David Etzwiler will join the Siemens Foundation as CEO, effective October 22, 2013. In this position, Etzwiler will oversee day-to-day operations of the organization while implementing a strategic vision that expands both the reach and the impact of the Foundation.
“I really couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Siemens team. Siemens has such a rich history of creating products to improve individual lives and society and the Foundation is already a recognized leader in STEM education,” said Etzwiler. “The opportunity to further advance the full spectrum of assets at the Foundation is an amazing opportunity.”
As part of its mission to support innovation, research and educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually to enhance STEM education in the U.S.
“David’s extensive experience in corporate philanthropy and his unique understanding of the intersection of business and society will enable the Foundation to explore new ways to bring people, products and programs together,” said Jim Whaley, Chairman of the Siemens Foundation and Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Siemens Corporation. “At a time when STEM jobs are growing three times faster than non-STEM jobs, the Siemens Foundation is committed to supporting the development of the inventors and innovators of tomorrow.”
Etzwiler received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School and brings more than fifteen years of experience in both corporate and healthcare foundations to his new role at the Siemens Foundation. In addition to serving in several leadership capacities at non-profits and foundations in Minneapolis, David practiced law in the areas of charitable giving and non-profit management.
Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Decade of Discovery in Diabetes, a partnership between the Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and the state of Minnesota. While there, Etzwiler executed a portfolio-based strategy to make Minnesota the state with the lowest incidence and growth rate for diabetes in the country. Prior to this role, he served as Vice President of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the Medtronic Foundation, the philanthropic arm of a medical technology company.
