Christy Cincotta – Anchorage, AK Executive Director, Tyonek Tribal Conservation District Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership Steering Committee Member Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee Member I am a goal-oriented person – I have a “plan” for most things in my life. Even my down time is planned out, usually on paper in the form of a list. Which is why, when I felt uncertain about the future, I spent a lot of time and energy wondering “what’s next” Catalyst created space for me to clarify that I wanted to be exactly where I was, that I wanted to plant roots in Anchorage and to continue working in a place I love and for an organization I really care about.  I have found that in the process of practicing… Read more »

Laurie Stuart – Homer, AK Update: Laurie is currently the Executive Director of the Pratt Museum Education Director, Alaska SeaLife Center Seward Community Library Association Board Member After many years teaching abroad and exploring “the rest of the world”, I returned to my home state of Alaska to join the Alaska Sealife Center. Three years later, I assumed a management role. As someone who is deeply connected to engaging people in personally meaningful learning processes, I knew that the transition to becoming a senior manager meant a shift in the way I drew inspiration, as well as how I would now be inspiring others. In that same year, I watched as our CEO’s approach to leadership developed through Foraker’s Catalyst process. I joined the Catalyst program the following year with the… Read more »

Laurie Morrow – Seward, AK Education Director, Alaska SeaLife Center Seward Community Library Association Board Member After many years teaching abroad and exploring “the rest of the world”, I returned to my home state of Alaska to join the Alaska Sealife Center. Three years later, I assumed a management role. As someone who is deeply connected to engaging people in personally meaningful learning processes, I knew that the transition to becoming a senior manager meant a shift in the way I drew inspiration, as well as how I would now be inspiring others. In that same year, I watched as our CEO’s approach to leadership developed through Foraker’s Catalyst process. I joined the Catalyst program the following year with the hope that this process would demonstrate how I could better… Read more »

Kirk Rose – Anchorage, AK Executive Director, Anchorage Community Land Trust Anchorage Public Library board member Anchorage Downtown Partnership board member My Catalyst experience began as I was on the cusp of becoming Executive Director at the Anchorage Community Land Trust. I thought Catalyst would be a perfect time for me to reflect on my leadership style, learn a few new tools and tricks and network with some great new people. As I was stepping into a prominent leadership position, I wanted to model professional development for my team and adapt our business strategy according to some industry best practices. Through the program, I was able to do all those things and, more. Much more. Catalyst invited me to be courageous in the face of challenge. At the same time… Read more »

Mollie Kabler – Sitka, AK Executive Director, CoastAlaska Alaska Arts Southeast, Inc board member I was in a place in my career where things were static. I’d been effectively managing CoastAlaska for a number of years, but I knew in order to stay energized I needed something. At the same time, my husband was recovering from cancer treatment, and the health threat had turned our world upside down. I was determined to be “all in” when I came to Catalyst, and what I gained was perspective. I changed the way I approached my work, and focused on strengthening important relationships in my personal life. I learned to be patient with myself, and to notice when I was holding myself back. Most of all, I learned that if I wanted change… Read more »

Allison Fong – Seward, AK Region Manager, Strategic Planning – Providence Health & Services Alaska President Elect, YWCA Alaska I had my first big leadership role in my career – a thrilling accomplishment – and three years in, I started to wonder how to take the next leap, how I could stretch myself to be better and more effective. I knew people that had “it,” but I didn’t have a map to get there, and I wasn’t really sure what “it” was. My life was a series of road trips – traveling for work, getting out on Alaskan adventures – it felt like I was always on the go with no time to feel grounded. Catalyst compelled me to STOP and take stock of the things in my life that… Read more »

For the next few weeks Foraker will be highlighting Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence graduates – nonprofit leaders from around the state who are working together to strengthen our communities. These are their “Catalyst” stories. For more information about the program click here – the deadline to apply is July 15. Stephanie Berglund – Anchorage, AK CEO, thread Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children board member As I read over the Catalyst program material, one benefit stuck out: “experience more work life balance.” I had been internally promoted from the COO to the CEO of thread, and I had a lot of people vying for my time. As someone who is driven to do good work, it was hard for me to find enough time for work without feeling like… Read more »

The Council has issued the following advice to organizations that face increased costs from the FLSA Overtime Final Rule. How is a nonprofit going to maintain the same level of services to the public pursuant to government grants and contracts when its costs are likely to go up when it implements the Overtime Final Rule but its reimbursement rate is not? The Labor Department, in its materials explaining the change in employment rules, seemed to acknowledge the challenge for “organizations for which some or a significant amount of funding comes from government or private grants of set amounts.” The Labor Department has offered assurances that future grants and contracts from that federal agency will adjust reimbursement rates to recognize the new overtime requirements. It was also revealed at a congressional hearing… Read more »

  For the next few weeks Foraker will be highlighting Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence graduates – nonprofit leaders from around the state who are working together to strengthen our communities. These are their “Catalyst” stories. For more information about the program click here – the deadline to apply is July 15.   Cameron Wohlford – Fairbanks, AK Senior Project Manager, UAF Facilities Services For most of my adult life, I have been in service to my community, to the University of Alaska, and, of course, to my family. At the University my mentor Pat Pitney saw more potential than I was demonstrating. Perhaps my focus was too wide – being a father of three, the chief and CEO of a local fire department, and a full-time employee at UAF. When Pat… Read more »

For the next six weeks Foraker will be highlighting Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence graduates – nonprofit leaders from around the state who are working together to strengthen our communities. These are their “Catalyst” stories. For more information about the program click here – the deadline to apply is July 15. The first story is from a nonprofit leader who hails from Nome: Mary David – Nome, AK Executive Vice President, Kawerak, Inc. As I near 50, it’s important for me to think about the legacy that I’d like to leave behind. What has been instilled in me is to think about the generations to come and the importance of protecting our environment so that we can enjoy it long into the future. Taking Catalyst – I was reminded of the vision I… Read more »