Rasmuson Foundation welcomes five new staff

For immediate release
Oct. 11, 2022
Contact: Lisa Demer, 907-545-3555 (cell)
ldemer@rasmuson.org

Anchorage, AK – Rasmuson Foundation is pleased to announce five new staff members, including two directors filling newly created positions.

“Every employee at the Foundation is critical to our reach and impact across Alaska,” said Diane Kaplan, president and CEO. “These additions will help enhance our very mission, to promote a better life for all Alaskans.”

Rasmuson Foundation’s newest positions, director of external affairs and director of people and culture, are held by Alaskans who bring vast experience in the world of communication, philanthropy and human resources. Other new hires have extensive experience in health care, events and office management.

Meet the new team members:

Loren Abbey joined Rasmuson Foundation in August 2022 as the Foundation’s first director of people and culture. He is responsible for handling strategic approaches for all human resource functions, including organizational design, performance, engagement, staffing, organizational learning, benefits and more. Abbey moved to Alaska in 2008 after receiving his bachelor’s degree at Washington State University. Around that time, he started his career in the nonprofit sector as a grant writer for Boys & Girls Club of Alaska. He since has served in various human resource positions including for Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), Access Alaska and, most recently, Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association.

Bill Bailey joined the Foundation in September 2022 as the Foundation’s first director of external affairs. He brings nearly 20 years working in strategic communications, public relations and Alaska’s philanthropy sector. Born and raised in Fairbanks, Bailey connects strongly with organizations and causes that positively impact Alaskans’ lives and communities.

Most recently, Bailey served a nine-year tenure as Fairbanks communications manager for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., which maintains and operates the trans-Alaska pipeline. He also previously served as director of public relations for the Fairbanks School District.

Laura Boone joined the Foundation in September 2022 as office manager. She was born in Maryland and lived on a small sheep farm her first 18 years. In 2003, she moved to Alaska to attend Alaska Pacific University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental science. Before joining the Foundation, she was a staple at Spenard Roadhouse working as a server, front-of-house manager and eventually office manager. In 2022, Boone finished her master’s degree in library and information science.

Tasha Pineda joined the Foundation in August 2022 as a program officer. She moved to Alaska in February 2002 from Portland, Oregon, to provide oversight and training on a statewide substance misuse prevention program with Boys & Girls Clubs of Alaska. Pineda’s recent experiences include serving as director of accountable care with Providence Alaska and director of the Anchorage Health Department. She played a critical role developing and executing the response to multiple public health emergencies, including the 2018 magnitude 7.1 earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic.

Monica Terrones Vargas joined the Foundation in August 2022 as events manager, bringing a love of Alaska and experience in events as well as grants. Prior to the Foundation, she served as donor relations coordinator at the University of Alaska Foundation and worked in logistics for an oilfield services company. She also has worked events and concerts at the Alaska Airlines Center at University of Alaska Anchorage. She was born in Peru and is fluent in Spanish. In 2005, she graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage with a bachelor’s in journalism and public relations.

Rasmuson Foundation currently is seeking to fill additional positions. Learn more about these positions and how to apply here: https://rasmuson.org/about/employment/.

Rasmuson Foundation welcomes five new staff 10112022.

About the Foundation

Rasmuson Foundation aims to promote a better life for all Alaskans. Main funding areas are health care; the arts; organizational and community development; human services; and solutions to homelessness. Affordable, accessible broadband is a new area of interest.  The Foundation was created in 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson, a Swedish missionary, to honor her late husband, banker E.A. Rasmuson.