The Missoula Community Foundation Board transitioned to new roles in the new year, and several members who were integral to the rebuilding and growth of the organization have departed after many years of service.

Mark Anderson, Principal Consultant at Advanced Technology Group, will serve as board president. Outgoing president Tony Crawford, Associate Dean and Professor, University of Montana School of Business, will continue on the board and as chair of the Investment Committee.

Charity O’Connor was elected Vice President; Ben Sokoloski, Area Manager, Fidelity National Title, will be Treasurer and Julie Osborn, Co-Founder, Ecology Project International, will serve as Secretary.

The foundation is deeply grateful to Clare O’Connell, recently retired Principal at Passage West, Cindy Waltz, Broker/Partner, Ink. Realty and Rob Richardson, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Research, SG Long Financial, for their impactful, thoughtful, service on the board. 

Both Clare and Cindy guided the organization through a transition in leadership and were boots on the ground when the foundation needed a new vision, structure and staff. Marcy Allen, Msla CF Executive Director, noted, “Clare has been such a guiding light and steady leader for the organization. Her board service has affected how thoughtfully we operate in the world – and her calm personality, curiosity, and commitment has been a huge asset to our work.” And, “I can say that without Cindy, all we have accomplished and where we are today would not have happened. She provided me with a sounding board, she was curious, she jumped in whenever asked. Cindy is a doer, and when you are a big picture person you need a doer.” 

Rob served as the first chair of our investment committee. “This new leadership group has been so important to our growth,” Allen said, “ and it has guided the establishment of our managed funds. We were able to tap into Rob’s expertise – which has been an enormous asset to us, and we now have investment policies in place that are moving us forward and strengthening the organization as a whole. This would not have been possible without Rob, and we are delighted that he will continue to serve on the Investment Committee as a non board member.”