Retiring GDF Board Member Jerry Zanko
June 24, 2026
The Greater Denfeld Foundation (GDF) wants to use this space to salute the nearly decade of hard work and enthusiasm that retiring Board member and 1966 Denfeld grad Jerry Zanko has contributed to the organization. Thanks to Jerry’s leadership, the GDF has made huge strides in a number of different areas – governance, fundraising, scholarship review & selection, and board development.
Jerry Zanko joined the board in 2017 and has been a GDF board member for three terms of three years each – the maximum time possible to serve on a nonprofit board in the state of Minnesota. During that time Jerry has served many roles. He was GDF Board President for three years. He was also on the Investment and Executive committees. In the committee meetings, members discuss a wide variety of things: increasing the number of scholarships and the funds given for each scholarship; bylaws, marketing efforts, and policies. The Investment Committee has focused on overseeing the GDF’s investments, managed by US Bank, to ensure good stewardship of the funds entrusted to them.
But it’s probably fair to say that Jerry’s greatest passion is in his work on the Scholarship Committee. This is the committee which reviews applications and decides who will be awarded scholarships and Jerry has always put 100% effort into this process – easily spending one hour or more on each application (81 in 2026!). It’s been a big part of each spring for Jerry for a long while. Whether it’s listening to interviews, reading essays, digging into transcripts or studying letters of recommendation, Jerry has put in the time to really understand each applicant.
Jerry Zanko presenting an award at the 2026 GDF Scholars Reception
“It’s a lot of work but I felt the students deserved that. I need to measure each application and interview with the same 36 inch yardstick.”
– Jerry Zanko
Jerry has also played an important role in adding new scholarships to the GDF’s portfolio. The GDF Donation Policy was written with Jerry’s help; online gifts became possible thanks to Jerry; and he has written a thank you letter to every contributor for nearly a decade.
Along those same lines, Jerry and other board members have also worked with people who are interested in setting up a new scholarship. He meets with them to explain what’s needed to create a scholarship and help them to establish selection criteria – whether that’s academic requirements, a specific school or major, extracurricular activities or whatever. “It’s a fun process – helping people put their generosity into action.”
Jerry Zanko
One final job Jerry has taken seriously during his nine years is recruiting people to join the Board.
“The Denfeld community is full of passionate people with a wide variety of skills. And the board needs all those skills. This is something everyone really ought to give consideration to. It’s been a wonderful experience. It’s not just a social thing. There is actual work that needs to be done.”
– Jerry Zanko
Before serving on the Greater Denfeld Foundation board Jerry worked for 29 years at Essentia Health as the Director of Employee and Labor Relations. Jerry also serves on the board for Westin Nanea Resort in Maui but plans to take a break soon – to settle down and enjoy his retirement. He lives near Island Lake with his wife and dog.
Time and again, the board has been impressed by the thorough commitment that Jerry Zanko has brought to the GDF. The dedication and zeal he’s directed toward future generations of Denfeld grads is unsurpassed. Although the foundation has over $9 million in assets, Jerry has always stressed that, “We’re not in business to save money, we’re here to give it away!” He has been committed to the students above all else – ensuring they have the chance to receive a scholarship to continue their education. The Greater Denfeld Foundation is happy to recognize the work that Jerry has put in over the last nine years and thank him again and again.