Robert Gayden (’12) is the President & Chief Executive Officer of BrightStar Care of Greater Waukesha & Lake Country, as well as the Founder, Managing Member & President of Gayden Capital, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. At BrightStar Care, he leads the organization’s strategy and operations, providing high-quality home care services throughout Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Through Gayden Capital, Mr. Gayden leads the firm’s efforts in deal sourcing, due diligence, capital raising, and investment policy. Before founding and leading Gayden Capital, he began his career in banking at the St. Louis and Kansas City offices of Commerce Bank.
Mr. Gayden holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Truman State University, where he was the senior captain of the varsity football team and earned All-Conference Honors as a defensive back.
He also received his MBA in Entrepreneurship and Finance from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, where he served as the President of the Black Business Association. During his time in business school, Mr. Gayden was also a Robert Toigo Fellow.
In his spare time, he enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends. Mr. Gayden is passionate about giving back to his community through philanthropic endeavors pertaining to education, human and civil rights, and the arts.
Mr. Gayden lives in the West Loop of Chicago, Illinois, with his wife, Dr. Alexis Warren, and their daughter, Zuri Gayden.