New leaders take helm of Mines Alumni Board
Board supports activities that connect Mines alumni to the school, students and broader Oredigger community through service, support and participation
A new Mines Alumni Board Executive Committee has been voted in and will serve a two-year term through October 2025. New members include President Melanie Westergaard ’87, Vice-President Santana Sanchez ’17, Treasurer Nahjee Maybin ’18, and Secretary Mitch Kruse ’85, who is serving his fourth term in this position.
This new committee replaces outgoing members including President Bill Zisch ’79, Vice-President Sabine Brueske ’94 and Treasurer Tim Saenger '95. Zisch joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2015 and served as President from 2017 through 2023. Brueske, Saenger and Kruse also served as Executive Committee members from 2017 through 2023.
The outgoing Executive Committee was instrumental in transitioning the Alumni Association into a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) with the university and the Foundation. This collaborative partnership allowed the board to focus on key strategic priorities to advance alumni engagement and support.
“We are truly grateful for the time, service and leadership provided by the Mines Alumni Board Executive Committee over the past 6 years,” said Andy Flynn, Director of Alumni Engagement. “Their impact would not have been possible without Ray Priestley ’79 and our previous directors, who worked with President Johnson and Brian Winkelbauer to prepare a fair and functional agreement. We thank Bill Zisch, Sabine Brueske and Tim Saenger as they step away from their role on the Executive Committee and we welcome our new members with optimism and excitement.”
To learn more about the Mines Alumni Board, go to weare.mines.edu.
