Eden Prairie Community Foundation executive director to retire

After more than eight years as the executive director for the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, Mark Weber has decided to retire. 

The announcement was made in a Thursday, Jan. 13, press release.

According to that release, Weber was the first full-time executive director for the foundation and has guided the organization through years of record growth and expanded impact on the community. He is known as a trusted leader who excels at bringing people together to solve a problem or address a need.

“Mark’s leadership has helped the foundation support and address so many people and organizations in our community,” said Carlos Berger, chair of the Foundation Board. “He has grown the organization to a place that positions us for a successful future.”

Weber began his many years of service to the community in 1979 as a reporter for the Eden Prairie News. Over the next 22 years, he covered local stories and became a fixture within the community. He ended his newspaper career in 2013 as the publisher of Eden Prairie News and general manager of Southwest Newspapers to become the first full-time executive director of the foundation.

In an email Thursday, Weber said he is committed to remaining as executive director until the end of June, which corresponds to the end of the foundation’s current fiscal year. He said he would leave before then if a new executive director came aboard earlier than anticipated.

Weber and his wife Roma will continue to live in Eden Prairie as “we explore this next chapter of our lives.”

He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Eden Prairie Local News and contributes stories to the website. 

“I treasure my time at the foundation, and all of the donors, volunteers, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations I have come to know,” Weber said. “I look forward to helping onboard the next executive director so the foundation can continue to work on behalf of residents and businesses to make Eden Prairie even better than it is today.”

The Foundation Board is seeking candidates to replace Weber. To recommend someone or to apply for the position, email a resume and cover letter to hr@epcommunityfoundation.org. To learn more about the job, visit the Eden Prairie Community Foundation’s website.

The mission of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation is to enrich the community through philanthropy, collaboration, and leadership. “We’re able to accomplish our mission through strong leadership, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors and supporters,” the press release states.

A recognition event celebrating Weber’s many years of service to the community is planned. More details about this event will be available in the future.