Sabbatical Awardees

Meet the nonprofit and tribal leaders who have received a sabbatical

They’ve ziplined in Costa Rica, spent summers at fish camp and toured ancient cities. They’ve reconnected with family and friends, read piles of books and cooked healthy foods. Their extended time away came with supports to ensure success. And they returned to work refreshed and ready to continue doing jobs they are devoted to. Foundation Sabbatical Awards provide paid time away.

Sabbatical spotlight

Mariya Lovishchuk, executive director of the Glory Hall in Juneau, Alaska, received a sabbatical in 2022. She shared her story and encouraged others to apply.

All Sabbatical Awardees

Kay Clements

  • General Manager
  • Lynn Canal Broadcasting Inc.
  • 2019

Mary Middleton

  • Executive Director
  • Stone Soup Group
  • 2019

Tara Riemer

  • President and CEO
  • Alaska SeaLife Center
  • 2019

Lainie Dreas

  • Executive Director
  • Alaska Junior Theater
  • 2019

Melanie Bahnke

  • President
  • Kawerak Inc.
  • 2018

Jack Hébert

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Cold Climate Housing Research Center
  • 2018

Roberta “Bobbi” Leichty

  • Executive Director
  • Southeast Region EMS Council
  • 2018

Philip Licht

  • Executive Director
  • Set Free Alaska Inc.
  • 2018

Joyce Moropoulos

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • HeartReach Center Inc.
  • 2018

Nikole Nelson

  • Executive Director
  • Alaska Legal Services Corporation
  • 2018

Fawn Silas

  • Administrator/Bookkeeper
  • Nondalton Tribal Council
  • 2018

Jillian Lush (Richardson)

  • CEO
  • Sprout Family Services
  • 2017

Stephanie Berglund

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • thread
  • 2017

Jason Hodges

  • Executive Director
  • Anchorage Concert Association
  • 2017

Alison Kear

  • Executive Director
  • Covenant House Alaska
  • 2017

Gerda Kosbruk

  • Tribal Administrator
  • Native Village of Port Heiden
  • 2017

Susan Ohmer

  • Director
  • Petersburg Mental Health Services
  • 2017

Dana Brown

  • Executive Director
  • Alaska Family Health & Birth Center
  • 2016

Michele Brown

  • President
  • United Way of Anchorage
  • 2016

Victoria D’Amico

  • Executive Director
  • Sitkans Against Family Violence
  • 2016

Jerry Dzugan

  • Executive Director
  • Alaska Marine Safety Education Association
  • 2016

Susan Kessler

  • Executive Director
  • Alaska Center for Children and Adults
  • 2016

John Weaver

  • President
  • Valley Residential Services
  • 2016

Guy Adams

  • Executive Director
  • Northwest Inupiat Housing Authority
  • 2015