Kari Suzuki

Director of Operations Kari Suzuki is responsible for establishing and maintaining ECMC Foundation’s financial, business and operational systems, which allow for the efficient functioning of the Foundation. Her role is responsible for the Foundation’s general administration, grants management function, oversight of the physical office spaces and maintaining the Foundation’s budget and contract management processes, in addition to other organizational processes.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Kari served as director of operations for more than 17 years at Otto Bremer Trust in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations and administration of a philanthropic trust that gives more than $105 million annually to communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin.

Kari holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Luther College.

Why are you working at ECMC Foundation and committed to working toward improving higher education for underserved learners?

As a daughter of lifelong educators, the ability to ensure that underserved learners have access to a range of educational opportunities fuels my ongoing commitment and service toward student-centered strategies and economic mobility.