President of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole Katharine Conover has announced that she will retire as of June 2020.
“It’s time to use the “r” word,” Conover said in a press release. “Knowing the Foundation is in an incredibly strong position, I am ready to announce my retirement, though I’m not quite ready to leave. I’ve given the Board a year’s notice.”
Since Conover was hired in 2005, the assets of the Community Foundation have grown 136% to more than $78 million, comprised of over 250 funds. The endowment portfolio has also grown from $8 million in 2005 to $42 million today, including $5.7 million in an unrestricted operating endowment. The Foundation has consistently ranked in the Top Ten in gifts per capita, grant activity and transactional volume since 2014 according to CF Insights annual survey—the only community foundation to do so in all three of these categories. Since 2008, the Foundation has been accredited in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. It owns the Jackson office where it employs 10 staff members, and its affiliate, the Community Foundation of Teton Valley, established in 2007, has three dedicated staff members based in Driggs, ID.
In accordance with best governance practices, a complete Succession Plan is in place and up to date. The Board has appointed a Search Committee, which is prepared to hire an Executive Search firm to find the next President, supported by the Foundation’s strong existing leadership, including Karen Coleman, Executive Vice President and CFO and Amy Wheeler, Vice President of Philanthropic Services.
“This is an incredibly healthy organization that is well-staffed and driven by a strong mission and vision. There is a bright future ahead for the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole,” said Bill Hoglund, the Foundation’s Board Chair.
Looking back on her fourteen years with the organization, Conover said, “It has been an unbelievably wonderful experience leading the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, and now it is time for a different adventure. I am sure that everyone will be fascinated by pictures of my new grandson, and I am happy to share them with anyone who shows the slightest interest! It may be a cliché, but in my case, it is true. I’d like to spend more time with my family.”
