Karl Guenther joined the James S. McDonnell Foundation (JSMF) in 2023 as the vice president for strategy and programs. In this role, Karl is responsible for strategic planning and evaluation of Foundation and grantee outcomes; development and growth of JSMF’s program investment areas and program team; and managing collaborations with other funders and community stakeholders.
Before joining the Foundation, Karl was the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Economic and Community Development at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). In this role, Karl led the university's Office of Economic and Community Development and built a university-wide strategy to consciously apply UMSL's assets as an anchor institution to drive economic opportunity in North St. Louis County, the St. Louis region, Missouri and beyond. In this capacity, Karl led and supported community-university partnerships and initiatives on topics such as inclusive hiring and purchasing; campus development; education and health initiatives; growing a culture of engagement on campus; increasing engaged and applied research and teaching; building statewide community development capacity; institutional impact measurement; and fostering connections and relationships with community partners and residents.
Karl is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration. He holds a Masters Degree from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.