Photo description: Morning contemplation in the Galápagos Islands – birdwatching or snorkeling after breakfast

Some of you may know I’ve recently returned from a sabbatical at my role with the Rasmuson Foundation. I am so grateful for that time away, but I know that for many others in this field, the time is hard to come by and even more difficult to plan.

That’s part of the reason we at Rasmuson Foundation are so proud to run annual Sabbatical Awards for leaders of Alaska organizations. Having returned fresh from my own, I can tell you: the time away is incredible. It is renewing. And it’s really worth the effort to make it happen.

I know it can be hard to imagine. As leaders of Alaska organizations, you may be the only full‑time staff at your organization. You juggle every responsibility. You’re the go-to for urgent decisions. But no matter your situation, a sabbatical can make all the difference.

Taking time away — no emails, no pop-ins, no “working from the cabin” — was one of the most clarifying experiences of my career. I came back more committed than ever to helping build a nonprofit and Tribal workforce where leaders don’t burn out but build up.

Here are the reasons why a sabbatical can still work for you, even when the pressure feels high:

  1. Pre-planning with a team behind you: Long before unplugging, you’ll work with The Foraker Group or Alaska Tribal Administrators Association to map out who handles what. Everything from key contacts to sign-off roles are laid out clearly, so folks aren’t scrambling when you’re off-site.
  2. Board and peer engagement: You don’t just disappear. Key players are looped in early and support your absence. Before your departure, you also check in with program partners to explain how continuity is covered. Your departure isn’t a surprise. It’s a shared plan.
  3. Tools to really disconnect: Thanks to our partner GCI, every recipient gets a fresh phone for their time away. No inbox temptations, just room to step away completely.
  4. Guided re-entry: When you return, there’s a re-entry plan in place. Support in thinking about what shifts, if anything, now that you’re back with a fresh perspective.

Yes, it takes work and ample foresight. But the payoff is a stretch of time when your team grows, you have space to recharge, and you return clearer on what matters most.

Applications for the 2026 Sabbatical Awards are closing on Aug. 15. If you want to talk through how the planning really works, please reach out. I’d be happy to share what helped me get out the door with confidence and come back with energy.

Learn more here: About the Sabbatical Program | Rasmuson Foundation