The Foraker Group

January is a time when we hold our annual meeting per our bylaws. We take care of Foraker’s business at this meeting including a review of our audit and our investments. It is a big day and one that makes me feel proud that we are doing all we can to support Foraker as a strong business that is working to strengthen Alaska’s nonprofits. Foraker’s board structure is unique compared to state associations and capacity building organizations. Our two statewide boards oversee Foraker. The Governance Board is responsible for legal, financial, and mission stewardship, and the Operations Board keeps us connected to the sector we serve. The Governance Board is comprised of leaders from the for-profit sector, local and tribal governments, higher education, and key philanthropies. It ensures that Foraker is strategically placed to advance Alaska’s nonprofit sector including tribal governments. The Operations Board is comprised of leaders from the state’s nonprofits, tribal leadership, and philanthropic practitioners. It serves as a sounding board for staff initiatives, helps monitor nonprofit issues and trends, serves as a neutral space for direct service and nonprofit philanthropy to meet, and advises the Governance Board to ensure alignment with our core purpose to Strengthen Nonprofits.

In this cycle, we said our thanks and farewell to Bryan Butcher, CEO of Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation, as he ended his nine years of service on our Governance Board, two as chair. Bryan’s kind heart and clear strategy were the perfect balance in and out of our boardroom. Truly his service was exceptional. We will miss him in all our rooms, and we are grateful he will stay on our finance committee and as a member of the Sultana New Ventures board. Please help me thank Bryan for his true commitment to strengthening the work of nonprofits and tribes across Alaska.

We also welcomed two new Governance Board members, Carol Gore and Ethan Tyler, and four new Operations Board members, Beth Trowbridge, Shane Iverson, Cynthia Libby, and Mariya Lovishchuk. These statewide leaders bring breadth and depth to our team, and we can’t wait to engage them all.

Finally, we also shared our gratitude with Jaeleen Kookesh, our outgoing Governance Board Chair. Jaeleen served two years in this position and was just the right leader for us at the right time. Her steadfast determination to keep us moving forward as we emerged from the impacts of the pandemic was insightful, inspiring, and on track. Please help me thank Jaeleen and know that she will continue on our board as she transitions in her career. Also, help me say congratulations to Dr. Pearl Kiyawn Brower who is Foraker’s new Governance Board Chair. Pearl was our Operations Board Chair, and we are so excited to work with her in her new role.

We are off to a great start with a wonderful board team.