Key Takeaways
- • Jon D. Gentry, a 21-year Kresge veteran, will become vice president and chief investment officer of the Kresge Foundation, pending Board of Trustees approval next month.
- • Emily Bertsche will be promoted to deputy chief investment officer, and the pair will oversee the foundation's $4.2 billion endowment.
- • Gentry succeeds John A. Barker, who is departing after 19 years to pursue a new opportunity in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
- • Kresge reported that its endowment grew to $4.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, during Gentry's tenure, with cumulative gains of more than $4.7 billion.
Summary
The Kresge Foundation has announced a set of leadership transitions within its Investment Office. Pending approval by the Kresge Board of Trustees next month, Jon D. Gentry will assume the role of vice president and chief investment officer, and Emily Bertsche will be promoted to deputy CIO. Together, they will oversee the foundation's $4.2 billion endowment, according to the announcement.
Gentry joined Kresge in 2005 to build out an internal investment office and has served as a managing director, playing a central role in the evolution of the foundation's investment strategy and portfolio management. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and previously spent 15 years in the university's investment office. Rip Rapson, Kresge president and CEO, said Gentry's "depth of experience, institutional knowledge and steady leadership make him exceptionally well suited to guide the Investment Office during this transition." Gentry said he looks forward to partnering with Bertsche to provide "continuity, stability and leadership" in stewarding the endowment.
The announcement cited performance under Gentry's tenure, stating that the endowment has produced gains of more than $4.7 billion, which the foundation said supports its grantmaking and social investment efforts. The article also states that the endowment increased 7.5% to $4.1 billion as of December 31, 2025.
Bertsche joined Kresge in 2024 and has worked across the foundation's private and public investment portfolios. Previously she was director of growth assets at the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, where she oversaw private and public equity investments for the nation's largest non-governmental purchaser of healthcare benefits. Rapson described her as "an insightful investor, collaborative leader and valued member of the team."
John Barker joined Kresge in 2007, became vice president and CIO in 2022, and is departing after 19 years to pursue a new opportunity in Pittsburgh. Rapson credited Barker with championing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the Investment Office and across the investment management industry. Barker said he has "tremendous confidence in Jon and Emily's leadership as they guide Kresge's Investment Office forward."
Gentry joined Kresge in 2005 to build out an internal investment office and has served as a managing director, playing a central role in the evolution of the foundation's investment strategy and portfolio management. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and previously spent 15 years in the university's investment office. Rip Rapson, Kresge president and CEO, said Gentry's "depth of experience, institutional knowledge and steady leadership make him exceptionally well suited to guide the Investment Office during this transition." Gentry said he looks forward to partnering with Bertsche to provide "continuity, stability and leadership" in stewarding the endowment.
The announcement cited performance under Gentry's tenure, stating that the endowment has produced gains of more than $4.7 billion, which the foundation said supports its grantmaking and social investment efforts. The article also states that the endowment increased 7.5% to $4.1 billion as of December 31, 2025.
Bertsche joined Kresge in 2024 and has worked across the foundation's private and public investment portfolios. Previously she was director of growth assets at the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, where she oversaw private and public equity investments for the nation's largest non-governmental purchaser of healthcare benefits. Rapson described her as "an insightful investor, collaborative leader and valued member of the team."
John Barker joined Kresge in 2007, became vice president and CIO in 2022, and is departing after 19 years to pursue a new opportunity in Pittsburgh. Rapson credited Barker with championing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the Investment Office and across the investment management industry. Barker said he has "tremendous confidence in Jon and Emily's leadership as they guide Kresge's Investment Office forward."
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