It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gene Zink, Strategic Capital Partners’ founder and Executive Chairman. Gene passed away on March 4, 2026. Gene was a remarkable leader for business and civic institutions in greater Indianapolis and beyond.

After graduating from Vanderbilt (BA), University of Hawaii (MBA) and Indiana University (JD) Gene started his career in Indianapolis, IN as an attorney with Bose McKinney & Evans. He became CFO of P.R. Duke and Associates in the early 1980’s and helped transform PR Duke into Duke Realty as one of the four sponsors of the Duke Realty IPO in 1993. During Gene’s tenure as CFO and Vice Chairman, Duke Realty was one of the best preforming public REITS on the NYSE.

After Gene left Duke Realty, he started SCP, first as a real estate fund business that morphed into other investments including public/ private development projects in the Indianapolis area. Under Gene’s leadership, SCP entered into community development related projects and joint ventures at Avondale Meadows, University of Indianapolis and Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana. At Avondale Meadows, Gene helped transform a neighborhood by adding new affordable housing units, retail and a 70,000 YMCA Health and Wellness Center.

Gene served on many civic and business boards including Goodwill, Ivy Tech, Indy Chamber, Park Tudor, United Way of Central Indiana, Fifth Third Bank (Indiana), People’s Bank, Visionary Enterprises, Inc (VEI), Windrose Property Trust and Kite Realty. Gene left a profound impact on Indianapolis, making it a better place to live while helping those most in need.

Gene is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Mary Ann (Thomison) Zink; his daughter, Elizabeth “Lisa” Donahue (Joe) of Woodinville, WA; his son William “Will” Zink of Indianapolis; his sister, Lucianne Hunsperger (Wayne) of Englewood, CO; and his beloved grandchildren William, Madeleine “Maddie”, and Hollins Donahue, and William “Liam” Zink Jr., and Claire Zink. Genes family was his pride and joy, and his legacy of strength, compassion, and leadership will continue to live through them.

The original biography posted to this website is below.

Gene Zink is Executive Chairman of Strategic Capital Partners, LLC. His responsibilities include strategic planning, investment decisions, fund raising, financial reporting and investor relations.

Prior to founding SCP, Gene co-founded Duke Realty where he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. During his 26-year tenure, Gene helped grow the firm from owner/operator/developer status to a $10 billion NYSE-listed company with one of the best performance records and fiduciary reputations of any publicly traded REIT.

Gene joined Duke Realty Corporation in 1982 after practicing law as a partner with Bose McKinney & Evans and serving as a Captain in the United States Air Force.

Gene holds three degrees: A Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University, an MBA from the University of Hawaii and a Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. In 2016 the University of Indianapolis awarded Gene a Doctor of Humane Letters and in 2020 he was honored as a Fellow of the Academy of Law Alumni Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Gene volunteers on the Newfields’ Buildings & Grounds Committee and serves as a board director to Ivy Tech Foundation, Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana and the Indy Chamber, where he also served as Chairman.

Gene served as President of the Park Tudor School Board of Trust, Park Tudor Foundation, CICOA Foundation and Pleasant Run Foundation. He also served as a director at United Way of Central Indiana, Fifth Third Bank (Indiana), People’s Bank, VEI and Windrose Medical Properties Trust and Kite Realty Group (NYSE:KRG).

Gene is a co-founder and past President of the board of the Challenge Foundation Academy. CFA is an inner-city charter school which has received both state and national recognition for successfully educating children from challenged urban neighborhoods. Gene and his wife are also co-founders of The Gene and Mary Ann Zink Poverty Institute at the University of Indianapolis.

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