Delore Zimmerman

Delore Zimmerman has over 25 years of experience in the public, private, and social sectors. In 1994, they began their career as a Senior Fellow at the Center for the New West, where they led the High Performance Community Initiative in collaboration with Philip Burgess. In 2004, they became the Executive Director of the Red River Valley Research Corridor, where they worked to catalyze and promote science, technology, and engineering initiatives that created new economic opportunities in the region. In 2008, they became the Publisher of NewGeography.com, where they featured writing and research from authors across the U.S. In 2009, they founded and became President of Praxis Africa, Ltd., which works with leaders and entrepreneurs in business, government, the social sector and traditional areas to develop sustainable opportunities related to agriculture, entrepreneurship, energy, and education. In 2011, they were installed as Nai Awuah Kotoko, Development Chief of Awutu Mankessim. In 2012, they joined the North Dakota Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. In 2018, they became the Executive Director of the Valley Prosperity Partnership, a private sector-led initiative focused on developing a shared vision and action plan for high value and sustained economic growth for the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Most recently, in 2020, they became a Member of the Board of Directors for Fenworks, Inc., which is using Esports to engage students in their classrooms.

Delore Zimmerman received their Master's degree in Sociology from the University of North Dakota in 1979. Delore then attended Penn State University from 1980 to 1986, where they obtained their PhD in Sociology, Economic Geography, and Environment.