Transition at ACF

After four and a half years as ACF’s executive director, Nick Hardigg and his family are moving back home to their native Portland, Oregon. Nick describes his time at ACF as “one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Alaska’s majestic wilderness, the challenges to protect it, and our opportunity to make a difference, are unequalled.”

Ann Rothe and Nick Hardigg

Under Nick’s leadership, ACF quadrupled its grantmaking programs to our highest level in 31 years. The foundation team has added substantial statewide expertise, become a central player in issues like Pebble Mine and climate change, and launched bold new initiatives like Community Capacity that focus upon building citizen advocacy and power.

Beginning June 6th, Deputy Director Ann Rothe will be serving as interim executive director while a search committee looks for his successor. Before joining ACF in 2007, Ann served for a decade as executive director of Trustees for Alaska, an Alaska-based nonprofit environmental law firm. Ann has a remarkable 28 years of Alaska conservation experience.

“After decades of working with ACF, first as a grantee and then as its deputy director, I’m excited to take on this role. We will launch two additional programs in the next year. Pressure on Alaska isn’t relenting, and neither will our efforts to support grassroots conservation groups.”