About Us

Committees

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The Committee on Membership ensures appropriate volunteer leadership of the UA Foundation by proposing the right mix of qualified individuals to the full Board for election; overseeing the education and organization of the Directors; assessing individual director and overall Board performance; and motivating and rewarding directors. This committee also provides ongoing counsel to the Board chair and other Board leaders on steps they can take to enhance the Board's effectiveness. 

The committee recommends the most effective composition of the Board of Directors. It develops practices and recommends strategies and policies to attract, orient, educate, organize, motivate and assess the UA Foundation Board with the resources that permit the board to exercise its responsibilities for UA Foundation governance at the highest level of excellence.


Jen Schrage - Co-chair
Jason Gootee - Co-chair
Linda Hulbert
Mary Kay Hughes
Aleesha Towns-Bain
Laura Bruce 
Tod Burnett

Committee liaison and board coordinator:
Matthew Paskin

The Development Committee provides guidance to the Board of Directors about how to support and participate in development efforts throughout the University of Alaska system. The committee guides and assists the board in demonstrating philanthropic leadership through donor relationship development activities. The committee partners with the foundation and universities' staff members to deepen donor relationships and promote philanthropy at UA.

Meg Nordale - Co-chair
Heather Cavanaugh - Co-chair
Anna Atchison
Stephanie Erickson
Ella Goss
Jason Gootee
Mary Kay Hughes
Linda Hulbert
Stephanie Madsen
Jennifer Schrage
Alex Slivka
Tim Thompson
Laura Bruce
Tod Burnett
Megan Riebe

Committee liaison:
Megan Riebe

Board coordinator:
Matthew Paskin

The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the UA Foundation Board of Directors when the larger board is not scheduled or able to meet to act on foundation business matters. The committee meets only in the intervals between board meetings and may exercise all authority and powers of the board except it may not amend the foundation’s bylaws. The committee is comprised of the board’s chair, vice chair, treasurer, and secretary, UA president, and one other director.

Laura Bruce - Chair
Cynthia Cartledge 
Julee Farley
Stephanie Madsen
Meg Nordale
Pat Pitney
Tod Burnett

Committee liaison and board coordinator: 
Matthew Paskin

The Finance and Audit Committee provides oversight on behalf of the Board of Directors to ensure the University of Alaska Foundation is operating in a financially sustainable manner and balancing its financial obligations. The committee also oversees the financial practices and standards of conduct, and provides accountability for areas of finance that is not the responsibility of the Investment Committee. The committee is responsible for advising the board and overseeing the foundation's operating budget, financial reporting and accounting, systems of internal controls, risk management, audits, and compliance.


Rhonda Oliver - Chair
Julee Farley 
Darren Franz
Garry Hutchison
Jo Heckman
Roald Helgesen
Brian Holst
Laura Bruce
Tod Burnett
Jonathon Taylor

Committee liaison:
Stan Mishin

Board coordinator: 
Matthew Paskin

The Investment Committee serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors in matters related to the Consolidated Endowment Fund, endowment administration, spending rates, and other investment issues. The committee is not an advisory committee to the University of Alaska Board of Regents; however, from time to time, the committee may be invited to discuss issues of common interest with the Board of Regents. The Committee is responsible for reviewing and establishing asset allocation targets; planning and approving investments in alternative asset classes; approving investment mandates, guidelines and performance benchmarks; evaluating investment performance; and directing the selection and termination of managers for the fund.


Alex Slivka - Chair
Kyle Jones
Shane Carson
Petter Jahnsen
Todd Greimann
Cynthia Cartledge
Julee Farley
Gail Schubert
Myron Dosch
Laura Bruce
Tod Burnett
Richard Schweigert 
Leo Bustad - Emeritus Committee Member 
Eric Wohlforth - Emeritus Committee Member 

Committee liaison:
Stan Mishin

Board coordinator:
Matthew Paskin

Development Committee
Linda Hulbert
Insurance Agent, New York Life Insurance Company
 
Investment Committee
Leo Bustad
Cardiologist; Emeritus Committee Member
 
Cynthia Cartledge
Of Counsel, Jermain, Dunnagan & Owens, P.C.
 
Shane Carson
State Investment Officer, Alaska Retirement Management Board
 
Petter Jahnsen
Chief Investment Officer/Chief Compliance Officer or President, Latash Investments, LLC
 
Kyle Jones
Vice President, Treasury, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
 
Eric Wohlforth
Retired attorney; Emeritus Committee Member
 
Gail Schubert
President and CEO of Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC)
 
Finance and Audit Committee
Darren Franz
Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Lending Officer, First National Bank Alaska
 
Jyotsna "Jo" Heckman
President and Managing Partner, DAS & Associates, LLC
 
Garry Hutchinson
President, Kohler, Schmitt & Hutchison