John Barker, Emily Bertsche, Jon Gentry
After 19 years at the Kresge Foundation, including four years serving as its CIO, John Barker will step down from his role at the $4.2 billion endowment. The Troy, Michigan-based foundation—which provides grants to support social and economic mobility—on Wednesday announced leadership changes to replace Barker.
Jon Gentry, a managing director and 21-year veteran of the Kresge Foundation, will be its new CIO, and Emily Bertsche, currently managing director of private markets, will be named deputy CIO, effective September 1 and pending board approval.
“Jon’s depth of experience, institutional knowledge and steady leadership make him exceptionally well suited to guide the investment office during this transition,” said Kresge Foundation President and CEO Rip Rapson in a statement. “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.”
Prior to joining Kresge in 2005, Gentry oversaw the public equity portfolio at the University of Notre Dame’s endowment for 15 years. Bertsche, named to CIO’s NextGen list in 2023, was previously director of growth assets for the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, where she oversaw public and private equity investments, before joining Kresge in 2024.
“Emily has quickly distinguished herself as an insightful investor, collaborative leader and valued member of the team,” Rapson said in his statement. “Her expertise and strategic perspective will be instrumental as she partners with Jon to lead the investment office and continue advancing Kresge’s mission.”
The appointments are pending a final approval by the Kresge Foundation’s board of trustees next month, according to a statement from the foundation.
Barker is leaving his role to pursue a new role in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
Barker, who was previously deputy CIO of the foundation, was appointed to the CIO role following the retirement of Robert Manilla, who had served for 17 years.
“I am immensely proud of what we have built together at Kresge,” Barker said in a statement. “I have tremendous confidence in Jon and Emily’s leadership as they guide Kresge’s investment office forward.”
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