Robert D. Hardie

Robert D. Hardie received a B.A. degree from the University of Virginia in 1987, a M.B.A. degree from the Darden School of Business in 1995, and a Ph.D. in Management from the Darden School of Business in 1999.  While at the University, he lived on the Lawn, was managing editor of the Cavalier Daily, president of the Raven Society and a recipient of the Raven Award, and president of the Darden School Student Government.

Mr. Hardie is co-chairman and CEO of H7 Holdings, LLC, and Level One Partners, LLC, private family holding companies that invest in public equities, private firms, and alternative asset classes.  H7 Holdings, LLC, also owns Keswick Hall in Keswick, Virginia and The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.  

From 1999-2007, Mr. Hardie served as an adjunct member of the Darden Faculty and along with Dr. John Colley co-created two courses that are still being taught today with high demand.  Mr. Hardie and Dr. Colley also co-authored the books Corporate Strategy and Principles of General Management.  Mr. Hardie also is co-chairman of H7 Foundation, which supports educational and non-profit endeavors. 

Mr. Hardie served on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Revenue Estimates (GACRE) under Governors Kaine, McDonnell, McAuliffe and Northam.

Mr. Hardie and his wife Molly have five sons.  Ms. Hardie is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Medical School.  They reside in Charlottesville.

Mr. Hardie was appointed to the Board of Visitors by Governor McAuliffe in 2017 and reappointed by Governor Northam in 2021.  On July 1, 2023, he became rector.