Key Takeaways
- • Jon Gentry, a managing director and 21-year veteran of the Kresge Foundation, will become its new Chief Investment Officer, effective September 1 and pending board approval.
- • Emily Bertsche, currently managing director of private markets, will be named deputy CIO under the same timeline.
- • John Barker steps down as CIO of the $4.2 billion endowment after 19 years at Kresge, including four years as CIO, to pursue a role in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
- • Appointments require final approval from the Kresge board of trustees next month, according to a foundation statement.
Summary
The Kresge Foundation, a Troy, Michigan-based grant-maker focused on social and economic mobility, announced on Wednesday a leadership transition in its investment office. John Barker, who spent 19 years at the foundation including four years as Chief Investment Officer overseeing its $4.2 billion endowment, will step down from the role. Barker had been deputy CIO before being appointed CIO following the retirement of Robert Manilla, who held the position for 17 years.
Jon Gentry will succeed Barker as CIO. Gentry is a managing director and 21-year veteran of Kresge, having joined the foundation in 2005 after overseeing the public equity portfolio at the University of Notre Dame's endowment for 15 years. Emily Bertsche, currently managing director of private markets, will be named deputy CIO. Bertsche was previously director of growth assets at the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, where she oversaw public and private equity investments, before joining Kresge in 2024. She was named to CIO's NextGen list in 2023.
Kresge President and CEO Rip Rapson said the board of trustees, investment committee and he have "complete confidence" in Gentry's ability to uphold the foundation's investment discipline, and praised Bertsche as an insightful investor and collaborative leader. Barker said he has "tremendous confidence" in Gentry and Bertsche. The appointments, effective September 1, are pending final approval by the board of trustees next month, according to the foundation.
Jon Gentry will succeed Barker as CIO. Gentry is a managing director and 21-year veteran of Kresge, having joined the foundation in 2005 after overseeing the public equity portfolio at the University of Notre Dame's endowment for 15 years. Emily Bertsche, currently managing director of private markets, will be named deputy CIO. Bertsche was previously director of growth assets at the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, where she oversaw public and private equity investments, before joining Kresge in 2024. She was named to CIO's NextGen list in 2023.
Kresge President and CEO Rip Rapson said the board of trustees, investment committee and he have "complete confidence" in Gentry's ability to uphold the foundation's investment discipline, and praised Bertsche as an insightful investor and collaborative leader. Barker said he has "tremendous confidence" in Gentry and Bertsche. The appointments, effective September 1, are pending final approval by the board of trustees next month, according to the foundation.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.