Keynote Speaker

Gloria O'Neill (LA1)

We are delighted that our keynote speaker this year is Gloria O'Neill, President and CEO at Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) and a graduate of the first-ever Leadership Anchorage cohort! Gloria also won the Leadership Anchorage Alumni Award in 2021.

A visionary leader transforming Native communities, Gloria has served as President and CEO of CITC since 1998. Under her leadership, CITC has evolved into one of the nation's most respected Indigenous social service organizations, serving more than 10,000 people annually through over 50 essential programs.

Known for her strategic vision, Gloria has expanded CITC's impact through key initiatives including the Alaska Native Justice Center, the Clare Swan Early Learning Center with Yup'ik language immersion, and the Get Out the Native Vote program. Her commitment to measurable outcomes has established CITC as a national model for effective service delivery in Native communities.

Gloria's entrepreneurial leadership created CITC Enterprises Inc. (CEI), developing innovative approaches to sustainability. Under her guidance, CEI founded Upper One Games, releasing the internationally acclaimed "Never Alone (Kisima Inŋitchuŋa)" in 2014—the first Indigenous video game company, and formed Tuyan, LLC with Ninilchik Traditional Council in 2020 to further diversify CITC's business portfolio. As President and CEO of CEI, she also serves as Executive Chair of E-Line Ventures, LLC.

Her leadership extends beyond CITC: Gloria served on the University of Alaska Board of Regents (2012-2020) and is currently Chair of the National Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children. She serves as a director for the Alaska Native Justice Center, chairs the Nudlaghi Leadership Institute board, and is also a Fellow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Children and Family Fellowship Program.

Gloria holds an MBA from Alaska Pacific University. Originally from Soldotna, she is of Yup'ik, Sámi, and Irish descent.