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Wynndee Lee ’89 Hired as Director of Major Gifts

12/08/2021

Ottawa, Kan. (Dec. 8, 2021) – Ottawa University is pleased to announce the hiring of Wynndee Lee ’89 as the Director of Major Gifts for the Office of University Advancement. Lee will begin her duties on January 3, 2022.

“I have loved working for the city and community, but the opportunity to work for another love of mine, Ottawa University, could not be any more perfect for my post public service life,” said Lee.

In her new role, Lee will develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate and solicit new major gifts prospects for the University. In addition, she will manage the existing portfolio of nearly 100 major gift prospects. Lee will be taking a leave of absence from her position as Life Trustee on the OU Board of Trustees while employed by the University.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Wynndee to the Ottawa University Advancement team,” said Janet Peters, Vice President for Advancement. “She has so many OU connections and relationships, a strong work ethic and an amazing positive attitude. She will be able to hit the ground running to help Ottawa University raise funds for several important projects and to build relationships with even more alumni.”

Lee has spent the past 19 years with the City of Ottawa, most recently as the Director of Community Development where she oversaw planning, zoning, subdivision codes and economic development negotiations for the city. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from OU in 1989 and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1997.

“The City is appreciative of Wynndee’s many of years of service to our community,” said Richard Nienstedt, City Manager of the City of Ottawa. “We are a better community because of Wynndee’s leadership and passion for especially quality of life improvement. Not only is Wynndee a friend but she is also a consummate public professional, and I will miss the day-to-day interaction of working with her. I am pleased that she is excited with taking the next step in her life at Ottawa University. OU will be served very well and I look forward to working with Wynndee in her new capacity.”

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About Ottawa University

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution, serving more than 4,500 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; and online. Visit Ottawa.edu for more information.

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