Northwest Minnesota Foundation Selects Vice President for Programs

BEMIDJI, MINN. – The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) is pleased to announce that Karen White has been selected as Vice President for Programs. White is the second person to hold this position since NMF was established in 1986 to help vitalize Northwest Minnesota communities.

Karen White

White will have oversight of all programmatic functions within the foundation, including the Grants Program, Entrepreneur Development Program, Business Finance Program, Small Business Development Center, IDEA Competition, the STAR (youth leadership) Program, Nonprofit Training Programs, and the Early Childhood Initiative.  She will also coordinate the group of regional leaders known as IMPACT 20/20 and manage all the foundation’s planning activities.

“We could not be happier with Karen’s hire,” said NMF President Nancy Vyskocil.  “She arrives at an opportune time for us, as NMF continues to grow and mature, and as our engagement with Northwest Minnesota becomes deeper.  Karen has a regional perspective on both economic development and social and community needs. She will be a tremendous asset to NMF and to all our regional partners.”

White comes to NMF from the 360º Manufacturing and Applied Engineering ATE Regional Center of Excellence, where she has served as executive director since its inception in 2006. She begins at NMF in April, when she will succeed Marty Sieve, who is retiring after 25 years of service.