WASI gets new leader

WASILLA — Now that things seem to have settled down, Wasilla Area Seniors Inc., which runs the Wasilla Senior Center, has brought in a pro to lead the operation.

Diana Strzok was scheduled to start her work today and will serve as a temporary director. The last person to hold that job, Sondra Kaplan, was let go by the organization’s board of directors July 14.

Kaplan’s tenure, at least toward the end, was marred by controversy as a collection of WASI members formed a group called Mat-Su Elder Watch that advocated for greater transparency and respect from Kaplan. The group also took issue with WASI finances, alleged bylaw infractions, a temporary closure of the fitness center and scuffles over political signs. For her part, Kaplan defended her leadership and financial decisions, saying the organization’s operations were as transparent as they could be and she had never disrespected any members.

Hopefully, Strzok said, she can help make sure all of that stays in WASI’s past.

“We’ll be working on rebuilding relationships and reviewing whatever processes and administrative systems they have in place to make sure they are doing what they should be doing and identifying some kind of management model that will take them into the future,” she said.

Though she’ll be temporary, Strzok said she will have her eye on the long-term.

“I’m hoping to, I guess, position the organization so that it’s sustainable and enhance its ability to meet the mission of the organization,” Strzok said.

Strzok is a consultant with the Foraker Group, something she’s done for the past seven years. Foraker’s mission is to strengthen nonprofits. Providing a temporary leader for groups is just one of the services it offers.

“What I typically do is mentor nonprofit executives, and I’ve done a variety of organizations in a variety of fields,” Strzok said.

That mentorship draws on 25 years’ experience as executive director of various nonprofits. She’s mentored leaders of disabilities groups, arts groups, Native corporations and at least one medical center.

“Every once in awhile an organization will lose its executive director and will need someone to fill in,” she said.

Strzok said the idea to pair her with WASI wasn’t actually her own.

“Usually when the Foraker Group asks me to come into an organization I feel like they feel like I’m a good match, so that’s how it happened,” she said. “They asked, they gave me a little information and then I was asked to meet with the (WASI) board, which I did, and then we moved on from there.”

She’s filled in as executive director for Alaska Youth and Family Network in Anchorage and the Anchorage Concert Association. But has she helmed a senior center before?

“No I have not, but I hadn’t done arts organizations before (the Anchorage Concert Association),” she said.

A lot of the work of an executive director and the lessons she’s learned doing the work translate from one organization to the next. Still, stepping into a new role isn’t ever easy.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Strzok said.

One of her big tasks there will be assisting WASI’s board of directors in the search for her replacement.

“It is a board function, but I will be working with them in that process,” she said.

She’s also looking for a place to live.

“I’m looking for a place to stay during the week (when I’m) out there,” she said. “I don’t want to use my energy on driving, I’d rather use it on what needs to be done at this organization.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.