Early Life and Education
Tamara Hughes Gustavson was born in 1961 in the Los Angeles area, California. She is the daughter of B. Wayne Hughes, co-founder of Public Storage, and Marjorie McKechnie. She graduated from San Marino High School in 1979. She attended the University of Southern California, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in public affairs.
Rise to Success
Gustavson's career began in 1983 when she joined Public Storage, the company her father co-founded. She worked at the company for twenty years, rising to senior vice president. In 2008, she rejoined the company’s board of trustees. Her wealth is primarily derived from her substantial ownership stake in Public Storage, making her the largest individual shareholder. Additionally, she owns 66 self-storage facilities in Canada.
Key Business Strategies
A key aspect of Gustavson's business acumen is her strategic investment in Public Storage. She has been a board member since 2008, leveraging her deep understanding of the self-storage industry to contribute to the company's growth. Furthermore, she is involved in the operation of Spendthrift Farm, a prominent thoroughbred horse breeding and racing operation, demonstrating diversification in her business interests.
Philanthropy
Tamara Gustavson is a dedicated philanthropist, serving as a director of the William Lawrence & Blanche Hughes Foundation, which focuses on supporting childhood leukemia research and treatment. The foundation has made significant donations, including a $50 million gift to Seattle Children's Hospital in 2024.
