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(LACF News) – The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) welcomes two new members to its Board of Directors: Karen Easton and Steven Lynne, as it increases the number of members of its Board.

“Given the increased assets, number of donor funds, and support for our nonprofits, we decided that adding to our professional expertise and insight into our community needs has become a priority,” said Pat Soran, Board Chair. “Karen and Steve are both thoughtful and well-regarded leaders with broad experience in our community. With Liz Martineau recently hired as our new Executive Director, we are poised for even greater impact and value to our nonprofits and our donors.”

“I am excited to work with Karen and Steve as we begin our journey with the Los Alamos Community Foundation together,” added Martineau. “As we approach our tenth anniversary next year, new perspectives and experience will prepare us for our second decade.”

Karen Easton moved to Los Alamos from Oregon 22 years ago, and has raised two sons who both went through the local school system. She has been in the banking industry since 2007, and after more than 10 years at Los Alamos National Bank, is currently vice president and manager of the Los Alamos branch of Century Bank. She serves the community as a board member of the Los Alamos Family YMCA, board member and Treasurer of Los Alamos Commerce and Development, a Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Los Alamos. In her free time, Karen likes to hike the area trails and is an avid skier.

Steve Lynne arrived in New Mexico Los Alamos with his wife Suzanne and two daughters in 1996.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting, and prior  to coming to Los Alamos County, Steve worked with public accounting firms in Florida and New Mexico, with an emphasis in auditing local governm

ent clients. He began his career at Los Alamos County, where he held a variety of positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Assistant County Administrator and Deputy Manager. His career in public service culminated in his appointment in July 2021 as County Manager. He recently retired from this position, but he and Suzanne love Los Alamos, have no plans to leave, and are looking forward to being retired together here.

For additional information about Easton and Lynne, along with others serving on the LACF board, please visit www.losalamoscf.org/about-us/our-board-of-directors-and-staff.

About the Los Alamos Community Foundation: Established in 2015, the mission of the Los Alamos Community Foundation is to build enduring philanthropy to empower our community’s nonprofit organizations. LACF stewards fifteen permanent endowment funds and supports local nonprofits through training, initiatives and grantmaking. For more information about the Los Alamos Community Foundation, visit www.losalamoscf.org.

(LACF News) – The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) is pleased to announce local resident and supporter Liz Martineau as its new Executive Director.

“It’s great to have Liz join the foundation team,” said LACF Board Chair Pat Soran. “She brings extensive knowledge and connection to our community that is so valuable to the foundation. Liz is more than ready to help take the LACF to the next level,” he added, “and I look forward to working with such a dynamic woman — welcome aboard Liz!”

Martineau brings 37 years of dedication and service to the Los Alamos community. She has taught elementary school, provided outreach through the Bradbury Science Museum, served as Executive Director of the Historical Society and managed the Los Alamos Ambassador Program. Her experience also includes the Historical Society’s 2015 Capital Campaign and service as president of the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation.

A breadth of volunteer work with local nonprofits gives Martineau a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing these organizations in Los Alamos. Most recently, she has served on the J Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee, Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Self-Help Board and the Los Alamos Community Seed Library.

“There are more than 120 nonprofit organizations in Los Alamos that provide necessary services and improve our quality of life. The Los Alamos Community Foundation is in a unique position to foster collaboration among organizations and increase philanthropic impact to sustain them for the long-term,” said Martineau.

“I am honored to join LACF and look forward to continuing the work of Steve Laurent and previous director Rachel Kizielewicz to create lasting impacts in our community,” added Martineau.

Martineau raised two daughters on the Pajarito Plateau. She is a fiber artist who enjoys camping and hiking. She and her husband, Gordon McDonough, also own a traveling math museum. “I enjoy meeting new people, so if you see me out and about at a family math night, concert, or program, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself,” says Martineau.

Martineau replaces Steve Laurent who announced his retirement in January. They are working together until April 1 to ensure a smooth transition.

Established in 2015, the Los Alamos Community Foundation improves the quality of life in our community by inspiring local philanthropy and building the capacity and success of our nonprofit organizations. LACF stewards 16 permanent endowment funds and supports nonprofits through training, initiatives and grantmaking. For more information visit www.losalamoscf.org.

(LACF News) – Board members of nonprofits serving Los Alamos and Rio Arriba Counties are encouraged to attend a brief and engaging workshop on Purpose Driven Board Leadership co-sponsored by the Los Alamos Community Foundation and United Way of Northern New Mexico. The session will be repeated in Los Alamos, Española, and online in late February and early March. Advance registration is required. Lunch is provided at the in-person sessions.

