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Ann Kjera takes over as United Way director Fairbanks, AK (April 29, 2008) With barely time for a deep breath in between, Ann Kjera is exchanging executive director chairs. Today is her first day on the job leading the United Way of the Tanana Valley. Friday was Kjera's last day as director of Hospice of the Tanana Valley, where she oversaw a successful million dollar capital campaign and the building of permanent Hospice offices. According to Marilyn Romano, a member of the United Way selection committee, Kjera was the unanimous candidate of both the selection committee and the full United Way board. "I think she is going to be such an asset to United Way for what she brings to the organization. Her career has taken her up to this point of leading," Romano, publisher of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, said. "She was able to take Hospice to the next level, and I think she will do the same with the United Way. What Terry (Strle) did for 10 years was extraordinary, and Ann will continue along the same path." The crossover from hospice, one of United Way's beneficiary agencies, wasn't a long term goal, Kjera said. A friend first brought it to her attention when the former director, Terry Strle, was elected mayor last November and the position opened. But Kjera wasn't interested at the time. "I'd been so focused on building and fundraising and continuing service (at Hospice)," she said. But as the Hospice building neared completion and staff prepared to move in, Kjera, at the urging of others, decided to apply for the job. "What drew me to United Way was being able to serve the community in a broader way," Kjera said. As the new United Way leader, Kjera will be overseeing United Way annual campaign, which supports 23 United Way member agencies, various community development programs and an emergency/disaster program. Raised in Fairbanks, Kjera spent 13 years in Kodiak, where she was employed in human services at Providence Kodiak Medical Center and served four years as coordinator for the Family Caregiver Support Program, before returning to her hometown in 2005 to take on the hospice directorship. Jeri Wigdahl, also a selection committee member, said she was impressed with Kjera's wealth of human services experience and gentle way. "She truly cares for the people and the nonprofits in the community. "I believe she has the ability to reach out to the community and the nonprofits. She understands both sides," Wigdahl said. Back to News |
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