The Foraker Group

After months of planning and an extensive search using our Leadership Transition services, Foraker has helped place George Pollock as its first Executive Director. The hire represents an important step forward for STA after a long history of community driven trail work. Pollock brings more than three decades of deep involvement in Anchorage’s mountain biking and trail community to the role. He arrived in Anchorage in 1993 and quickly joined up with a group of mountain bikers exploring rides across the state, from the annual Kantishna out-and-back to the original Soggy Bottom in the early 2000s. Over the years, he has logged countless hours of volunteer trail work at Kincaid and contributed to the development of Hillside’s informal winter trail system. Pollock brings to the role a passion for mountain… Read more »

Is your organization considering a leadership change in 2026? If so, now is the time to start planning for it. Our Leadership Transition team takes a realistic and thoughtful approach to this important process so you can maintain the focus on your mission. To learn more about our services and to help assess if they are the right fit for your organization, please review these FAQs. If you have additional questions, email, or call us at 907-743-1200…. Read more »

After months of planning and an extensive search using our comprehensive Leadership Transition services, Foraker has helped place Gina Bastian as the new Executive Director of Assets, Inc. Ms. Bastian was chosen from a diverse field of candidates in a nationwide search. As the Executive Director, Ms. Bastian will be responsible for overseeing Assets’ day-to-day operations while working with the board on strategically positioning the organization for future growth and increased impact. Ms. Bastian comes to Assets with a great wealth of leadership experience and a passion for having positive impact in her community of Anchorage. Prior to Assets, Ms. Bastian worked for the State of Alaska’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation as well as previously serving on the board of Assets, Inc. Ms. Bastian’s first day was September 29. Ms…. Read more »

After months of planning and an extensive search using our comprehensive Leadership Transition services, Foraker has helped place Cady Lister as the new Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP). Ms. Lister was chosen from a large field of highly qualified applicants to lead REAP’s growing team in their mission to increase the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska through collaboration, education, training, and advocacy. Ms. Lister will assume her new role on July 8. She will overlap with REAP’s Founder and current Executive Director, Chris Rose, for 60 days to ensure a smooth leadership transition before Mr. Rose embarks upon his next adventure during his well-deserved retirement. Ms. Lister has over 20 years of experience developing and implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency policies,… Read more »

Following Foraker’s rigorous nationwide recruitment effort using our comprehensive Leadership Transition services, Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has selected Esther Pitts to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Pitts is a long-time Alaskan, Mat-Su resident, and currently serves as the Chief Community Impact Officer (CCIO) at MSHF. She will succeed retiring CEO Elizabeth Ripley and formally step into the role on May 1, 2025. Ripley announced last year that she would retire to spend more time with family, travel, and explore other community opportunities. In anticipation, MSHF Board of Directors (Board) engaged with The Foraker Group to lead a thoughtful and thorough selection process. The search spanned the nation, garnering interest from over 75 applicants. Through a series of complex and intensive interviews, the Board narrowed the… Read more »

After a comprehensive approach using Foraker’s Leadership Transition services, Kodiak History Museum (KHM) has selected Kristin O’Lear as its Executive Director. Ms. O’Lear was chosen from a field of qualified applicants to join KHM in its mission to facilitate the exploration of the natural, cultural, and artistic heritage of Kodiak Island and surrounding communities. She will lead the KHM team in creating opportunities for the public to discover, share, and exchange knowledge through the museum’s collections and resources. Ms. O’Lear brings more than a decade of museum experience and will be joining KHM from Imperial Valley Desert Museum in Ocotillo, CA where she has served as Executive Director since 2021, and head curator before that. During her tenure there Ms. O’Lear successfully led the organization through a period of rapid… Read more »

After a comprehensive process utilizing Foraker’s Leadership Transition services, the Alaska Airmen’s Association (AAA) is proud to announce the appointment of Priscilla Ribic as Executive Director of the organization. Ms. Ribic was chosen from an extensive field of candidates in a nationwide search to join the Airmen’s Association in their mission of protecting, preserving, and promoting general aviation throughout Alaska. Ms. Ribic joins AAA with extensive nonprofit leadership experience, having served as Executive Director for USA Powerlifting, an Anchorage-based national nonprofit. A pilot with a strong passion for general aviation, her experience in development and membership growth will help the Airmen’s Association move forward and continue to expand its reach and influence in the aviation sector. Alaska Airmen’s Association Board President Stephen Ratcliff said, “The board is excited to welcome… Read more »

With support from Foraker’s Leadership Transition team, JAHMI Health and Wellness has selected Dr. Will Jemison to serve as their next CEO. Dr. Jemison joins JAMHI from the brand new Alice Walton School of Medicine where he served as Chief of Staff to the CEO under the school’s development and preparation for opening in September ‘24. In this role, Jemison drove efficiency in operations, structure, and change management strategy through an academic medicine and population health lens. Will Jemison previously served as Chief Administrative Officer for Resurrection Health and Missions in Montgomery, AL. In that role, Jemison led organizational enhancements to better engage and serve a population with similar health outcomes and demographics to those of Southeast Alaska…. Read more »

After a comprehensive process using Foraker’s Leadership Transition services, Sprout Family Services (Sprout) has announced Jonathan McGhee as their new Executive Director. Mr. McGhee was chosen from a field of qualified applicants to join Sprout in their mission of promoting the healthy development of children in partnership with families and community. Mr. McGhee joins Sprout with over 28 years of experience in the human services field, not only in the United States, but in 10 other countries as well. During his more than 22 years in nonprofit leadership, he pioneered and led two non-profits, one in the U.S. and one in the Philippines, and developed the first IPS supported employment program in the State of Alaska. “The board is so excited to welcome Jon as our new Executive Director,” says… Read more »

After a thoughtful process using Foraker’s Leadership Transition services, the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Board of Directors has selected Benjamin Mallott as the organization’s next President. Mallott has been with AFN for more than 11 years and currently serves as the organization’s Vice President of External Affairs. Board Co-Chair Joe Nelson said the board conducted an extensive statewide search before making its selection. “We were fortunate to receive applications from strong and impressive candidates,” Nelson said. “This enabled the board of directors to select a person who is well aligned with AFN’s mission and values. Ben understands AFN’s diversity and has demonstrated steady leadership within the organization for many years.” Nelson cites Mallott’s background in Alaska Native issues and state and federal public policy as key to his selection…. Read more »