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 UA Foundation and chief development officer for the UA system, effective July 1, 2024, following the resignation of President Tod A. Burnett. 

Northcutt has been a valued member of the UA Foundation’s 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 (UAA) as associate athletic director for development and director of advancement services, and more recently, at the UA 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 UAA 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 “The Top 50 Women Leaders of Alaska” list from Women We Admire (2024)
  • Named “Fund Raiser of the Year (College Division)” by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (2015)
  • UAA Journalism and Public Communication Alumni Award (2015)
  • Named “Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy” by the AFP Alaska Chapter (2014)
  • Named “Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40” (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 UAA and UAF. 

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

University of Alaska’s President Pitney and UA Foundation Board of Directors Chair, Meg Nordale, expressed their appreciation for Dr. Burnett’s commitment to UA, his guidance in creating the UA Foundation’s strategic plan, and his leadership through the conclusion of the “for Alaska” comprehensive philanthropic campaign.

Prior to his departure, Dr. Burnett extended his sincere thanks to the foundation’s Board of Directors, each of the universities (UAA, UAF, UAS), the UA System Office, and the entire state of Alaska, for working together to expand the culture of philanthropy throughout the UA system.  

"It’s been an incredible four years and we’ve 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 UA Foundation’s board of directors and UA leadership. As further detail is made available about the search process, it will be shared via:

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

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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.