Helena, MT: The Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA) has announced that Adam Jespersen will be its new Executive Director starting May 1, 2024. Jespersen is taking over the leadership role from Liz Moore, who is retiring from MNA after nearly 12 years at the helm.
During Moore's tenure, in addition to growing MNA membership and expanding outreach to rural nonprofits, she helped steward nonprofits through the COVID crisis. Moore said she is proud of the support MNA provided for members during that time. "During COVID, demand for nonprofit services was extraordinarily high, the challenges in providing those services were remarkable, and nonprofit leaders needed steady, reliable resources and support. Our team was able to offer that and we know it made a difference across the state."
Jespersen, who grew up in Big Sandy, Montana, was selected from a pool of more than fifty applicants from around the nation. Since 2019, he has served first as MNA's Director of Innovation, and then as Associate Director.
"Adam's steady leadership, innovative strategic thinking, and systemic approach to organizational development and management are already part of MNA's culture and systems," said Alison Paul, MNA Board Chair. "As Executive Director he will bring these same qualities to his work with Montana's nonprofit sector at large."
Before joining MNA, Jespersen was with Intermountain, a human services organization based in Helena but with a national footprint. In his roles as Associate Development Director and then Chief Operating Officer, Jespersen was a key member of Intermountain's executive team – providing leadership to one of the largest human service providers in the state.
As Executive Director at MNA, Jespersen is looking forward to building on the strong foundation Moore helped build. "I am thrilled and honored to continue to build upon the transformational work she's led this past decade."
Says Jespersen, "Nonprofits are essential to the fabric of every community across Montana – as employers, as service providers, and as holders of hope and beauty. Nonprofits make up more than 10% of Montana's workforce and serve hundreds of thousands of Montanans every day. MNA has and will continue to be a committed source of information, resources, support, community, and voice for those thousands of organizations."
"MNA will continue to resource and support today's nonprofits for the needs of tomorrow. And we must ensure that our association reflects the diversity of Montana and that everyone can see themselves within the membership and programming of MNA."
There will be a celebration in honor of Moore held at the Holter Museum of Art on Tuesday, April 30 from 4-7pm. Those interested in attending should RSVP to admin@mtnonprofit.org. In addition, the MNA board asks that members of the community submit photos and messages for Moore ahead of the celebration by emailing admin@mtnonprofit.org. Finally, those wishing to honor Moore's legacy can contribute to the Liz Moore Legacy Fund for Nonprofit Advocacy by visiting MNA's website at mtnonprofit.org.
