University of Alaska Foundation

Meet Harry! Harry is the executive director of philanthropy at the UA Foundation, where he leads the donor experience, philanthropic advising, philanthropic marketing and research teams.

In addition to his service to UA, Harry’s work in the social sector includes stints as past-president of several boards, treasurer of the Alaska Center Education Fund, and vice president of the South Addition Community Council. As a member of the National Ski Patrol Alaska Division, he also serves as the liaison to the NSP national legal committee. He is a 20-year ski patroller, avalanche specialist and a trustee of the Denali Ski Patrol.

A lifelong learner, Harry is a doctoral student of education at the University of Oklahoma, focusing his research on university foundation governance, interorganizational trust and higher education leadership. He is also a proud alumnus of UAA, where he earned a master's in public administration with dual concentrations in policy analysis and public management.

Most importantly, Harry is the exhausted father of a seven-year-old who loves skiing and fly fishing with his proud papa, and a husband who has been blissfully incorrect for almost twenty years this winter. When he's not catching monster trout, dropping into fresh powder turns, or banging his knuckles while maintaining his other love, an ’87 VW Vanagon, he truly enjoys co-creating meaningful charitable plans with donors.

The UA Foundation is hiring! The Director of Organizational Strategy & Initiatives serves as a key strategic partner to the UA Foundation President, providing enterprise-wide coordination, facilitation and project leadership in support of strategic priorities.

As a member of the UA Foundation’s senior staff in Anchorage, this person will play a central role in translating strategy into action, supporting institutional planning, sequencing work across the organization and advancing special projects on behalf of the President.

Learn more: careers.alaska.edu/jobs/director-of-organizational-strategy-initiatives-anchorage-alaska-united-states

For those in Fairbanks, we want to share an opportunity with you to come meet Rasmuson Foundation leaders and board directors for an evening of community and connection. Details are in the invite.

Hello, Fairbanks! Meet Rasmuson Foundation leaders, board directors, and each other for an evening of community and connection. This reception is open to the public, so please share with other community members and leaders.

Reception Details:
📆 Monday, Jun 22 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.
📍 University of Alaska Museum of the North | 1962 Yukon Dr.

Hope to see you there!

Congratulations to all, including UA Foundation Director Bill Bailey. Our thanks to Northrim Bank for their incredible support of the University of Alaska.

Meet Dory! As the senior director of scholarship administration, Dory manages the UA system-wide scholarship and awards programs, helping deliver scholarship support to students for their educational pursuits. She also gets to connect with donors who are passionate about making a difference.

Dory moved to Alaska in 1998 with her husband during his military service, and what started as an assignment quickly became home. They fell in love with Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes, close-knit communities and the resilient spirit of the people.

When her husband retired in 2008, they returned because of their love for Alaska and their family, including their daughter and grandsons in Fairbanks. The year they returned to Alaska, Dory began her role as a scholarship officer at the UA Foundation and now serves as the senior director of scholarship administration.

Through her work, Dory Straight has seen firsthand how philanthropy can transform lives, bridge dreams, and create life-changing opportunities through scholarships. Alaska continues to shape her personal and professional life, and she is grateful for the people, purpose and place she is proud to call home.

🌊🐋 Happy World Oceans Day! 🐟⚓

Across the University of Alaska system, UA students, faculty, researchers, and community partners are advancing discoveries and deepening our understanding of Alaska's unique marine ecosystems. From marine biology and fisheries to oceanography and coastal research, UA continues to be a leader in Arctic and marine science.

Thank you to everyone across UA who is dedicated to exploring, protecting, and learning from the waters that connect us all. 🌎💙

UA Foundation President Tlisa Northcutt, Investment Committee member Brian Holst, and CFO Alex Slivka just finished attending the Institutional Investor Endowments & Foundations Roundtable East in Boston. It provided a great opportunity to meet and engage with peers and attend sessions on leadership, investment and academics.

At the end, Alex (on the right) facilitated the closing keynote conversation, The New Cold War - Capital, Conflict, and the Race for the Arctic, with Kenneth R. Rosen, whose writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic and WIRED.

Meet Nicole! As the Director of Fund Management, she oversees the fund distribution process and works closely with all UA campuses to honor donor intent. Nicole leads efforts in fund management and endowment reporting, helping to improve processes that support philanthropic giving across the university.

Before joining the UA Foundation, she served as the director of Career Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks following two years as a Career Services Advisor. In those roles, she led large-scale projects and events while fostering meaningful connections with students, staff, faculty, employers and community stakeholders. Prior to her work in higher education, Nicole was also an elementary school teacher, teaching in both Alaska and Arizona. Across every stage of her career, she has remained passionate about helping others grow, succeed, and feel connected to their communities.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with friends and with her husband and their four dogs — Bjorn, Odin, Freyja, and Loki. She loves traveling, fishing, camping, exploring new restaurants, reading, baking, practicing yoga, and spending time outdoors. A lifelong learner at heart, Nicole is currently working toward her yoga instructor certification and is always seeking new experiences, knowledge, and opportunities for growth.

Fun Fact: Today is Nicole Goff's five-year anniversary at UA!

Congratulations to our colleague and friend, Dave Woodley, UA Foundation chief data officer, as he is retiring after more than 30 years at the University of Alaska, including 20 with the UA Foundation.

With a strong interest in innovation and technology, his knowledge, expertise and leadership have helped advance philanthropy across UA. Alongside his team, Dave has helped build and manage digital the systems and processes used daily.

We want to thank Dave for his dedication and celebrate him as he retires.