Veteran Fundraiser Ready to Lead Southeast’s Foundation

Winona and Red Wing, MN (December 2, 2025) – Minnesota State College Southeast’s new Executive Director of Foundation & Development is no stranger to fundraising.  

Michelle Dingwall brings nearly three decades of experience to her new role leading the Minnesota State College Southeast Foundation. Originally from Chicago, Dingwall has spent the last 30 years in western Wisconsin, fundraising for organizations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

Initially, Dingwall planned to pursue a career in science, but when she realized she missed working with people, she pivoted into the advancement field. 

“Over the past 27 years, I’ve worked my way up in different fundraising roles, including events, grant writing, annual fund, and corporate and individual gifts,” Dingwall said. She served as the CEO of the Menomonie Area Chamber for five years. 

Dingwall comes to Southeast from the University of St. Thomas, where she was the Director of Development for the Morrison Family College of Health. Her higher education background includes six years as senior development officer for the University of Wisconsin-Stout Foundation and three years as Associate Director of Development for the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. 

“We are thrilled to have Michelle leading our foundation and advancement efforts,” said Dr. Marsha Danielson, president of Southeast. “Her extensive fundraising knowledge and experience will be instrumental in helping the foundation fulfill its mission of supporting our students and the college.” 

Dingwall is excited to be part of the Southeast community, given its long history of success and community support. “I’m looking forward to meeting with members of our community and hearing their Southeast stories,” she said. 

Dingwall also looks forward to working closely with Southeast Foundation board members to raise awareness and support through the “five T’s” of fundraising: time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony. 

“There are few things in life as transformative as education. Education not only opens doors to new careers and lifelong success, it also opens eyes to new perspectives and greater understanding of the world,” Dingwall said. “I have seen people transformed through education and firmly believe – as Southeast does – that everyone deserves education. This motivates me every day to help make people’s educational dreams a reality.” 

Dingwall started her new role in early November. She’s hoping to spend the final weeks of the year connecting with alumni and community members, encouraging them to consider a donation to Southeast as part of their year-end giving.  
 
She welcomes emails at michelle.dingwall@southeastmn.edu.