Zimmer appointed new Foundation president

February 23, 2022 – Amy Zimmer, an experienced non-profit finance leader with more than 20 years in management, is the new president of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Foundation. Zimmer succeeds Janet Burns who retired in late December after more than three years as president and another nine years as accountant.

Prior to her UWRF Foundation appointment, Zimmer was the senior director of finance and administration for the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, an independent nonprofit organization which supports St. Paul community libraries. Zimmer has also served with the Greater Twin Cities and St. Paul Area United Way, Minnesota’s Washington County, Minnesota’s Office of the Legislative Auditor and Honeywell.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my early tenure with the UWRF Foundation and look forward with great anticipation to working with the Board of Directors and university leadership to grow our endowment and provide increased and critical support for UWRF’s students, faculty, programs and projects, such as the Science and Technology Innovation Center,” Zimmer said. “I also have a personal connection to UWRF. My daughter is a senior in elementary education. She has had a wonderful college experience.”

Zimmer now leads the UWRF Foundation team that receives, manages, and disperses Foundation funds consistent with board policy, donor wishes and the strategic initiatives of the university. Zimmer reports directly to the UWRF Foundation Board of Directors and collaborates with UWRF Chancellor Maria Gallo and Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement Rick Foy.

Zimmer earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

“We are delighted to welcome Amy Zimmer to this vital UWRF Foundation leadership role,” said David Drewiske, chair of the foundation’s board of directors. “Amy’s non-profit finance experience and her results-driven approach to management will serve the foundation well.”

“We also express deep appreciation to previous president Janet Burns for her outstanding service and contributions to the Foundation and UWRF. We wish her all the best in retirement,” Drewiske added.

For more information, contact Zimmer at 715-425-4268 or amy.zimmer@uwrf.edu.