New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

 The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is happy to welcome new team members and celebrate the role transition of two others.

Mahlet Herrmann is MSHF’s new accounting systems manager. Jessie Burbank has transitioned to a new role as program associate and Kelsey Anderson is now the program executive assistant on the grantmaking team.

Mahlet Herrmann has joined the MSHF team as the new accounting systems manager. She brings a diverse background of experience, including prior work as a case manager at True North Recovery and four years in the United States Marine Corps where she worked in financial administration. Herrmann has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American Military University.

Jessie Burbank transitioned to a new role as a program associate on the grantmaking team, where she manages the target wellness grants which fund health and wellbeing projects up to $25,000. She also administers the technical assistance program, connecting Mat-Su organizations with support in areas like accounting, fundraising and capital project planning. For three years, Burbank served as Connect Mat-Su’s community resource specialist and information and referral coordinator. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in women’s studies.

As the new program executive assistant, Kelsey Anderson will assist the chief community impact officer with board support, project management, and system enhancements. Prior to this role, Anderson served two years as a program assistant. She brings previous experience in agriculture and other administrative roles, including at a nonprofit that served children with developmental disabilities.

 

An A+ Scholarship Team

Our scholarship program has experienced significant growth over the years; 2024 was no exception. With more than $2.6 million awarded to 436 academic scholarship recipients earlier this year and continuous interest in our vocational scholarships, we now have two staff dedicated to the scholarship program’s year-round success.

Adelina Rodriguez is the new scholarship program officer. She has 16 years of experience in higher education and brings an extensive background in student-centered services, strategic program development and management, financial aid expertise, recruitment, and career development. Rodriguez has taught courses at Mat-Su College to support student success. She has a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in curriculum instruction from New Mexico State University.

Erin Bendle joins MSHF as the new scholarship associate, where she will conduct community outreach and provide vital support to the program. Bendle graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor’s in social work and a minor in drug and alcohol studies. During the early part of her career she worked with young people as an inpatient drug and alcohol counselor and then transitioned into working with adults experiencing chronic mental illness. More recently, she worked in youth and family services at the Wasilla Public Library.