Celebrating Legacy & Embracing the Future: Chief Financial Officer Changing of the Guard

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we congratulate Pam Daugherty, Chief Financial Officer and matriarch of Keystone Symposia, on her retirement after more than three decades of service to the organization. Pam’s journey with Keystone began in 1991 when the organization first moved to Colorado. Starting out as an accountant, she quickly rose up the ranks to Director of Finance and eventually Chief Financial Officer – a role in which she has shaped the very foundation of our success.

Over 34 years, Pam has witnessed and steered remarkable transformation as the organization grew from hosting a handful of local meetings in the early 1990s to orchestrating over 50 conferences annually across the globe today. Her leadership has been pivotal in navigating growth, innovation and change. Through every triumph and challenge, Pam’s calm resolve, historical insight and unwavering care for both the organization and its people have been our anchor.

To her colleagues, Pam is far more than a CFO – she is the heart of Keystone Symposia. Always safeguarding the future of the organization while nurturing the well-being of every individual, she embodies the spirit of community and excellence that defines us. As we bid farewell, we celebrate not only her professional achievements but the profound impact she has had on all of us. Pam will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.

Pam has been the backbone of Keystone Symposia and a foundation that has helped Keystone Symposia as a nascent organization to where we are now. Her leadership in finance and her unwavering support for our mission helped guide us through both challenges and triumphs. As she steps into retirement, we honor not just her years of service, but the heart and spirit she has brought to every decision, every team, and every milestone."

 – President & CEO Dr. Jamie Baumgartner

Below she shares with us some of her most memorable and meaningful moments that shaped her career at Keystone Symposia:

I have had a very rewarding career during my tenure. The organization has been like a second family to me. I have been impressed with the devotion of the staff and the leadership, including the Board of Directors.

During our transition from the Keystone Center, Jim Bennett led us through a time of uncertainty. Our finances were not in good shape, and his compassionate and calm demeanor helped us through it. His kindness made a huge impression on me on the kind of person I should strive to be. He truly cared about the staff. Although we experienced a large departure of employees, those of us who stayed rallied together and got the organization back on track, leading to great success moving forward.

I am very proud to have served this organization for 34 years. I have learned and grown professionally. I have been blessed to work for an organization with an inspiring mission and a dedicated staff, many of whom have become my long-time friends.

My departing words to all are: Thank you for the memories and the opportunity to serve. I know the organization will continue to serve the scientific community for years to come.”

– Pam Daugherty, Outgoing CFO

Pam and her husband Tom look forward to their retirement together

Voices of Gratitude: Staff Reflections on Pam’s Legacy & a Look Back Over the Years

I think all of us would agree that Pam gave so much to this organization beyond her role as Chief Financial Officer. She was always willing to help wherever and whenever needed, and nothing was ever beneath her, a rare and admirable quality, especially at her level. Her depth of expertise and knowledge about the history of the organization are truly irreplaceable. Pam’s friendship, presence, kindness and dedication will be deeply missed. 

– Caroline Brendel, Executive Assistant (25 years with Keystone Symposia)

Pam (bottom right) and Caroline (middle row center in white shirt and sunglasses) at a conference in Santa Fe

It has been such a pleasure to work with Pam over my 18 years at Keystone Symposia.  Not only is she very professional and great at her job (especially proven when the pandemic hit!), she is so kind-hearted and has a great laugh. She has served as so much more than just the CFO.  She has been the office manager, HR, a party planner, and a friend. Pam cares deeply about the staff at Keystone Symposia and will be truly missed.”

– Jenny Hindorff, Program Development Manager (18 years with Keystone Symposia)

Pam shows off her wrangling skills at a staff retreat, which later came in handy as she wrangled KS finances during the complexities of the pandemic

I’ve worked with Pam for 20 years now and the thought of her NOT being a part of this organization just feels inconceivable! With her incredible warmth and kindness, you could talk to her about anything and everything. Not to mention her unbelievable depth of her knowledge about this organization. If I had a question... I went to Pam. Feeling discouraged? Pam was the answer. Always. She will be missed in a way that is impossible to put into words. I’m so thrilled she gets to move into this next chapter of her life and enjoy her golden years – she absolutely deserves it! The office won’t be the same without her. 

– Lindsey Heilmann, Senior Conference Coordinator (20 years with Keystone Symposia)

Pam (front and center) brings the vibes with Lindsey Heilmann (red polka dot jumper)

See more photos over the years in the tribute below

Introducing Keystone Symposia's New CFO Amy Gnojek

While our new CFO has big shoes to fill, her depth of experience, proven record of leadership, and strategic vision promise to propel Keystone Symposia toward great innovation and impact.

