Mason General Hospital Foundation continues its mission to provide funding to Mason Health and Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County in support of health care programs and equipment for the local community. In fulfilling this important mission, the Foundation Board of Directors consistently seeks out strong community leaders who are committed to assisting the Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors. It is with pleasure that Mason General Hospital Foundation announces that it has elected Lisa Welander to the MGHF Board of Directors.

Welander has been in the banking business for 38 years, and currently works for Heritage Bank as the Senior Vice President and Data Governance Officer where she has been employed since 1999. With a desire to take a step back from work, Welander went to part-time status with Heritage in their administration offices. Since then, she has volunteered her time with local nonprofits such as Exceptional Foresters Inc. and Habitat for Humanity of Mason County, where she volunteers on the family selection committee. She is looking forward to bringing her administrative expertise to Mason General Hospital Foundation.

“Since going part time, I’ve been able to give back to my community and contribute skills from my administration experience as well as my own personal business experience,” Welander said. “This is where I live. My kids live here, I was born and raised here. I want to be involved in my community and make a difference. This is a key thing – that small-town feel, where you are a part of what is happening. I want to make a difference.”

Born and raised in Shelton, Welander has lived in Mason County most of her life. She attended South Puget Sound Community College where she received her associate’s degree in Accounting, then earned a graduate degree from Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS), in partnership with the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Upon graduating, she moved back to Mason County and married her husband of 38 years, Don Welander. They have two grown sons and one granddaughter who also reside in Mason County.

Welander also owns her own small business, Fun Stuff Crafts. A favorite hobby turned part-time business in 2017, the business includes a blog and YouTube channel that teaches crafting and how to make creative handmade items to people across the globe.

“This is a passion of mine, showing people how to use their imagination and creativity to craft personal works of art,” she said. “My primary goal is to contribute my experience from the corporate world and lend my creative skills to help make the Foundation successful for the benefit of our community through events such as Fantasy Forest and the Golf Tournament, and ongoing efforts to raise funds that benefit Mason Health.”

In her spare time, Welander also enjoys spending time with family, camping, and traveling.

As a new MGHF Board member, Welander will serve a four-year term and joins current board officers President Eileen Bailey, co-owner of EI. Kristyn & Son Construction, Inc., Treasurer Tom Strong, Skokomish Tribe Chief Executive Officer, and members, Billy Thomas, Director of Marketing for Peninsula Credit Union, Beth Gregg, MGHF Endowment & Forever Fund Chair, Stephanie Fyfe, owner of Steph’s Espresso, Whitney Jones, Executive Director of the South Puget Sound Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA), Karen Schade, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, Teresa Stevens, Medical Records Director at Fir Lane Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Jaimie Hans, Executive Director of Maple Glen Senior Community. Jennifer Capps, Chief Development & Communication Officer at Mason Health, serves as Executive Director of MGH Foundation.

Mason General Hospital Foundation furthers the mission of Public Hospital District No.1 by enhancing the quality of health care enjoyed by patients of Mason County. MGHF provides financial support to Mason Health.