Toledo, OH – July 19, 2024 - Greater Toledo Community Foundation (GTCF) has named area resident Kate Sommerfeld as President and Chief Executive Officer effective August 26. She succeeds Keith Burwell, who announced in April that he will retire after more than 20 years with the organization.
“Kate was selected in a comprehensive three-month search. Her deep passion for our community and proven record as a nationally recognized nonprofit and philanthropy executive made her a clear choice to lead the Foundation,” said Mike Gibbons, chairman of the organization’s board of directors.
Ms. Sommerfeld is currently owner of Social Impact Consulting Solutions LLC, which advises foundations and businesses to create partnerships that harness philanthropic and human capital. She previously served as Corporate Vice President of Community Relations and Social Investment at ProMedica and as President of the Social Determinants of Health Institute. Earlier in her career she served as Director at the United Way of Wood County and as the Community Impact Manager for United Way of Greater Toledo. Her career has focused on uplifting communities by driving resources to economically underserved urban and rural communities, building cross-sector partnerships and strengthening the nonprofit sector.
Ms. Sommerfeld has been active on community boards, previously serving on the Toledo-Lucas County Homelessness Board, Voices for Ohio’s Children, Pathways Community Hub, Hospital Council of NW Ohio and the 5/3rd Bank Northern Ohio Board.
“The search committee was impressed by both her vision and experience which will drive positive change for the Foundation and our community,” Mr. Gibbons said.
“I am honored to join a great board and staff at the Foundation to build upon the legacy of community impact that Keith Burwell and other leaders have accomplished,” Ms. Sommerfeld said. “In this new role, I intend to lead GTCF as a community convenor--building partnerships and fostering collaborative solutions.”
During his leadership, Mr. Burwell oversaw the growth of Foundation assets from $80 million to more than $400 million, grew to more than 1,000 new funds and produced investment of more than $270 million in community grants to support various causes.
“While exploring what’s next in my life, after nearly 21 years of dedicated and life-fulfilling leadership at GTCF, I’m inspired to pass the torch to a new visionary in Kate,” said Mr. Burwell. “Embracing change ensures the Foundation continues its legacy of innovation and building a thriving community. I’m excited for Kate, the Foundation and especially the community as she takes over as our new President and CEO.”
Ms. Sommerfeld has dual B.A. degrees in political science and child psychology from Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration degree, with a focus on child and family policy, from Bowling Green State University. She lives in Bowling Green with her husband, Matt and two children.
Greater Toledo Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in the region. The Foundation provides community leadership, bringing diverse groups of individuals and organizations together to develop and implement community-wide solutions to some of the region’s most pressing needs. Since 1973, generous donors have created more than 1,000 funds at GTCF, which today have a combined market value of approximately $448 million. Cumulative grants to support charitable projects over 50 years have totaled more than $269 million, with approximately $24.5 million granted in 2023.
