Benjamin Santonelli

Ben Santonelli is the lead Portfolio Manager for Polen Capital’s Credit Opportunities strategy and co-Portfolio Manager for both the U.S. Opportunistic High Yield and the Bank Loan strategies, based in Waltham, MA. In these roles, he oversees the management of multi-asset credit portfolios, with a mandate to source the most compelling risk-adjusted investments across global leveraged credit markets. His primary focus areas include high yield bonds, bank loans, and both public and private credit instruments, employing a bottom-up, research-driven approach to identify opportunities in lower-rated credits and complex or illiquid segments.

Ben joined Polen Capital (formerly DDJ Capital) in 2004 and brings over two decades of experience in fundamental credit analysis, portfolio construction, and risk management. He is noted for leveraging private equity-style due diligence and maintaining a disciplined focus on downside protection and capital preservation. His expertise spans sourcing, analyzing, and investing across sectors within leveraged credit, emphasizing companies with resilient business models and sustainable cash flows.

He holds a B.A. in History from Amherst College and serves on the board of a Polen Capital portfolio company. Over his career, Ben has established a reputation for innovative credit research, leading investment teams through evolving market regimes, and pioneering the integration of public and private credit strategies within a multi-asset framework.