Kimberly Burton

Kimberly Burton
Chief Executive Officer
The Heat and Warmth Fund
Kimberly Burton joined The Heat and Warmth Fund as Chief Executive Officer in 2025. THAW, an independent nonprofit organization, provides energy assistance to Michigan residents in need. Since 1985, THAW has provided over $238 million in utility assistance to over 331,000 struggling Michigan families.
From 2015 to 2019, Burton served as CEO for the American Red Cross in the State of Michigan. While overseeing the organization’s $60 million operational budget, Burton was responsible for core service delivery for disaster services, blood services, fiscal management, fundraising and revenue initiatives to further the organization’s goal of building a more resilient Michigan.
Burton drew on her experience with creating the first state-wide diversity and inclusion initiative at the American Red Cross when Michigan Engineering appointed her as the College’s first Executive Director for Culture, Community and Equity in 2021. Having received both her Bachelor of Arts and master’s in public administration from the University of Michigan, Burton coordinated the implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities across the Engineering College.
She has also served as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusive Practices and Corporate Services for the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), where she also created The Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy (MFAAP), an affinity group within CMF whose mission is to broaden and strengthen philanthropy in the African American community in Michigan.