2025 Most Influential Women: Winter Kinne

Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. had big shoes to fill in 2023, when longtime President Brian Fogle announced his planned retirement. Winter Kinne, a now-20-year veteran of CFO, stepped into the president and CEO role that November, and the nonprofit hasn’t missed a beat.

“My proudest professional accomplishment is having the opportunity to lead the CFO, a place I am incredibly passionate about,” Kinne says. “The executive search process was intense, spanning several months, so to truly have my dream job at this point in my career still makes me weak in the knees.”

Under Kinne’s leadership, CFO purchased and relocated to its new headquarters at the 300 S. Jefferson Ave. building formerly known as the Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center, and it has continued to grow its extensive network.

“Leading, stewarding and sharing the vision of an organization that oversees half-a-billion dollars in assets, grants out about $5 million in discretionary dollars annually and $70-plus million from all types of charitable funds, works with 600-plus nonprofit partners, 150-plus professional advisers, 55 rural communities and hundreds and hundreds of donors is nothing less than awe-
inspiring,” Kinne says. “No one is required to care about their community or give their money away, and yet for 52 years, people in our corner of the world have continued to partner with the CFO to do it repeatedly.”

Anne E. McGregor has witnessed Kinne’s leadership with CFO firsthand. A CFO board member who served as chair in fiscal 2025, McGregor says Kinne’s ability to actively listen has been key as the nonprofit has worked to expand its affiliate reach across the state.

“Winter is a tireless advocate for rural markets throughout the region, demonstrating a profound understanding of the dynamic communities the CFO serves. Her dedication to these areas is truly remarkable,” McGregor says. “Winter leads a flourishing team of philanthropic professionals and has been instrumental in expanding the foundation. Her leadership has been pivotal in driving significant growth and impact.”

Kinne’s civic work extends beyond CFO. She co-founded the Young Advocates Council, now called the Professionals 4 Child Advocacy, of the Child Advocacy Center, and she co-chaired the Friends of SPS advocacy campaign for Springfield Public Schools bond issues in 2019 and 2023. Kinne currently serves as board chair of Philanthropy Missouri, a statewide association of philanthropic organizations for which she’s the first chair to reside outside of St. Louis.

“My candor and transparency with all groups – board, staff, donors, partners, volunteers – seems to be a differentiator,” she says. “I am often thanked for it and honestly, can’t imagine being any other way.”