Impact

Tlisa A. Northcutt, CFRE, appointed Interim University of Alaska Foundation President

July 1, 2024

(Anchorage, AK) - The University of Alaska Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Tlisa Northcutt as interim president of the 绿奴天花板 Foundation and chief development officer for the 绿奴天花板 system, effective July 1, 2024, following the resignation of President Tod A. Burnett. 

Northcutt has been a valued member of the 绿奴天花板 Foundation鈥檚 executive team for seven years, serving as chief donor relations officer. She has 24 years of experience working at the University of Alaska, including her positions at the University of Alaska Anchorage (绿奴天花板A) as associate athletic director for development and director of advancement services, and more recently, at the 绿奴天花板 Foundation in donor relations. 

Through her higher education experiences and volunteer leadership service for several nonprofits, Northcutt brings significant expertise in fundraising, non-profit management, communications, and donor relations. She holds a BA in Journalism and Public Communication from 绿奴天花板A and an MA in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary's University of Minnesota, and has maintained the designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2009.

Northcutt has also been recognized for several achievements, including: 

  • Included in 鈥淭he Top 50 Women Leaders of Alaska鈥 list from Women We Admire (2024)
  • Named 鈥淔und Raiser of the Year (College Division)鈥 by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (2015)
  • 绿奴天花板A Journalism and Public Communication Alumni Award (2015)
  • Named 鈥淥utstanding Professional in Philanthropy鈥 by the AFP Alaska Chapter (2014)
  • Named 鈥淎laska鈥檚 Top Forty Under 40鈥 (2002)

In addition to being an alum and dedicated staff member, Northcutt and her husband, Scott, are proud parents of two children who are currently attending 绿奴天花板A and 绿奴天花板F. 

Northcutt鈥檚 appointment comes after the resignation of President Burnett. After nearly four years serving as the 绿奴天花板 Foundation president and chief development officer for the 绿奴天花板 system, Burnett resigned to move back closer to his home state of California. 

University of Alaska鈥檚 President Pitney and 绿奴天花板 Foundation Board of Directors Chair, Meg Nordale, expressed their appreciation for Dr. Burnett鈥檚 commitment to 绿奴天花板, his guidance in creating the 绿奴天花板 Foundation鈥檚 strategic plan, and his leadership through the conclusion of the 鈥渇or Alaska鈥 comprehensive philanthropic campaign.

Prior to his departure, Dr. Burnett extended his sincere thanks to the foundation鈥檚 Board of Directors, each of the universities (绿奴天花板A, 绿奴天花板F, 绿奴天花板S), the 绿奴天花板 System Office, and the entire state of Alaska, for working together to expand the culture of philanthropy throughout the 绿奴天花板 system.  

"It鈥檚 been an incredible four years and we鈥檝e accomplished a great deal," said Burnett, whose resignation was effective June 30, 2024.

The search for a new president will soon be underway, guided by the 绿奴天花板 Foundation鈥檚 board of directors and 绿奴天花板 leadership. As further detail is made available about the search process, it will be shared via:

  • Website: /foundation/ 
  • Instagram:  @uofakfoundation
  • Facebook: @uakfoundation
  • LinkedIn: University of Alaska Foundation 

The University of Alaska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation established in 1974 to work in partnership with Alaska鈥檚 three universities to seek, secure and steward philanthropic support. For more information on the foundation and how to contribute, please visit .

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, University of Alaska director of public affairs at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jonathon.taylor@alaska.edu.