Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael David Gershenson |
| Profession | Real estate investor and executive |
| Education | B.S.B.A., Georgetown University McDonough School of Business (2000) |
| Notable Roles | Analyst, Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown (pre-2002); Managing Director & Global Partner, The Carlyle Group (2002–2021); Founder & Managing Partner, Ridge Real Estate Partners (2022–present) |
| Known For | High-value real estate transactions; spouse of CNN anchor Kate Bolduan |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $3 million (public estimates; exact figures undisclosed) |
| Spouse | Kate Bolduan (married May 30, 2010) |
| Children | Cecelia Eve (born September 25, 2014); Delphine Esther (born December 23, 2017) |
| Parent(s) | Bruce Alan Gershenson (real estate developer) |
| Residence | New York City |
| Affiliations | Park Avenue Synagogue; Steering Committee, Steers Center for Global Real Estate (Georgetown University) |
Early Life, Education, and Foundations
Michael David Gershenson’s biography reads like a quiet blueprint for success: a solid education, formative training on Wall Street, and a long runway in institutional real estate. Born in the late 1970s or early 1980s (public records do not confirm an exact date), he stepped onto the business track early, earning a B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in 2000. That timing—just before the dot-com aftershocks—placed him in a market that demanded discipline, patience, and an eye for value.
A family link to real estate runs through his story. His father, Bruce Alan Gershenson, is a Detroit-based developer and principal associated with commercial properties. While Michael has kept details about his mother and any siblings off the public stage, the professional throughline suggests early exposure to property markets and dealmaking.
Career Arc: From Global Platforms to His Own Firm
Gershenson began his career in New York as an analyst at Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, working on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate advisory mandates with a real estate tilt. In May 2002, he joined The Carlyle Group, one of the most globally recognized investment firms, and spent the next 19 years helping source, underwrite, and execute property deals in core U.S. markets.
Over that period, he executed more than 75 transactions with an aggregate value surpassing $6 billion, concentrating on multifamily, industrial, and life sciences assets with a geographical emphasis on New York and Boston. The numbers matter here: scale, repetition, and discipline across dozens of deals produce muscle memory that can’t be faked.
In late 2021, he departed Carlyle. By January 2022, he founded Ridge Real Estate Partners, stepping into the principal’s chair as Managing Partner. Ridge reflects a mature thesis: a focus on institutional-quality assets and operating partnerships that can perform across cycles.
Career Timeline
| Years | Role | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2002 | Analyst, Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown | M&A and corporate advisory with real estate focus |
| 2002–2021 | Managing Director & Global Partner, The Carlyle Group | 75+ transactions; $6B+ in aggregate value; focus on NY/Boston, multifamily/industrial/life science |
| 2022–present | Founder & Managing Partner, Ridge Real Estate Partners | Independent platform; continued focus on institutional assets |
| Ongoing | Steering Committee, Steers Center for Global Real Estate (Georgetown) | Industry-academic engagement and mentorship |
Investment Focus and Dealmaking Style
Gershenson’s deal sheet points to a measured approach anchored in fundamentals. Multifamily housing, urban infill industrial, and specialized life science facilities share a core logic: durable tenant demand and supply constraints that can buffer volatility. By calibrating risk across markets like New York and Boston, his track record emphasizes steady, compounding outcomes rather than headline-chasing bets.
- Transaction scale: 75+ closed deals
- Aggregate value: Over $6 billion
- Property focus: Multifamily, industrial, life science
- Market focus: New York, Boston, and select U.S. growth corridors
For a professional who prefers a low profile, the work speaks loudly enough. In real estate, the map is the market and the compass is the underwriting. His experience signals a steady hand with both.
Family, Faith, and a Private Home Life
Gershenson married CNN journalist Kate Bolduan on May 30, 2010. Reports indicate the couple converted to Judaism prior to their wedding; today, they are members of Manhattan’s Park Avenue Synagogue. Their household expanded with the births of two daughters—Cecelia Eve on September 25, 2014, and Delphine Esther on December 23, 2017. In early 2013, the family relocated from Washington, D.C., to New York City, where they continue to reside.
Despite his wife’s high-visibility career, Gershenson keeps a restrained public presence. The family’s profile is intentionally modest: no performative social media cadence, minimal public appearances, and a focus on work, community, and family life.
Family at a Glance
| Name | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kate Bolduan | Spouse | CNN anchor; married May 30, 2010 |
| Cecelia Eve | Daughter | Born September 25, 2014 |
| Delphine Esther | Daughter | Born December 23, 2017 |
| Bruce Alan Gershenson | Father | Detroit-based real estate developer |
Public Footprint in 2024–2025
Recent mentions of Gershenson remain sparse and largely biographical. There have been no widely reported controversies, splashy public deals, or personal announcements dominating the news cycle in 2024–2025. His social media presence is virtually nonexistent; mentions typically tie back to his marriage or evergreen professional summaries. For a private executive, that silence is strategy, not accident.
Net Worth and Financial Picture
Public estimates place his net worth near $3 million, a rough figure inferred from a long career in private equity real estate and his current role leading Ridge Real Estate Partners. As is typical for executives in his field, compensation may blend salary, bonuses, co-investments, and carried interest—elements that make precise public valuations difficult. The headline: he’s financially successful by any mainstream measure, even if the exact numbers remain behind the curtain.
Ties to Georgetown and Industry Engagement
Beyond dealmaking, Gershenson contributes to the Steers Center for Global Real Estate at Georgetown University, serving on its Steering Committee. This bridge between industry and academia often involves mentorship, curriculum input, and program advocacy—an avenue to shape the next generation of real estate professionals without stepping into the limelight.
At‑a‑Glance Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Graduates from Georgetown University (B.S.B.A.) |
| 2002 | Joins The Carlyle Group |
| 2010 | Marries Kate Bolduan (May 30) |
| 2013 | Relocates to New York City |
| 2014 | Birth of daughter, Cecelia (September 25) |
| 2017 | Birth of daughter, Delphine (December 23) |
| 2021 | Departs The Carlyle Group |
| 2022 | Founds Ridge Real Estate Partners (January) |
FAQ
Who is Michael David Gershenson?
He is an American real estate investor and executive, best known for his long tenure at The Carlyle Group and as the founder of Ridge Real Estate Partners.
What is his net worth?
Public estimates place it around $3 million, though exact figures are not disclosed.
What does he do professionally?
He leads Ridge Real Estate Partners as Managing Partner, focusing on multifamily, industrial, and life science properties.
Where did he go to school?
He earned a B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in 2000.
How is he connected to Kate Bolduan?
He married CNN anchor Kate Bolduan on May 30, 2010.
Does he have children?
Yes, two daughters: Cecelia Eve (born 2014) and Delphine Esther (born 2017).
Is he active on social media?
No, he maintains a low public profile with no widely recognized personal accounts.
Is he Jewish?
Reports indicate the couple converted prior to their wedding and are members of Park Avenue Synagogue.
What cities has he focused on professionally?
Primarily New York and Boston, within broader U.S. strategies.
Has he been involved with Georgetown after graduation?
Yes, he serves on the Steering Committee of Georgetown’s Steers Center for Global Real Estate.
