Rasmuson Foundation Welcomes Four New Staff Members

ANCHORAGE—Rasmuson Foundation announced four new hires. Its new staff members include the nonprofit’s first IT operations manager as well as administrative help to keep operations running smoothly:

Shawn Rivera, IT operations manager. Rivera joined Rasmuson Foundation in December 2018. He has spent the bulk of his career working in IT positions for public and private entities including Municipal Light & Power and the state Department of Natural Resources. Before this position, he served as a program officer with The Alaska Community Foundation. Rivera is a lifelong Alaskan who has lived in Kodiak, Adak, Eagle River and Anchorage. He is part of the 90 percent by 2020 Leadership Team that aims to increase high school graduation rates.

Jess Haley, executive assistant to the president and board liaison. Haley joined the staff in January. She brings more than a decade of administrative work in higher education including experience in Tacoma, Chicago and Anchorage. Most recently, she worked at the University of Alaska Foundation learning about the importance of philanthropy in the state. She’s born and raised in Alaska.

Stephanie Hubers, executive assistant to the vice presidents. Hubers joined the team in November with years of experience in office administration and executive support. She worked most recently at the Alaska Primary Care Association and before that spent four years at Covenant House Alaska. There, she says, she worked with “some of the most interesting, creative and resilient youth she’s ever met.” She’s originally from Orange City, Iowa.

Samona Norombaba, administrative assistant. Norombaba, who came on board in October, staffs Rasmuson Foundation’s front desk and juggles administrative and accounting duties. She grew up in Florida cities including St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale, as well as in Illinois. Norombaba also works as program director for the Anchorage International Film Festival, managing volunteers who screen more than 1,000 submissions.

“We are thrilled with our growing team. All four of these individuals have the talent and skills to help us move forward,” said Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation president and CEO. “We are grateful to our board for having confidence in our vision as we fine-tune existing programs and expand our initiatives.”

Rivera, as the Foundation’s first IT manager, is beginning with an assessment of practices and tools. “I am evaluating what we have and what we need, to take us where we want to go,” Rivera said. “I’m looking at our systems and trying to make them work best for the people we serve.”