The Alaska Community Foundation welcomes new staff.
Photo by Tim Remick
Emily Bass joins The Alaska Community Foundation as Program Officer of Programs and Grants. Bass has been in Alaska for 21 years and has spent much of her time in the small community of McCarthy, Alaska. Originally from the northeast, Bass brings more than 25 years experience in the nonprofit sector including grant writing and development work for several notable Alaska organizations. Bass gained her experience in giving out grants through both the Rasmuson Foundation and The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, providing her a diverse knowledge of the field. Bass also worked with the Rasmuson Foundation focusing on Recover Alaska, a statewide collaboration of funders aiming to reduce the negative impacts of excessive alcohol consumption. Earlier in her career, Bass founded an adaptive ski school and worked to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and train adaptive instructors across the country. She holds a master’s degree in social work from UAA with a focus on policy and positive community change.
Photo by Tim Remick
Sharon Samuels joins The Alaska Community Foundation as Executive Assistant/Board Liaison. Samuels first came to Alaska in 1993 to work as a cook for a lodge on the Kenai Peninsula. She returned every year during college, and later, while teaching, continued to spend summers in Alaska. In 2001, Samuels accepted a position as operations manager for Alaska Wildland Adventures. After many years in tourism on the Kenai Peninsula and several out-of-state adventures Samuels settled in to the Alaskan non-profit sector as a longtime volunteer, and later, as Program Associate for Four Valleys Community School Program. In her free time, Samuels loves to cook, ski, hike and camp around the state with family and friends.