Led by BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant Linley Daly, participants will learn the Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Board Leadership, the duties of the collective board and the responsibilities of board members. We’ll play a game called “Yours. Mine. Ours” where participants test their knowledge of the board’s responsibilities, staff responsibilities and shared responsibilities. We’ll also digest the importance of fundraising, member expectations forms and board evaluations. Q&A will follow.

Though geared to current board members, nonprofit staff, volunteers and prospective board members are welcome to participate.

Dates, times and registration:

The same workshop is provided three times to help meet participant scheduling needs. The Feb. 27 workshop is online only; the Feb. 28 and March 8 workshops are in-person only. Each session has a different start time.

• February 27, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  Virtual session via Zoom (link will be sent to registrants prior to the meeting)
• February 28, 11:30 am – 1 pm (check-in begins at 11:15)
  SALA Event Center, 2551 Central Ave, Los Alamos (lunch provided)
• March 8, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (check-in begins at 10:45)
  LANL Foundation Offices, 1112 Plaza del Norte, Española (lunch provided)

To register, go to losalamoscf.org/ticket and select the session you wish to attend. To encourage in-person participation and networking, travel will be reimbursed for those driving more than 10 miles. Questions or trouble registering? Email info@losalamoscf.org

About the Presenter:

Linley Daly has provided consulting, facilitation, and coaching expertise to nearly 100 organizations throughout New Mexico and beyond. A BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant, an ICF Professional Certified Coach and a certified Global Team Coach, she is Working Genius Certified and DiSC assessment and Dare to Lead trained.

Workshops are made possible through a Grant from Triad National Security, LLC.

Established in 2015, the Los Alamos Community Foundation improves the quality of life in our community by inspiring local philanthropy and building the capacity and success of our nonprofit organizations. LACF stewards 16 permanent endowment funds and supports nonprofits through training, initiatives and grantmaking. For more information visit www.losalamoscf.org.

Jillian Rubio, Executive Director of the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), expressed her gratitude at receiving one of six capacity-building grants given by the Los Alamos Community Foundation to area non-profit organizations.

Building upon a marketing survey conducted for PEEC by UNM in 2021 (also funded by LACF), this funding allows PEEC to create and begin the implementation of a new marketing plan.

“Our intention is to investigate how to reach audiences not currently engaged with PEEC programs, thereby advancing our mission, strengthening our long-term financial sustainability, and positively impacting the community,” said Rubio. “We’re extremely grateful to LACF for their continued support.”

Pictured L to R: Kristen O’Hara, Director of Interpretation; Steve Laurent, LACF Executive Director; Jillian Rubio, Executive Director; Ryan Ramaker, Visitor’s Services Manager; Ashleigh Lusher, Gift Shop & Programs Coordinator; Beth Cortright, Operations Manager

About the Los Alamos Community Foundation: Established in 2015, the mission of the Los Alamos Community Foundation is to build enduring philanthropy to empower our community’s nonprofit organizations. LACF stewards fifteen permanent endowment funds and supports local nonprofits through training, initiatives and grantmaking. For more information about the Los Alamos Community Foundation, visit www.losalamoscf.org.

Staff and Board members from the Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) recently celebrated a grant award from the Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) which will be used to support its financial audit process. Executive Director Rachel Mohr-Richards expressed her delight at being selected for a discretionary grant from the LACF.  “These funds will be utilized toward the cost of JJAB’s annual financial audit, which ensures the financial health and sustainability of our organization, as well as conveys transparency to our funders and the public about how we fund our programs,” explained Mohr-Richards.

“Our discretionary grants target uses that strengthen and support an organization’s long-term sustainability,” said Steve Laurent, LACF Executive Director. “I’m not sure many grants out there are for audit purposes, yet a financial audit often improves practices and procedures that lead to greater confidence in organizational stability from funders and donors alike. We’re pleased to support actions that enhance nonprofit accountability, transparency and resiliency.”

Pictured L to R: Steve Laurent, LACF Executive Director; Zachary Sestric, JJAB Youth Liaison; Dianna Reichelt, JJAB Resource Specialist Program Manager; Rachel Mohr-Richards, JJAB Executive Director; Elizabeth Allen, JJAB Board Chair; Morrie Pongratz, JJAB Board Member.

About the Los Alamos Community Foundation: Established in 2015, the mission of the Los Alamos Community Foundation is to build enduring philanthropy to empower our community’s nonprofit organizations. LACF stewards fifteen permanent endowment funds and supports local nonprofits through training, initiatives and grantmaking. For more information about the Los Alamos Community Foundation, visit www.losalamoscf.org.