Gustavus Adolphus College President Rebecca Bergman was one of 84 women recognized by the George Family Foundation at its first-ever “Celebrating Twin Cities Women Leaders” event on Tuesday, September 16 at the Guthrie Theater.
The event celebrated women who have served as CEO, board chair or president of large corporations, colleges and universities, government and nonprofit organizations, health care, and major arts organizations in the Twin Cities. Nine groundbreaking women leaders were also honored posthumously at the event for their contributions in creating the quality of life present in the Twin Cities today.
“We are pleased to honor Rebecca Bergman for her leadership and contributions to our community. I find it immensely gratifying the number of talented women who have led the Twin Cities in building institutions and solving significant social problems,” said Penny George, president of the George Family Foundation. “I hope the community realizes how very fortunate we are for their dedication and their leadership.”
Bergman, who is the first woman to serve as president in the 152-year history of Gustavus, began her duties on July 1, 2014. She spent the previous 26 years at Medtronic, Inc., including the last 14 years as a senior executive. Her most recent position was Vice President of Research, Technology, and Therapy Delivery Systems for the company’s Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management business, where she led a research and development team of scientists and engineers.
Bergman earned her B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University and undertook graduate study in a Ph.D. program in chemical engineering and material science at the University of Minnesota. She was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2001, and elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2010. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sigma-Aldrich, and on the Board of Directors of The Bakken Museum.
The George Family Foundation was created in 1994 by Penny and Bill George in order to share their net worth through philanthropy that will have a positive impact on issues of importance to them. The mission of the George Family Foundation is to foster wholeness in mind, body, spirit, and community by developing authentic leaders and supporting transformative programs serving the common good. The guiding philosophy of the George Family Foundation is to invest in people, programs, and initiatives that further the mission of the Foundation and help build the communities in which we live.
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