Introducing Our New Program Officer for Strategic Engagement, Amy Kuether

Amy Kuether, new program officer for strategic engagement

Ascendium is pleased to welcome a new member to our Education Philanthropy team. Amy Kuether has joined as a program officer for strategic engagement. In this role, Amy leads investments in strategic media partnerships and field engagement. She is responsible for the development and execution of efforts to advance Ascendium’s philanthropic mission through strategic engagement with the field.

Amy joined Ascendium in 2022 as a senior writer for the organization’s Strategic Communications team. In her new role, she will work with media partners and other communications teams to identify and act on opportunities to share key insights from our philanthropic activities. In addition to supporting key field engagement strategies to amplify the impact of our grantmaking, she will also lead investments in key media partnerships aimed at bringing greater urgency to our work to remove barriers for learners from low-income backgrounds.

“We’re pleased to have Amy join our team in this new role,” said Keith Witham, vice president of education philanthropy. “Her addition to the education philanthropy team reflects our increasing recognition of the importance of strategically disseminating insights to maximize the impact of our grantmaking. Our grantees have told us they value our role in sharing what’s working and bringing greater attention to the challenges they’re tackling. Amy will increase our ability to deliver on that important role.”

Amy began her career in the federal government where she managed staff and government contracts. Since then, she has held many roles in postsecondary education, including within the University of Wisconsin System where she analyzed curriculum to inform policy, managed online programs for nontraditional learners and directed student services. Amy has also held leadership roles in global higher education. She earned master’s degrees in English and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

As Amy settles into her new role, she may be reaching out to Ascendium grant partners and connecting with individuals about media-related support. We encourage you to say “hello” and welcome her to our Education Philanthropy team!