The Heinz Endowments has named John Barker, an accomplished nonprofit financial manager with nearly 25 years of experience, as the foundation’s new Chief Investment Officer. 
 
A native of the Pittsburgh suburb Pleasant Hills, Barker returns to the region after most recently serving as Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at The Kresge Foundation in Troy, Michigan. Barker spent nearly 20 years at Kresge, including the last four as CIO. Prior to working for Kresge, he was an assistant investment director at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, for five years.
 
While in Michigan, Barker also was treasurer for the Foundation for Detroit’s Future, which was created in 2014 to help the city emerge from bankruptcy. In addition, he served as a board and investment committee member for the Children’s Foundation of Michigan.
 
“We are delighted to welcome John back to his hometown and to our team,” said Heinz Endowments President Chris DeCardy. “His proven record of success in investment management combined with his commitment to the communities he has served and to partnerships for greater impact will be a wonderful asset for our foundation and the region.”
 
With $2.2 billion in assets, the Endowments is the second largest foundation in Pittsburgh and one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States. Barker will be responsible for the overall investment management of the endowment and will lead investment adviser and investment committee relations.
 
Barker said he is excited about supporting the Endowments’ mission of “growing an exemplary, sustainable Pittsburgh region” that is successful in all dimensions.
 
“It’s a chance to come home and contribute to a mission that matters deeply to me,” he explained. “But just as much, it's about the people. This is a talented, passionate group doing work I respect, and the opportunity to work alongside them is a big part of what drew me here.”
 
Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, said Barker will bring “exceptional investment acumen and a genuine sense of stewardship to his new role.” 

“He has managed our endowment with discipline and a long-term perspective, always mindful of the people and communities Kresge resources are meant to serve,” Rapson said. “He is a thoughtful leader, a generous mentor and a respected voice in the sector — characteristics that are fully transferable and in need in every great American city. Congratulations to The Heinz Endowments and the Pittsburgh community for gaining such an outstanding leader.”
 
Barker described stewardship as the common thread through his past work experiences and his new position, specifically stewarding institutions with well-respected national reputations and missions to serve and improve the lives of others.
 
“I've been lucky enough to work alongside a group of incredibly talented and mission-focused investors, both at Notre Dame and at Kresge, where I've had the privilege of leading the team for the past four years,” he said.
 
“Across those experiences, I've learned what it means to be a steward — not just of an institution's assets, but of its reputation and mission. At the same time, I've learned a thing or two about building an investment portfolio that reflects the unique return, risk, and liquidity needs of the institution it serves. 
 
“Coming back to Pittsburgh means more than a new job; it means being close to family again and reinvesting in a community I never stopped thinking of as home.”