Leawood resident Susan Tideman has been appointed as the new executive director for the Blue Valley Educational Foundation.
What’s happened: With the entirety of her career in professional fundraising, Tideman replaces former executive director Joy Ginsburg, who has served in the position since 2016.
- In May, the foundation announced that Ginsburg would be leaving the role to become the new executive director of the Johnson County Community College Foundation.
- “[Ginsburg] did a beautiful job engaging the entire district… and was really great with our community,” Tideman said.
Professional background: Prior to Tideman’s onboarding in August as the foundation’s new director, she worked at William Jewell College as the associate vice president of advancement.
- Tideman has also served as a major gift officer with the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
- In total, Tideman said she has been an active leader in the Kansas City education community for nearly two decades.
- For her education, Tideman has a bachelor’s degree in small business administration and management from Buena Vista University.
Personal ties: In addition to her experience as an advancement professional, Tideman has been an active community volunteer and a longtime Blue Valley resident.
- She has lived in the district for the past 25 years as a Leawood resident.
- “Even while I was working in Liberty, I lived in Leawood,” Tideman said. “And, so, when this position became available, this felt like a very good fit.”
- All three of Tideman’s children also attended the Blue Valley School District and graduated from Blue Valley North High School.
Key quote: “I’m very excited about the ability to fund the innovation and the creativity of our teachers,” Tideman said. “Our teachers in the classroom come up with the most wonderful ways of teaching our children, and it’s fun to be a part of that.”
Future plans for the Blue Valley Educational Foundation: Tideman said she hopes to see the foundation grow in its individual gifts and corporate investments through direct programming and sponsorships.
- “My background is in individual giving and major gifts,” she said. “And I think the foundation is in such a nice place right now that we can add that to it.”
- She would also like to see the continuation of the organization’s popular fundraising events, including its Battle of the Bands event and the community breakfast.
