David D. Etzwiler

David Etzwiler was recently named Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Foundation, a new role charged with expanding the reach and impact of the organization. The Siemens Foundation supports innovation, research and education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

Prior to joining Siemens, David led the Decade of Discovery in Diabetes, a partnership of Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and the State of Minnesota to improve health and drive economic growth.  David’s leadership has frequently been at the intersection of business, government, and philanthropy.  Before leading the Decade, he spent thirteen years with Medtronic, Inc., most recently as Vice President of Community Affairs, and Executive Director, Medtronic Foundation.  In the role, David aligned the Foundation’s philanthropy with the company’s global business strategy, building value for both organizations and society by fully leveraging Medtronic’s people, products, and programs.  David’s tenure at Medtronic included leading state government affairs efforts for Medtronic’s headquarters and serving on the board of its political action committee.

A graduate of Northwestern University, David earned his Masters of Public Policy from The Claremont Graduate University in California and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School.   Prior to taking on leadership roles in the field of philanthropy, David practiced law, with an emphasis in the areas of charitable giving, estate planning, and non-profit management. 

David has been an active member of numerous boards throughout his career, including the National Council on Foundations, where he chaired the Corporate and Global Philanthropy Committees and co-chaired the 2012 Task Force on the Future of Corporate Philanthropy.  David has also served on the boards of the National Urban Fellows, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Council on Foundations, and the Children’s Theatre Company