Appointment to take effect August 8, provides smooth transition for leadership
The Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) Board of Directors will appoint Diana Anderson as interim president/CEO effective Friday, August 8.
Anderson joined SWIF as development director in 2001, leading SWIF’s fundraising efforts and starting SWIF’s community foundation program. In 2007, she was promoted to chief operating officer (COO). In this newly-created position, Anderson provided leadership and oversight to SWIF’s internal operations and functions, including strategic planning, management team leadership and program design. In 2011, Anderson was again promoted to vice president/COO, playing a more visible role in program development and delivery, working alongside SWIF team leads in communities across the southwest Minnesota region.
“Diana’s history at Southwest Initiative Foundation, extensive leadership and management experience, and connections throughout southwest Minnesota will serve her well as interim president/CEO,” said SWIF Board Chair Robert Saunders. “Our organization is in great hands as we continue working through this leadership transition.”
Longtime SWIF president/CEO Sherry Ristau announced her forthcoming resignation in June. She has been employed over 20 years at SWIF, including the last 17 as president/CEO. Ristau accepted the position as new president & CEO of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, serving communities along the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities area of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois.
SWIF’s Board of Directors is implementing SWIF’s succession plan, which includes appointing Anderson as interim president/CEO. The board appointed a search committee to explore all options and make recommendations to the board, which will continue leading the transition process.
