James Gruver is Managing Director and Head of Capital Formation at ORIX USA, with responsibility for advancing third-party capital growth and deepening investor engagement across the platform. He works closely with investment teams and senior leadership to bring ORIX USA’s differentiated alternative investment capabilities directly to institutional investors, supporting the firm’s next phase of strategic growth and long-term capital partnerships. He joined the firm in 2026 and is based in New York.
Previously, Mr. Gruver served as the Global Head of Alternatives at Polen Capital. In this role, he oversaw the firm’s alternatives distribution and growth strategy globally, including investor engagement across institutional and international markets. Prior to his role at Polen Capital, Mr. Gruver served as Managing Director of Client Service & Marketing at Heitman, where he led the firm’s global sales process, relationship management, client service, and marketing functions. During his tenure, he built and institutionalized a global client facing organization supporting real estate and infrastructure investment strategies.
Before Heitman, Mr. Gruver was Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Investor Relations at Black River Asset Management, overseeing global IR efforts across hedge fund and private equity offerings. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at BNY Mellon Investment Management, with responsibilities spanning North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.
Mr. Gruver holds a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of Opportunity International, a global nonprofit that provides microfinance services to entrepreneurs living in poverty across the developing world and is involved with other philanthropic and advisory organizations.
