The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (the Foundation), the state’s largest community foundation, today announced that Stephanie Gale has joined the organization as associate vice president of finance – controller. She succeeds Scott Zastoupil who was promoted to chief financial officer.

Previously, Gale was a principal of the Healthcare Assurance Practice at the Minneapolis office of CliftonLarson Allen where she worked with the firm’s largest healthcare client and implemented the firm’s Seamless Assurance Advantage program. Before that, Gale spent 13 years at Ernst & Young in progressive roles, with the last five years in senior management. Her numerous accomplishments included working with key client executives and their audit and finance committees, leading nonprofit health care assurance engagements, serving as a member of the Ernst & Young Central Assurance Advisory Board and leading its Midwest Area health care audit efficiency review initiative. In 2013, Gale was recognized with the Ernst & Young Americas Assurance Inclusive Leadership Award.

“We are delighted to welcome Stephanie,” said Zastoupil. “Her impressive experience at two of the country’s leading accounting firms provides a solid foundation for serving as a trusted partner in the stewardship of community assets entrusted to the Foundation by our donors and nonprofit partners. We will look to Stephanie to lead a team that will inform the philanthropic decisions of the Foundation and our stakeholders in communities across Minnesota.”

“I am honored to join an organization whose purpose aligns with my personal values around generosity and equity,” said Gale. “I look forward to being part of an organization that is working to strengthen Saint Paul and communities statewide.”

A magna cum laude graduate of Drake University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration – accounting and finance, Gale is a Minnesota certified public accountant. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Gale has served on the board of the American Heart Association, Twin Cities Chapter, and presently serves as treasurer of the board for Plymouth-based Family Child Development Center.