Santa Clara University Names Frank Tessier as Chief Investment Officer
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025—Santa Clara University Vice President for Finance and Administration Wilson Garone today announced the appointment of Frank Tessier as Santa Clara’s next chief investment officer. As CIO, he will be responsible for designing and implementing investment strategies for the University’s $1.55 billion endowment, under the advisement of the Investment Committee of Santa Clara University’s Board of Trustees.
“Santa Clara University is fortunate to have Frank Tessier as its next chief investment officer,” said Garone. “Frank lives the University's values of integrity, excellence, and collaboration every day, and his deep familiarity with each of our strategic partners positions him to make an immediate impact. I am confident that his leadership not only will strengthen our investments, but also ensure they align with our mission and strategic goals for the future.”
Tessier has served as investment director in Santa Clara’s Investment Office since 2021. In that role, he shared responsibilities across all investments in the portfolio, the portfolio's overall construction, and all investment processes. Over the past few years, this has grown to include team hiring and oversight, as well as broader university communication and collaboration.
Prior to joining Santa Clara, Tessier was a senior portfolio manager with Radar Partners, where he worked across asset classes, with a focus on direct venture capital. Before that, he specialized in asset allocation and portfolio construction at Makena Capital Management. With more than a decade of experience, he has a proven track record and commitment to achieving excellence in investment performance, plus a reputation for sound investment judgment and risk management.
Tessier earned his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a bachelor of science from Washington and Lee University, where he graduated summa cum laude.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as Santa Clara University's next CIO,” said Tessier. “As someone who is passionate about Jesuit education and its mission to shape ethical leaders for a better world, I am inspired by the values and vision that guide this incredible institution. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation that has been laid and working collaboratively to steward the University's investments in a way that supports Santa Clara and ensures a bright future for generations to come.”
Tessier succeeds John Kerrigan, who is retiring at the end of the academic year. Kerrigan will continue supporting the Investment Office and the University to ensure a smooth transition of duties.
“It has been a privilege to play a role in advancing Santa Clara University’s mission,” said Kerrigan. “As CIO, Frank Tessier will do a superb job focusing on the endowment’s performance and maintaining robust relationships with key stakeholders.”
“For 23 years, John Kerrigan has served Santa Clara with integrity, insight, and devotion,” said Garone. “He has overseen the growth of the endowment from $425 million in 2002 to its current value of $1.55 billion. Over the past decade, the endowment has performed in the top decile of U.S. endowments of $1 billion+. The University owes him a great debt of gratitude for his service.”
About Santa Clara University
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information, visit scu.edu.
Media Contact
Lisa Robinson | SCU Media Communications | lrobinson2@scu.edu | 408-551-3601