Wilder Foundation
Armando Camacho
Amid tumultuous times for Minnesota and the nation, the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation has appointed Armando Camacho as its new president and CEO.
The St. Paul-based philanthropic social welfare organization announced last week that Camacho would be taking over for interim president Brad Hewitt. Former president and CEO, MayKao Y. Hang, left last October to serve as vice president and founding dean of the new College of Health at the University of St. Thomas.
Camacho brings nearly 20 years of executive philanthropic experience to the Wilder Foundation. However, he got his start in public education.
After obtaining bachelor’s degree in special education, Camacho became a special education teacher in the Saint Paul public school system in 1997. Continuing his own education while teaching, he then earned a master’s degree in education from Saint Mary’s University. He was soon promoted to assistant principle while still teaching. In 2003 he became principal of Whittier International Elementary School, kicking off a career in leadership and executive positions. He would move on to become director of alternative learning programs for the St. Paul public school system.
Camacho then exited the public sector, having been offered the job as president of the St. Paul social and human services mainstay, Neighborhood House. His nearly-six-year tenure leading Neighborhood House saw the organization through a period of expansion, now serving more than 15,000 people every year.
This success brought him recognition in communities across St. Paul, the state of Minnesota and nationally. In early 2014, Camacho left Neighborhood Houses to lead Opportunity Partners as its president and CEO. He would ultimately spend six and half years at the disability-focused nonprofit, leading it to sustainability while still increasing overall philanthropic giving and programs.
“Armando is the leader Wilder needs in these unprecedented times,” stated Wilder Board Chair Julie Brunner in a press release about the appointment. “His track record of building teams, establishing partnerships, and increasing organizational impact will be even more important as we go forward to heal and strengthen our community.”
Armando Camacho assumes his role as president and CEO of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation on July 1, 2020.
