The Kresge Foundation has announced a suite 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 (CIO), and Emily Bertsche will be promoted to deputy CIO. A 21-year veteran of the foundation, Gentry―with Bertsche―will oversee the foundation’s $4.2 billion endowment. Gentry replaces John A. Barker, who is departing the foundation to pursue a new opportunity in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

Gentry named CIO

Jon Gentry brings more than 20 years of experience at Kresge to his new role, having joined the foundation in 2005 to build out an internal investment office. As a managing director, he has played a central role in the evolution of Kresge’s investment strategy and portfolio management. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Notre Dame, he served 15 years in the university’s investment office.

“Jon’s depth of experience, institutional knowledge and steady leadership make him exceptionally well suited to guide the Investment Office during this transition,” said Rip Rapson, Kresge president and CEO. “The Board of Trustees, Investment Committee and I have complete confidence in his ability to lead the team and uphold the investment discipline that has served Kresge so well.”

During Gentry’s tenure, Kresge’s endowment has produced gains of more than $4.7 billion, fueling the foundation with the capital required to support its grantmaking and social investment efforts to expand opportunities in America’s cities. During this same period, Kresge’s endowment has increased $7.5% to $4.1 billion as of December 31, 2025.

“Kresge’s mission has been at the center of my work for more than two decades, and I am grateful to Rip and the Kresge Board of Trustees for their vote of confidence,” Gentry said. “I look forward to partnering with Emily to provide the continuity, stability and leadership required to responsibly steward our endowment.”

Bertsche promoted to Deputy CIO

The foundation also announced that Emily Bertsche will be promoted to deputy chief investment officer. Since joining Kresge in 2024, Bertsche has worked across the foundation’s private and public investment portfolios. Prior to Kresge, she was director of growth assets for 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.

“Emily has quickly distinguished herself as an insightful investor, collaborative leader and valued member of the team,” Rapson said. “Her expertise and strategic perspective will be instrumental as she partners with Jon to lead the Investment Office and continue advancing Kresge’s mission.”

Barker departs after 19 years

John Barker has served as a senior Investment Office leader since joining Kresge in 2007 and assumed the role of vice president and CIO in 2022. During his tenure at Kresge, he championed efforts to expand diversity, equity and inclusion within the Investment Office, throughout the investment management industry and among firms managing capital on Kresge’s behalf.

“John has been an extraordinary leader, a compassionate colleague and a careful steward of Kresge’s resources,” said Rapson. “Over nearly two decades, he helped shape and then led our world-class investment program while bringing exceptional judgment, integrity and commitment to our mission. We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him every success in his new pursuits.”

“I am immensely proud of what we have built together at Kresge,” Barker said. “I have tremendous confidence in Jon and Emily’s leadership as they guide Kresge’s Investment Office forward.”