Wendy McKee’s History with Salzburg Global
Former staff member and longtime supporter Wendy McKee’s connection and love for Salzburg Global Seminar is rooted in its impact: “I’ve seen the programs, the outcomes, and what the organization does, so I absolutely know [my donation] matters. I think it's important to have an organization like [Salzburg Global]. It gives me a little more hope knowing that there's a lot of people working on a lot of fronts to make this a better world.”
Wendy was among a group of former staff members who returned to Schloss Leopoldskron in July 2024 for a reunion with current staff, coined the “Middlebury Reunion”. The name harkens back to when the Salzburg Global US Office was based in Middlebury, Vermont, linked to the tenure of the eighth President of Salzburg Global and the thirteenth President of Middlebury College, Olin Robison. The US Office moved to Washington, DC, in 2006, where it remains today.
Wendy first joined the Salzburg Global team as an outside auditor in 1992, became full-time in 1993, and eventually became the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer. During her time with the organization, she frequently traveled between the US and Salzburg to strengthen organizational connections – this July was her first time in Salzburg in 20 years.
Despite leaving the organization in 2004, Wendy and her husband, Bruce, have generously continued to support Salzburg Global’s mission and work. As supporters since the early 2000s, Wendy notes “Looking from when I was there to where it is now, it's amazing to see what's been done.”
Most recently, Wendy and Bruce have initiated a project to plant a tree in Schloss Park to honor the Middlebury Office and Staff, leveraging their networks and inviting others to join them in this initiative.
The Schloss Park is a shining feature of the Salzburg Global campus. It is home to the Mansbach Garden Parterre, the Salyer Cherry Grove, and several commemorative trees celebrating individuals with extraordinary impact on the organization – including Olin Robison. For Wendy and Bruce, this project is an organic way to pay “well-deserved tribute to those that helped the organization become what it is, and an opportunity for us to give a little back to the organization that has been so impactful to us personally and globally.”
To bolster Wendy and Bruce’s generous seed donation, an anonymous donor has agreed to match all additional contributions up to $5,000. Proceeds will go toward planting a tree in honor of the Middlebury Office and Staff and supporting our work and programs.
To participate, please donate online, selecting the “General Operating Support” fund and noting “Tree and gifts in honor of Middlebury Office and Staff” in the Special Instructions section.
About Wendy McKee:
Wendy McKee is the Vice President of Accounting at Capstone Development Partners, a student housing and campus facilities real estate development company exclusively focused on working with colleges and universities in public private partnerships. Our mission is unique to the student housing industry in that we focus on projects where we are in partnership with the university— rather than simply building apartments in a community with little regard for its plans, its institutional objectives or its long and short-term goals.
Prior to joining her husband Bruce at Capstone in 2011, Wendy spent ten years working as a CPA in two public accounting firms which led her to her career in the non-profit sector. After working as an auditor of Salzburg Global, she served in several finance roles for eleven years before becoming the Finance Director at the Vermont Community Foundation.
She and her husband split their time between Denver and Seattle. She is a devoted mother to her two adult daughters. She loves to travel, cook and be outdoors, especially near water.
