Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund firm founded by billionaire Ray Dalio, has named Karen Karniol-Tambour as its third co-chief investment officer and the first woman to hold the position at the firm, according to a company statement.

Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund firm founded by billionaire Ray Dalio, has named Karen Karniol-Tambour as its third co-chief investment officer and the first woman to hold the position at the firm, according to a company statement.

The 37-year-old has been made a full partner at the firm and will now work alongside Bob Prince and Greg Jensen in leading the firm's Investment Committee and holding ultimate responsibility for its investment strategy and outcomes.

Karniol-Tambour joined the firm back in 2006 as an investment associate on the fixed income team and was made head of investment research seven years later at which time she began working closely with Dalio, Prince and Jensen.

In 2021, she was appointed co-CIO for sustainability, and with Carsten Stendevad, launched the first Bridgewater portfolios to incorporate sustainability considerations alongside risk and return. 

Karniol-Tambour's promotion comes a few months after Dalio gave up day-today control of the firm.