JACKSON, Wyo. — On Jan. 10, volunteer board advisor Katharine Conover-Keller was appointed as Trustee by The St. John’s Health Board of Trustees.
This action fills the vacancy created by Joe Albright’s resignation in November 2021.
According to St. John’s, Albright cited his job as a COVID case investigator with the Teton County Health Department as a reason for his departure. “It turns out there is not enough time in the week to do both jobs well while also keeping an eye on the operations of the Flat Creek Ranch,” said Albright. “I leave the board with a conviction that the hospital is in good hands – even during the stressful times when all hospitals in the country are hurting from COVID.”
Conover-Keller enters her position on the board after over 14 years as president of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.
During her tenure, the organization’s assets grew over 40% to more than $85 million. Annually, the Community Foundation raises millions of dollars for local nonprofits through Old Bill’s Fun Run. “I feel humbled, given the depth of the other applicants, to be selected for this office,” said Conover-Keller.
“Without St. John’s Health, none of us could live in Jackson Hole,” she said in her application to the Board. “There is no institution more critical to our lives, and none more deserving of our support, passion and enthusiasm. As an Advisor, I happily devote all three.”
Previously, Katharine was the Executive Director of Community Safety Network, also serving on the Governor’s Domestic Violence Elimination Council and the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Earlier in her human services career, she was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Jackson Hole Community Counseling Center. In 2015, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.
“Katharine has been an outstanding member of the Nominating and Governance Committee at St. John’s Health. I am delighted to see her appointed as a Trustee and also as Chair of the CEO Search Committee,” said Board Vice-Chair Debby Hopkins. “Her wealth of leadership experience will be invaluable to the board and her extensive experience in executive search will be an important addition to the process.”
Conover-Keller was among eleven other candidates who were interviewed to replace Albright’s position on the Board.
