The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) invites applications and nominations for a strategic, visionary, and highly influential leader to serve as the next Executive Director for the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW). This role also carries the title of Associate Provost, reflecting AHW’s integral impact across MCW’s academic, research, clinical, and community engagement missions. Reporting to the Provost, the Executive Director provides overarching leadership for AHW’s strategy, partnerships, programming, grants, and philanthropy, including stewardship of funds and oversight of grant expenditures, working closely with MCW’s President and CEO, institutional deans, and senior leaders to advance Wisconsin’s health priorities.

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is a leading powerhouse in health sciences education, research, and innovation, fueling medical discovery across the state and beyond. With medical school campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Central Wisconsin, along with a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Pharmacy, MCW anchors one of the nation’s premier academic health enterprises. Consistently ranked in the top third of U.S. medical schools for NIH funding and amongst the largest private medical schools, MCW drives groundbreaking science, advances clinical excellence, and prepares the next generation of health leaders.

The Executive Director will lead the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, one of Wisconsin’s largest and most influential health philanthropic assets shaping high-impact investments that seed discovery, turn knowledge into action and strengthen community health across the state. AHW drives statewide impact through investments in research, education, policy, public health, and community initiatives. Since issuing its first grants in 2004, AHW has invested more than $350 million in 752 projects. This leader also serves as the primary steward of the Endowment’s long-term vitality, ensuring accountability, transparency and full compliance, and maintaining strong governance relationships. The Executive Director will also be an influential driver for statewide innovation, advancing new partnerships with payors, health systems, government, philanthropy, and community organizations; leading strategic convenings; directing grantmaking and pilot initiatives; and generating forward-thinking solutions to Wisconsin’s most urgent health challenges. Through bold leadership and collaborative vision, this individual will ensure that AHW continues to deliver transformative statewide impact in a rapidly evolving healthcare and educational landscape.

Review the full Leadership Profile

Learn more:

AHW Website

AHW 2025 Annual Report

The Executive Faculty Recruitment team at the Medical College of Wisconsin is assisting with this important search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to the contacts listed at the end of this document.

Procedure for Candidacy

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Confidential nominations and inquiries can be a submitted via the MCW Executive Recruitment Nominations Form or can be directed to Amanda Steffens, Executive Faculty Recruitment, Medical College of Wisconsin via asteffens@mcw.edu.

A formal application submission should include:

• Current CV (executive bio as supplement recommended)
• Letter of Interest describing:
• Interest in the role
  • A description of your experience and leadership approach, supported by specific examples that showcase your experience with the following competencies: Emotional Intelligence, Development Mindset, Collaboration, Inspiring trust, Change Leadership, Effective Communication, Innovation, Results Orientation and Financial Stewardship

Recommendations:

• You do not need to address every competency in equal depth, but the letter should touch on each.
• Use specific examples and outcomes to demonstrate how you embody these competencies.
• Aim for a balance of professional accomplishments and insights into your leadership style.

Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DO, or equivalent terminal degree and be eligible for MCW faculty appointment. The ideal candidate is an experienced and visible leader in academic medicine, health philanthropy, implementation science, research, public health, or related fields. They should bring a track record of strategic execution across health professions education, clinical practice, research, and community health, with deep commitment to systems-level improvement and community partnerships. A collaborative bridge-builder and trusted steward, they must be able to effectively engage diverse stakeholders, oversee complex philanthropic, research, educational, and public health portfolios, and navigate institutional, political, and regulatory environments with insight and tact. Known for ethical leadership, consensus-building, and impact-oriented communication, they should combine strategic focus with relational expertise to advance organizational priorities and statewide health goals.