Amber Gichard helps the UA Foundation take center stage.

Amber Gichard’s love for musicals once thrust her into the limelight.

“While many of my coworkers know I love musicals, not many know that I was in a song and dance troupe that performed numbers from well-known musicals when I was in middle school,” said Gichard.

Now as part of the University of Alaska Foundation, Gichard helps UA’s mission take center stage. 

“I love seeing the passion of my coworkers for their jobs, the students, and their industry,” said Gichard.

Gichard began her career with the UA system in August 2004, and moved to Statewide and the UA Foundation in July 2019. In her position, Gichard oversees the Fund & Gift Services team, which includes processing all charitable donations to UA. She shares her expertise with UA departments and guides fundraisers through complicated IRS regulations and provides guidance on charitable donations. She also coordinates the creation of UA Foundation funds and helps departments manage their funds.

Girchard was born in Bremerton, Washington. As an “Air Force brat,” she grew up in Germany, North Carolina, New York and Virginia. She moved to Alaska in 1997.

 

Gichard earned an associates degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management from the University of Alaska Southeast. She was recognized by UAS with the Bob Ellis Award for Outstanding Graduate in Management. 

Although Gichard is no longer performing, she still enjoys expressing her creativity.

“I enjoy traveling with my husband, reading, attempting to (but not always succeeding) recreate crafts I see on Pinterest, and consuming the delicious meals my husband cooks,” said Gichard.