MICHAEL VRANOS

CO-FOUNDER

Michael Vranos began his Wall Street career in 1983, after graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Harvard University. He founded Ellington in December of 1994 to capitalize on distressed conditions in the MBS derivatives market. Mr. Vranos also devotes much of his time, energy, and resources to philanthropic causes, donating to worthy child advocacy, homeless relief, education, and medical research organizations across the country. A longtime director of Hedge Funds Care and recipient of the organization’s 2007 Lifetime Award for Caring, he supports the group’s mission to prevent child abuse and provide assistance for families in need. In addition to Hedge Funds Care, Michael Vranos serves as a director of Harlem’s at-risk youth focused educational organization Boys and Girls Harbor and sits on the boards of trustees of both the Waterside School and the Hopkins School. Mr. Vranos recently established a research fellowship to sponsor the ongoing work of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. He currently resides in Greenwich.

KASTRIOT XHEMA

CO-FOUNDER

Kastriot Xhema grew up in Greenwich, CT as an athletic child of a close-knit family. However, his affinity for fighting would land him in prison before he could graduate high school. Once he was released, Kas learned to confront his anger and began to channel his energy into combat sports. With overwhelming support from family, close friends, law enforcement, court officers and coaches over the years, Kas has been able to transform his life. Today, he is a successful Bellator MMA fighter and entrepreneur, having thrilling victories at Madison Square Garden and Mohegan Sun. Kas has a thriving MMA gym in Greenwich, CT and is dedicated to championing for a safer and kinder community.