FAIRBANKS – Alaska Nanooks Director of Athletics Brock Anundson has announced Marisa Sharrah as the department's next Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
"We're excited to add the Senior Woman Administrator distinction to Marisa's title," said Anundson. "Her leadership, administrative expertise, and commitment to mentoring our student-athletes make this role a great fit. Marisa's enhanced title takes effect immediately, as she continues to be a tremendous asset to Alaska Nanooks Athletics."
Sharrah has been with the Nanooks for the past three years as the Associate AD for External Relations and now adds the SWA role. Prior to joining the Nanooks, Sharrah spent two and a half years as the Development Program Manager at the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation. There, she administered all fundraising programs for the Foundation, including annual giving, major gifts, employee giving, and special events. She also identified and engaged with individual and corporate donors to align their philanthropic goals with the hospital's needs, while stewarding donors and sponsors. Her responsibilities included planning and executing large fundraising events, coordinating volunteer recruitment and management, overseeing advertising and marketing efforts, and utilizing fundraising software to manage donor portfolios, track progress toward financial goals, and prepare reports for the Board of Trustees.
Before joining the Foundation, Sharrah served as the President and CEO of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce from July 2016 to January 2021. In that role, she directed strategic planning and led the Chamber's annual program of work to advance its mission while managing daily operations and staff performance. She oversaw communications, cultivated key relationships with stakeholders, and set external marketing and advertising priorities.
Sharrah also spent eight years with Flint Hills Resources of Alaska, serving as Community Relations Manager from August 2008 to July 2016 after holding prior roles as a Public Affairs Assistant and Training Specialist.
Her impact extends throughout the Fairbanks community. She has been involved with organizations including the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, the UAF Chancellor's Board of Advisors, the Alaska Nanooks Hockey Transition and Steering Committee, the Stand for Alaska Coalition, the Arctic Winter Games, Go Red for Women Fairbanks, and the Fairbanks Women's Hockey Association.
"I'm honored to be recognized as the Senior Woman Administrator and to have the opportunity to continue serving our student-athletes, department administrators, and coaching staff," said Sharrah. "Over the last couple of years with the UAF athletics department, it has been a privilege to be part of our growth and the deepening of community connections. I am committed to serving with this new designation with excellence and continued growth in mind."
The Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) represents the highest-ranking female in each NCAA athletics department or conference office. The purpose of the SWA designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports. The designation enhances decision-making through inclusion and diverse perspectives at the campus, conference, and national levels. The professional success of the SWA helps ensure leadership demographics reflect the student-athlete population, creates visible female role models for student-athletes and staff, and provides diverse points of contact within the senior management team.
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