Anchorage, ALASKA – Eight deserving Alaska leaders will enjoy time off to reflect and
pursue personal projects with the 2026 Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Award. The
recipients of this year’s awards receive three to four months of time away from their
regular duties. Recipients plan to use their sabbaticals for adventures, like a 96-mile hike
through Scotland, or restorative opportunities, like family visits to national parks.

The sabbatical program provides tribal administrators and nonprofit leaders extended
time away to renew their personal energy. Grants of $50,000 to each leader’s organization
help cover salary, travel, and other expenses during the sabbatical.

In their applications, several recipients highlighted the ways in which temporarily stepping
away from their roles will allow for new leadership development within their
organizations.

“This is truly an honor … to be given this special opportunity for rest, renewal, and
reflection,” said Marilyn Casteel, executive director for Safe and Fear-Free Environment
(SAFE) and one of this year’s sabbatical recipients. “This time away will allow the SAFE
management team to further develop their leadership skills. It also serves as a proactive
step toward long-term sustainability by preparing us for future transitions.”

Marce Simeon, director of the Native Village of Tazlina and a 2026 sabbatical recipient,
underscored the importance of bringing her best self to the work of supporting her village.

“Being a tribal administrator is not an easy position,” she wrote in her application. “…
Having a chance to recharge would bring me back to this position at maximum
performance, to do what our community needs.”

The award includes technical support from The Foraker Group and Alaska Tribal
Administrators Association to support each leader and their organizations before, during,
and after the sabbatical.

“This program is about investing in people who make Alaska stronger,” said Gretchen
Guess, president/CEO of Rasmuson Foundation. “When leaders have time to rest and
recharge, they come back with fresh energy and ideas that benefit all of us. It’s a win for
them, their organizations, and the communities we serve.”

Meet this year’s cohort of sabbatical awardees. Application for 2027 awards open in April
2026.

Marie Acemah, See Stories

Founder and Director of See Stories Marie Acemah grew her organization from a “me” to a “we,” from a one-woman passion project to a team effort. She has invested her time in
building capacity to ensure See Stories, which equips young Alaskans with media tools to
tell their stories, has the structure, budget, and staff to grow beyond its founder. After a
particularly challenging year of systematic barriers and funding cuts, Marie looks forward
to spending time with her three sons at home and returning to Crete, where she lived in her early adulthood.

Lauren Adams, Unalaska Community Broadcasting (KUCB)
Lauren Adams began working at KUCB in Unalaska as a video producer and got a crash
course in learning by doing. In her role as general manager for the past 19 years, she has
helped grow KUCB’s newsroom to meet the information needs of the region. Her sabbatical will allow for her to disconnect for the first time since taking on her leadership role. She plans to spend with her family, including taking a meaningful family trip, as well as engaging in activities like crafting, meditation, and focusing on her health.

Tricia Balke, Alaska Songbird Institute
Tricia Balke co-founded the Alaska Songbird Institute a dozen years ago to conserve
Alaska’s song birds through ecological education and research. She has been involved with the organization’s core projects for more than two decades. Her sabbatical will afford her an opportunity to rediscover her Alaska home through walking, gardening, and connecting with the landscape. She also plans to take an immersive Spanish class and to travel to her hometown in New England to visit family. She hopes her time away will allow other Institute staff to gain new perspective on their roles and to step into increased leadership of their projects.

Marilyn Casteel, Safe and Fear Free Environment
Safe and Fear Free Environment (SAFE) is a shelter, prevention, and advocacy agency for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Dillingham; it operates 24/7, 365 days a year, often in crisis mode. As the agency’s executive director, Marilyn Casteel is always “on,” ensuring adults and children have access to the services they need. With SAFE in the process of expanding its footprint in the Bristol Bay Region, Marilyn’s sabbatical comes at an opportune time, allowing her to recharge and take care of herself before returning to her role to support SAFE’s growth. She will also reconnect with family and friends while traveling throughout the Lower 48.

Jessica Plachta, Lynn Canal Conservation Inc.
Over her tenure as the executive director for Lynn Canal Conservation Inc. (LCC), which
works to protect Chilkat Valley’s watersheds, Jessica Plachta has shepherded the
organization through numerous changes. Thanks to her efforts, LCC’s membership has
tripled, and its budget has more than doubled. As she looks forward to continuing her work to protect ecosystems in Haines, Jessica will spend her sabbatical time with her child and her parents, both in Alaska and in the Lower 48.

Marce Simeon, Native Village of Tazlina
As the tribal administrator for the Native Village of Tazlina, Marce Simeon oversees all
office operations, using her experience as an Indian Child Welfare Act coordinator to
continue to be a voice for families and children in crisis. After five years in this role, she
looks forward to using her sabbatical to celebrate several milestones, including the
completion of her bachelor’s degree in applied leadership technologies and the
construction of Tazlina’s new community hall. She and her husband will celebrate their
anniversary with a trip to Australia and New Zealand, after which Marce will spend time
enjoying Alaska and working on a novel.

Isaac Vanderburg, Launch Alaska
Since cofounding climate tech accelerator Launch Alaska in 2016, CEO Isaac Vanderburg
has dedicated himself to building his organization’s systems, processes, and programs from scratch. In his commitment to climate innovation and building resilient, sustainable
communities, Isaac works with high-tech startups, raising major investment rounds and
tackling energy, transportation, and industrial challenges. During his sabbatical, he will
hike Scotland’s 96-mile West Highland Way, dedicate time to playing music with his
children, and map out his family’s genealogy.

Stephanie Wonchala, Pulse Dance Company
Founder Stephanie Wonchala has held multiple simultaneous roles as she has grown Pulse Dance Company into a renowned and engaged hub for Anchorage’s performing arts community. She has developed mentorship programs and residencies for local artists,
youth engagement programs that offer free classes, and inclusive arts showcases
celebrating diversity and community. She is excited for her sabbatical to provide space for
the company to grow leadership from within for long-term sustainability. During her
sabbatical, she will attend ImPulsTanz, an international festival for contemporary dance in
Vienna, followed by additional travel through Europe and time back home in Alaska to take classes, enjoy nature, and rest.

About Rasmuson Foundation 

Rasmuson Foundation is a private family foundation based in Anchorage, Alaska, with a
mission to empower Alaskans to help each other. The Foundation was created in 1955 by
Jenny Rasmuson, a Swedish missionary, and her son, Elmer, to honor her late
husband, missionary and banker E.A. Rasmuson.