Ridgewater College Welcomes New Foundation Director
September 16, 2025
WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN – Ridgewater College is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Roth as the new Director of the Ridgewater College Foundation.
Roth brings a wealth of experience in higher education fundraising and nonprofit leadership, with a strong track record of building donor relationships and advancing institutional missions. She joins Ridgewater following a distinguished career in the Minnesota State system and other higher education settings.
Roth holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from St. Catherine University and a master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She will have offices on both the Willmar and Hutchinson campuses.
This leadership transition comes as Kelly Magnuson, who has served as the Foundation’s Executive Director since 2009, assumes her newly expanded role as Vice President of Enrollment & Advancement. In this capacity, Magnuson will retain oversight responsibility for the Foundation, while Roth will lead and manage donor cultivation and stewardship, fundraising campaigns, scholarship management, alumni engagement, and coordination with the Foundation Board of Directors.
“Annette’s deep understanding of philanthropy and her passion for student success make her an ideal fit for Ridgewater,” said Magnuson. “Her leadership will allow us to build on the strong foundation we’ve established and continue to grow our impact in the community.”
Roth shared her enthusiasm for the new role. “I’m honored to join Ridgewater College and lead the Foundation into its next chapter. I look forward to working with our generous donors and community partners to create meaningful opportunities for students and fostering a culture of philanthropy that supports access, innovation, and excellence in education. Working at a community and technical college is an opportunity to make a difference by helping to provide relevant education and skills that make the region thrive and move forward.”
This transition brings renewed focus and energy to the Ridgewater College Foundation, strengthening its commitment to building a vibrant culture of philanthropy. Under Roth’s leadership and Magnuson’s strategic oversight, the Foundation is poised to expand its reach, deepen relationships with donors and community partners, enhance its impact on student access and success, and inspire generosity that transforms lives.
To learn more about the Ridgewater College Foundation or to connect with Annette Roth, visit www.ridgewater.edu/foundation.