Rasmuson Foundation Names Tasha Pineda Chief Program Officer

Anchorage, Alaska — Rasmuson Foundation is proud to announce the promotion of Tasha Pineda to the newly created role of Chief Program Officer, a strategic move that brings all of the Foundation’s grantmaking—core and strategic—under one leader.

This new structure is designed to better serve Alaska’s nonprofits, tribes, and community partners by creating a more unified, responsive, and coordinated approach to funding. It reflects the Foundation’s commitment to investing in Alaska’s future and connecting and convening those working to shape it.

“Tasha is a thoughtful leader, a skilled grantmaker, and a trusted voice in community,” said Gretchen Guess, President and CEO of Rasmuson Foundation. “Those qualities matter as we continue to do more than invest. We connect, we convene, and we listen. Tasha brings the clarity, compassion, and strategic thinking that help us do that well.”

Tasha joined the Foundation in 2022 and has led major initiatives focused on homelessness, developing young Arctic leaders, and the Grantmakers tour. Her career spans public health, nonprofit leadership, and government service, including leading Anchorage’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 7.1 earthquake.

In her new role, Tasha will oversee all grantmaking programs and partner relations, ensuring that funding decisions are aligned with community needs and long-term goals. This unified leadership will help streamline processes, strengthen relationships, and build momentum around shared priorities.

“I believe in the power of partnership,” said Pineda. “This role is about listening to communities, building trust, and investing in solutions that reflect Alaska’s diversity and resilience. I’m honored to help carry that work forward.”

Tasha holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Alaska and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Alaska Pacific University. She was inducted into the Delta Omega Honor Society and named one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Alaska Journal of Commerce.

Her appointment comes as Rasmuson Foundation celebrates its 70th year of investing, connecting, and convening to empower Alaskans to help each other.

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.