Burgess New WMH Foundation director
Kimberly Burgess was recently named the new executive director for Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“Kim brings some valuable experience to the Foundation,” said the hospital’s Marketing and Community Relations Manager Kasey Davis. “She is also incredibly professional, cares about her work, and is a truly kind and caring individual. We are fortunate to have her on our team.”
Born and raised in Vermont, the east coaster replaces former director Casey Ney who has decided to pursue other opportunities. Burgess transitioned into the role on Aug. 22.
“Things are going well,” she told the Weiser Signal American on Monday. “I have a great group of volunteers and our foundation board is very committed.”
Burgess’ job includes overseeing fundraising activities such as the annual Festival of Trees, which will be held this year on Wednesday, Nov. 16. In years past, it has been held the first week of December, but tree buyers have requested that they receive their trees earlier. The date change will also make it easier for volunteers to contribute their time to the event without struggling to work around holiday travel arrangements.
Other activities Burgess will be directing include the annual statewide Idaho Gives campaign, the Foundation’s Community Give Back and Donor Appreciation Dinner events.
Her oversight of the Foundation’s day-to-day operations will be split with her work overseeing the hospital’s $1.2 million federal WROTE-BH grant, which is a four-year project earmarked for the emergency department’s tele-behavioral health program.
Burgess, who lives in Nyssa, was formerly the project coordinator for the Foundation, working closely with Ney.
“It was a pleasure working with Casey; we were the dynamic duo,” she said, adding that Ney expressed interest in starting a business. Ney could not be reached at time of publication.
Burgess graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y in 1998, working as a public affairs specialist for the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. following graduation.
“I was the low man on the totem pole, so I would get all kinds of really fun assignments,” she said, recalling the day she had to figure out how to take an eye-level photo of George Washington’s statue, which stood 60 feet tall.
“They (firefighters) hooked me up into a harness and I went up an extended fire ladder,” she said.
Burgess would go on to work for three different chambers of commerce, first in Colorado and then Chicago, Ill. She then went to work for Junior Achievement in Portland, Ore., spent about seven years with the American Heart Association in Boise and, most recently, was executive director of the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce before accepting a job with the WMH Foundation.
The foundation was revamped and revitalized the year she was hired. A year later, under Ney’s and Burgess’ direction, the Idaho Nonprofit Center recognized it as Idaho’s 2021 Outstanding Small Nonprofit of the Year.
A new board was elected in August, with Nancy Lazaro, who also serves on the Weiser School District Board, was chosen as the new WMH Foundation chair. Local businessman, Kip Stromberg, of Current Physical Therapy, is the vice chair. Laurel Adams, Silvercreek Realty, is the secretary and former chair, Kara Kunz, from Baker & Murakami is the new treasurer.
With her past experience, dedicated volunteers and capable board, Burgess said she is confident in her new position.
“I work with a great group of volunteers and a terrific board. They drive the mission of our organization. My job is to support them. They really have the best interest of the hospital in mind.”
Weiser Memorial Hospital CEO, Steven Hale, said that hiring Burgess was an easy choice.
“Kim was selected for the vacated Foundation Executive Director position based on the impact she has made on the Foundation and Weiser Memorial Hospital since she was brought on as Foundation Project Coordinator two years ago,” he said. “She leads with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude that is truly reflective of her over 20 years of nonprofit and leadership experience. It really was one of the easiest hiring decisions I’ve had to make.”
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