Amy Gnojek brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Her journey began at the Keystone Center and Keystone Science School, evolved through leadership roles in Emergency Services across Breckenridge and Eagle County, and culminated in running her own successful financial consultancy. This diverse background has equipped Amy with the strategic insight and adaptability to guide Keystone Symposia through a rapidly changing landscape.

But Amy offers more than expertise – she brings vision. Throughout our rigorous selection process, Amy demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to financial stewardship, emphasizing innovation, transparency and collaboration – vital in a time of funding volatility in life sciences. Her leadership style inspires confidence and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that our organization remains agile and impactful in advancing global scientific dialogue. Her team-oriented approach and open communication style make her an exceptional fit for our organization.

Amy Gnojek was selected as Keystone Symposia’s new CFO because she brings not only financial acumen but also a proven history of leadership under pressure, which are exactly the qualities we needed in a successor to Pam. Her deep experience as a CPA and strategic thinker gives us confidence that she will strengthen our fiscal foundation and enable us to invest boldly in scientific discovery and community impact.

With Amy at the helm of finance, I believe Keystone is more resilient, more purposeful, and better positioned than ever to fulfill its mission."

– President & CEO Dr. Jamie Baumgartner

As we look ahead to new opportunities and challenges, Amy’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our foundation and unlocking new possibilities for growth and influence. Below Amy tells us about herself and how she aims to position the organization for success moving forward.

Why did you choose to join Keystone Symposia?

I was drawn to Keystone Symposia because of its unique mission at the intersection of science and collaboration. The organization's commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue among researchers and accelerating scientific discovery really resonated with me. I've always believed that strong financial stewardship should serve a larger purpose, and here, that purpose is supporting groundbreaking scientific work that can improve human health. The opportunity to contribute to an organization with such clear impact – and to work alongside a team deeply committed to that mission – made joining Keystone Symposia an easy decision.

What do you hope to bring to the organization and the CFO role?

I hope to bring both strategic foresight and operational excellence to the CFO role. My background in nonprofit financial management has taught me the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with mission-driven investment.

I want to ensure that our financial infrastructure is robust, transparent, and positioned to support Keystone's ambitious goals – whether that's expanding our scholarly programs, increasing scholarship opportunities, or strengthening our global reach. I also believe in collaborative leadership, and I look forward to working closely with our staff, board, and partners to make sound financial decisions that enable the organization to thrive.

Do you have any plans, visions, or goals for the finances of the organization moving forward?

My immediate focus is on ensuring we have strong financial systems and processes that provide clarity and accountability. Looking ahead, I'm excited to explore opportunities for long-term sustainability – whether through diversified funding sources, strategic investments, or enhanced financial planning that allows us to weather uncertainties while pursuing growth. I also want to ensure our financial practices align with best practices in nonprofit governance and stewardship, so that our stakeholders can have complete confidence in how we manage resources in service of our mission.

Anything else people should know?

I'm deeply honored to step into this role and to follow in Pam's footsteps. Her long-standing dedication to Keystone Symposia has set a strong foundation, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to build on that legacy. I'm also excited to get to know more members of the Keystone community – our staff, board members, conference participants, and partners.

This organization does remarkable work, and I'm thrilled to contribute to its continued success.

A Journey Through Pam's 34 Years with Keystone

The Early Days

Pam (left) with her accounting team

Pam and her daughter Abby at KS Holiday Party in 2001

Pam (bottom left), and the small but mighty KS staff on the 30th KS Anniversary (2001)

Pam (bottom row, right) and the KS staff at the Glenwood Springs Retreat in 2003

Boogying Up the Ladder

Pam (far right) and KS staff 

Pam (right) & Mary Jo Roal (former Director of Human Resources) celebrating KS origins at the 40th Anniversary Party (2012)

Pam (bottom row, 3rd from left... can't miss her with that absolutely fabulous shirt!) and the growing staff at the 40th Anniversary Party in 2012

The Golden Years

Pam (bottom row in the indigo shirt) and staff celebrating Heidi Daetwyler's retirement (former Director of Meeting Management) in 2022

Pam and the ladies leadership team in 2022 (From Left- Dr. Thale Jarvis (former CSO), Pam Daugherty (CFO), Dr. Debbie Johnson (former CEO), Heidi Daetwyler (former Director of Meeting Management) )

Pam (center) at her retirement party in December 2025 with daughter Abby (left) and Mary Jo Roal (former Director of Human Resources)

Return to the December 2025 Keypoint Newsletter