Biography
Beginning as The Rasmuson Foundation’s first employee, Kaplan led its development into Alaska’s largest foundation. During her 27-year tenure as president, the foundation grew from $5 million to $800 million in assets and developed a national reputation for excellence in grantmaking and public policy work.
Nationally recognized as an outstanding philanthropy leader, as Senior Fellow, Kaplan will provide guest lectures and research, and will inform and participate in a variety of educational programs and activities sharing her expertise with the school’s students and philanthropic sector professionals nationwide. The Senior Fellow position is made possible by a grant from The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
In 2022, Kaplan was appointed to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board of Directors by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate. Earlier in her career, she served as President and CEO of the Alaska Public Radio Network, guiding the expansion of stations and programming, as well as the creation of a national Native American news network. Prior to joining The Rasmuson Foundation, Kaplan founded and led a consulting company providing government relations and management advising for private foundations, broadcast companies, Native corporations and nonprofit organizations.
Kaplan is a founder and board member of United States Artists, the nation’s largest funder of fellowships for artists in all disciplines, and guides the grantmaking of two donor-advised funds at the Alaska Community Foundation. She has received numerous honors from industry, tribal and civic organizations, both nationally and in Alaska.