Sunflower Foundation Announces Shanna Zimmer as New CFO

The Sunflower Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of veteran financial controller Shanna Zimmer as its new chief financial officer. 

Zimmer, of Topeka, joins Sunflower Foundation after spending the previous six years as a controller in both the health care and nonprofit sectors. She brings considerable experience in accounting processes; financial planning, reporting and analysis; and budget development and management to her new role with the foundation, a health philanthropic organization with a mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of all Kansans. 

“Shanna’s expertise in nonprofits and health care systems makes her a tremendous addition to the foundation,” said Billie Hall, president and CEO of Sunflower Foundation. “She is genuinely interested in continuing to grow and develop in her career, and we are excited to have her.”

Taking over the CFO role after the departure of longtime foundation CFO Cheryl Bean, who resigned in August to spend more time with her family, Zimmer will oversee the financial, investment, and business planning for the foundation and Sunflower Nonprofit Center. She also will manage the organization’s budget, ensure that the foundation is adhering to auditing and accounting policies, oversee human resources, and serve as an adviser to the CEO on financial decisions.

The opportunity to return to the nonprofit sector and work for an organization driven to help create healthier communities across Kansas was alluring for Zimmer.

“With a background in health care finance, I felt drawn to the Sunflower Foundation’s mission,” Zimmer said. “I will be focused on reducing burdens during the grant application process while continuously seeking opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization system-wide.”

As controller for Community HealthCare System, Inc., in Onaga, Kan., DCCCA, Inc., in Lawrence, Kan., and The University of Kansas Health System, St. Francis Campus, in Topeka, Zimmer contributed to the financial and operational success of each of those organizations. She started her career as an accountant for Slawson Companies, Inc., in Wichita, Kan.

Zimmer has a Master of Health Care Leadership from Friends University in Wichita and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University. She is a member of both the Institute of Management Accountants and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

“I look forward to being a part of the incredible work taking place at the Sunflower Foundation,” Zimmer said.

Originally from Tescott, Kan., Zimmer and her husband, Joe, have three children.