Q&A with our Vice President of Finance, Jason Hilton
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Q. How did you end up at Northwest Health Foundation?
A. Well, Nichole really wanted a colleague of mine for this position. As I was helping her vet this opportunity against her passions and desired skill set, she elected to pass. However, through the process it became clear to both of us that my skill set and abilities could add value to the organization. So I did some research on Nichole and the history of the organization and pursued the opportunity.
Q. Describe a day in the life of Jason.
A. I wake up, feed my labraweenie and drive to work. I spend my mornings reviewing and reconciling investment activity and reviewing our cash needs. Usually by 10:30 a.m. I am working on a problem with the building. The afternoons are dedicated to strategic process improvement and impact investing. Then I go home and feed my labraweenie.
Q. What are your goals for your work at NWHF? What do you hope to accomplish?
A. To help maximize the impact of Northwest Health Foundation by devising innovative impact investing strategies, improving managerial tools and contributing to the strategic vision of NWHF.
Q. What has been your favorite moment at NWHF so far?
A. (1) On a trip to Curry County getting to spend fireside time with colleagues discussing each other's personal and professional journeys. (2) My first day at NWHF we participated in a kickball tournament for Playworks. It was a great way to interact with the NWHF team and see how bad philanthropists are at athletic events. I was convinced that part of the decision to hire me may have been to help the kickball team.
Q. What was the hardest part of creating NWHF's 2015 budget?
A. Predicting the allocation of time and grant activity across the numerous donor advised programs we service on behalf of our funding partners.
Q. What is your best piece of financial advice?
A. Don't get lost in the woods. Keep focused on the big picture.
Q. What is your best piece of fishing advice?
A. Go fishing during the week, not on the weekends. I'm jealous of people who can do that regularly.
Q. What is your favorite part of the holidays? Least favorite?
A. My favorite part of the holidays is creating memories with loved ones. My least favorite is shopping.
Q. Do you have a New Years resolution for 2015?
A. To exercise more and take my daughters rafting.