‘What’s Next?’ for Kate Grusky: A Journey of Purpose and Philanthropy at UVA Darden

As the University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares to graduate its Class of 2024, Kate Grusky is ready to embark on a new chapter, transitioning from managing multimillion-dollar portfolios on behalf of multi-family office clients to investing on behalf of a major hospital system’s endowment. Her story is a testament to the power of a Darden education and the doors it opens.

Raised in Harrison, New York, Grusky pursued a double major in history and Latin American studies at Brown University. Reflecting on her time after graduation, Grusky recalls, “I was eager to engage in something fast-paced and intellectually challenging.” This drive led her to a significant role at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., where she began in client services before transitioning to the investment team — a first for the firm.

Choosing Darden was a strategic decision influenced by her desire to deepen her financial expertise and engage in a learning method that promotes active participation. “The quality of education and the case method drew me in,” says Grusky, who also benefited from the supportive environment and the Oculus Fellowship. This fellowship wasn’t just a means of financial support but a gateway into a community of visionary leaders, enhancing her educational journey at Darden.

In her roles as vice president of communications for the Graduate Women in Business and vice president of finance for the Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club, Grusky significantly shaped her and her peers’ experiences. She was also active in the community; she served as a board fellow for Live Arts, a community theater in Charlottesville, through Darden’s Net Impact Board Fellows Program. This role allowed her to gain insights into board governance while contributing to the arts, a personal passion.

Her decision to contribute to the Second Year Class Gift — a tradition where the graduating class makes a financial commitment to the School — was especially significant. “Darden has given me a lot, both financially and in terms of career preparation,” Grusky says. “Contributing to the class gift was my way of giving back.”

Looking ahead, Grusky is excited about her future role as an investor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she will manage a globally diversified portfolio on behalf of the endowment. “I’m excited to contribute to fields that align with my values,” she says.

This is part of a four-part series, “What’s Next?” Discover how Darden shapes the future of its graduates and read about other remarkable stories from the Class of 2024, including about Yonah Greenstein, Sharon Okeke and Anton Dela Cruz.