Kathleen B. Vogelsang, CFA, is a true believer in remembering where you come from. A first-generation college graduate and non-traditional student, she earned her MBA and CFA designation while raising three children and working full-time.
“I started out from very humble beginnings, nothing came easy,” Vogelsang said. “I was the first one in my family to go to college and paid my own way through, starting with community college. I don't ever want to lose sight of who I am; I'm still just humble little me—no matter how many awards I get. [What matters] is who I am … someone who’s trying to do the right thing and be a good person.”
Today, Vogelsang is recognized as a seasoned investment executive and community leader in West Michigan. She notably served for 20 years as Chief Investment Officer of the Van Andel Institute, building its Endowment Investment Office from the ground up and growing it from $465 million to $2.3 billion—strengthening the Institute’s capacity to advance lifesaving biomedical research.
Deeply committed to service, she has held leadership roles with the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the Michigan Women’s Commission, and the Grand Valley State University Foundation.
“I don’t believe in leadership being one person’s voice. It's about understanding where other people are coming from and the paths they've taken, and being empathetic to their situations,” said Vogelsang, who also deeply believes in mentorship, having served formally and informally as a mentor for other women, in addition to connecting college-age women to other mentors in West Michigan. “When I see women who are looking to advance, I try to make connections to people in the community that they can either learn from or perhaps work with. I believe a lot of connecting is learning from somebody and finding mentors. It’s very rewarding, and it goes both ways.”
After losing her 17-year-old daughter in 2008, Vogelsang became a passionate advocate for organ donation, lending her voice, time, and leadership as a donor mom to Michigan Gift of Life.
“I wanted to use a tragedy for good,” Vogelsang said. “That meant ensuring that other lives were saved by organ transplantation and getting more people registered on the donor registry. And doing that in my daughter’s honor was very important to me.”
A survivor of a heart attack in 2016, Vogelsang also champions women’s heart health awareness and stays involved with the American Heart Association.
Professionally, Vogelsang has gone on to co-found an independent investment consulting firm (Bostwick Investment Consulting) and continues mentoring women and investing in her community. She encourages other women to be very open to opportunities, to step out of their comfort zones, and to avoid putting themselves in a box.
“Early in my career, I had to really force myself to do those things, but they ended up being the greatest choices I could have made,” Vogelsang said. “You don't know where your career is going to take you, so say ‘yes’ to that opportunity, even if you're not quite sure how you're going to do it.
“You can figure it out.”
An introvert who’s also enjoyed some fun as a percussionist and backup vocalist in a rock band, Vogelsang reminds us that we all have a different path that’s often not straightforward. Forge ahead and celebrate it anyway.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Summer ’26 issue of West Michigan Woman.
