathie Wood | Bitcoin Could Reach $1.5 Million · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify
Mar 9, 2023: #1170 Cathie Wood on Bitcoin, Tech, Venture Capital, and Innovation · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify
Apr 16, 2020: #271: Cathie Wood Explains Why Innovation Thrives During A Financial Crisis · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify
Feb 25, 2019: Cathie Wood, Founder & CEO of ARK Invest: The Intersection of Genomes, AI, and Blockchain · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify
Subscribe to The Pomp Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Cathie Wood?
Cathie Wood is the founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest, which she started in 2014 to invest in disruptive innovation.
What did Cathie Wood do before ARK Invest?
She spent 12 years at AllianceBernstein as CIO of Global Thematic Strategies and 18 years at Jennison Associates, and co-founded Tupelo Capital Management.
What is Cathie Wood's bitcoin price target?
In April 2024 she discussed a $1.5 million price target for bitcoin on The Pomp Podcast.
Does Cathie Wood think deflation is a risk?
Yes. In February 2026 she said deflation is a bigger risk than inflation and that the AI boom is massively deflationary.
What does Cathie Wood think about Tesla?
In February 2026 she said ARK thinks Tesla is getting ready to break out again, driven by the robotaxi opportunity.
How many times has Cathie Wood been on The Pomp Podcast?
Cathie Wood has appeared on 6 episodes of The Pomp Podcast, from February 25, 2019 to February 16, 2026.
Sources
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Anthony Pompliano is an entrepreneur, investor, and author who serves as Chairman and CEO of Silvia, Inc (SVIA) and invests through Pomp Investments. He is the host of The Pomp Podcast, where he interviews founders, investors and economists about bitcoin, markets, AI and the economy.
This profile is based on his conversations with Cathie Wood on The Pomp Podcast and on the sources listed above.
Follow Pomp on X.
Subscribe
Get notified for every new Pomp Podcast episode.
Subscribe for free to learn alongside Anthony Pompliano.
This profile reflects the opinions of the guest and host as shared on The Pomp Podcast. It is guest opinion, not investment advice. Do your own research before making any investment decision.
