Kauffman Foundation hires chief of staff

Susan Klusmeier, Ed.D., has accepted the position of chief of staff for the Kauffman Foundation. Dr. Klusmeier’s appointment will be effective on September 18, 2023.

A native of the Chicago suburbs, Dr. Klusmeier brings 20 years of experience as a strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader in higher education. Throughout her career, she has advocated for and implemented data-informed policies and practices to support access to education and workforce development. She is committed to community engagement and leveraging the lived experience of individuals to help identify sustainable solutions to real-world problems.

Prior to accepting her new role with the Foundation, she was the vice provost for academic success for the University of Kansas (KU). As vice provost, Dr. Klusmeier provided strategic leadership of the university’s efforts to retain and graduate a diverse community of learners.

As a champion of access and education, she successfully leveraged and expanded resources to support student success initiatives with a commitment to closing equity gaps. She partnered with regional and national organizations to design scalable initiatives to improve postsecondary degree attainment, reduce time to degree, and decrease student debt.

“Equity, opportunity, and access are core to my work and values. I am excited to continue my commitment to equitable, data-informed policies and practices, community engagement, and lasting, dynamic partnerships at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as this opportunity allows me to think about impact on a scale that would be hard to imagine anywhere else,” Dr. Klusmeier said. “I’m thrilled to work with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, the Foundation’s brilliant associates, and our diverse community of partners, friends, and neighbors in Kansas City and beyond.”

The Foundation’s work prioritizes Kansas City and the surrounding region, championing initiatives, organizations, and communities that test innovative solutions and seek to change conditions that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Foundation shares its learning, knowledge, and insights, earning a national reputation and impact through its programs, research, and policy.

“It is clear to me that Susan can step into the vision I have for this role – and the Foundation’s future – with a passion and determination for long-lasting, systems-level change,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Kauffman Foundation president and CEO. “And I trust her to do so without ever losing sight of, or connection with, the people and communities we serve.”

Please direct questions regarding the Foundation’s new chief of staff to Kim Wallace Carlson, Director of Strategic Communications.