Amanda Ashton
Account Manager | GCI
Amanda was born and raised in Alaska. She strives to make a difference in our community through her volunteer efforts with GWeN (GCI Women's Network), American Heart Association, Membership Chair on the Executive Board for Anchorage Chamber Young Professionals Group, and American Cancer Society Associate Board of Ambassadors. Through her work as a Commercial Account Manager at GCI, she has built relationships with businesses of all sizes throughout Alaska. As an Anchorage Chamber of Commerce member, she enjoys getting involved by attending events and programs that support local businesses and expands her knowledge of our community. As a travel enthusiast, she and her three teenagers have explored all the US and are looking forward to their next country, Europe. She enjoys attending fundraising events, festivals, concerts, and comedy shows. Summer hobbies include kayaking, paddleboarding, biking, barbeques, and bonfires in the backyard. An avid hockey mom (Go Team Alaska!) and dog lover, she has an American Bully named Baylee who she refers to as "Beluga."
Colleen Andrews
Social Connections Coordinator | Mat-Su Health Foundation
Colleen Andrews is Deg Hit'an Athabascan, with family roots in McGrath and Holy Cross. She has lived in Mat-Su Valley for over a decade. A mother of four, including two active hockey players, she balances work and family life with a passion for the outdoors. When they aren’t in the Mat-Su ice rinks they will be found on the rivers and oceans of Southcentral in summer months. She and her kids love any opportunity to cast a line and harvest berries. In the fall, she returns to her family's hunting grounds, continuing a cherished subsistence tradition. Her professional experience includes five years as the Social Connections Coordinator for R.O.C.K. Mat-Su and Mat-Su Health Foundation, followed by her current role as Project Coordinator. Shaped by a close-knit community with a culture that cares about children's well-being and fosters a strong support network, she is dedicated to fostering a more supportive environment for families within the Mat-Su.
Corrine Cross
Programs Manager | AWAIC - Abused Women's Aid in Crisis
Corrine Cross, a Meriden, CT native who moved to Anchorage in 2011, holds a Practical Nursing degree and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Human Services. Since 2019, she worked for AWAIC and in 2021, has assumed the role of programs manager, overseeing five grant-funded programs. Corrine is a dynamic speaker who offers presentations and training on Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. She is also establishing a non-profit organization focused on uplifting the Black/Afro-American community through violence prevention. The organization aims to offer customized services including counseling, education, advocacy, and culturally specific programming, to address the community's needs and positively impact their lives. Corrine, a mother of three, is dedicated to making the future a better place for our youth. Corrine believes that learning is a continuous process and that one must constantly seek opportunities to listen, learn, and grow to become a great leader, inspiring others to do the same.
David Bell
Mechanical Engineering Group Manager | CRW Engineering
David arrived in Anchorage in 2022 after four years of fulltime adventure, travelling with his wife and three kids. They’ve happily settled into Alaska, exploring its cultures and natural wonders, which continue to delight and awe them. Boating, skiing, and biking are some of David’s favorite pastimes when he’s not working professionally as an engineer, with a focus on designing more sustainable buildings. Working occasionally as a sailing instructor allows David to share his passion for the ocean and is a great excuse to briefly get someplace warm each winter.
Elizabeth Dickinson
Senior Grant Development Manager | Catholic Social Services
Working as the Senior Director for Grant Strategy at Catholic Social Services, Elizabeth is able to make a positive impact on the community through her dedication to serve, proactive leadership, humility and humor. She can be found wrangling her 2 children and training for her next half-marathon.
Elizabeth Pantaleone
School Based Mental Health Clinician | VOA Alaska
Elizabeth Pantaleone was raised in Anchorage/Seward area and has always considered Alaska home. She has received an M.S in Clinical Psychology from UAA, and currently works at VOA Alaska as a school-based mental health clinician. She is dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of students, staff, families and community members at William Tyson Elementary school. She wants to develop leaderships skills to better serve her community through advocacy for change. Her passions range from early childhood mental health to meeting community needs through work with Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage. She currently lives in Anchorage with her husband and two children, who she enjoys going on adventures with.
Jordan Finney
Brownfields Coordinator | Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council
Jordan Finney, a Dena’ina Athabascan from Bristol Bay, holds an Environmental Science Degree from the University of Hawaii. She works as the Brownfields Coordinator at the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council. Jordan’s passion for Environmental Science began in Bristol Bay, where she was concerned about the environmental impacts from the Pebble Mine. She enjoys hiking, watching her favorite shows, and spending time with her pets.
Karden Kelly
Special Agent | US Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General
Karden has spent over 20 years dedicated to fighting fraud, waste, and abuse of government funds with the US Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General. She is a certified fraud examiner and specializes in criminal fraud and theft investigations involving tribes and tribal organizations. In addition to leading investigations, Karden provides fraud trainings to empower tribes to protect their programs here in Alaska and throughout the Western United States. She is passionate about outreach, which she considers an essential part of public service, and enjoys the collaborative environment in Alaska. She also loves her unofficial role as tour guide, as she and her family proudly show visitors why they chose to call Anchorage home.
Kendalyn Mckisick
Director of Marketing & Communications | Camp Fire Alaska
Kendalyn, originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, has been living in Alaska since 2015. She moved to Fairbanks to pursue an MFA in Poetry at University of Alaska Fairbanks. In 2017, she moved to Anchorage to serve in AmeriCorps and has been there ever since. Currently, she serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Camp Fire Alaska. With a passion for education, food justice, and writing, she spends much of her time outside of work gardening, volunteering, reading, and organizing. She lives with her partner, two dogs, and small flock of chickens in East Anchorage.
Lindsey Hickey
Assistant Administrative Director, Clinical Psychologist | Norton Sound Health Corporation
Dr. Lindsey Hickey is a licensed clinical psychologist from Southern California who has been in Alaska since 2017. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University’s California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, California where her emphasis focused on working with children and families. Before moving to Alaska she worked as an active duty Navy psychologist stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. She currently works at Norton Sound Health Corporation, Behavioral Health Services where she had been a clinician and clinical supervisor working in Nome and several outlying villages for several years before transitioning to administration. Currently Dr. Hickey is the Assistant Administrative Director of Behavioral Health services where she splits her time overseeing clinical and administrative work. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her two dogs and friends, keeping active, and involving herself in the community.
Martha Anelon
Shareholder Development Training Manager | Bristol Bay Native Corporation
Martha Anelon is from Iliamna, but lives in Anchorage. She has 3 daughters, and 2 grandkids. She loves to hunt, fish, and gather. She loves being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends. She works for Bristol Bay Native Corporation as the Shareholder Development Training Manager.
Marvin Johnson
ANSEP Director | University of Alaska Anchorage
Dr. Marvin E. Johnson is an accomplished director and educator with expertise in STEM and mathematics education who is committed to fostering educational innovation initiatives to expose and serve students in underrepresented groups. His current role is Director of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Born and raised in South Carolina, Marvin developed a passion for science and engineering from a young age, inspired by a chemistry set found at a neighborhood yard sale.
Marvin earned a Bachelor and Master of Science in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina and Missouri University of Science and Technology, respectively. Later in his career, he obtained his doctorate in education from Texas Southern University.
His career spans from honorably serving in the U.S. Army as a member of the bomb squad, 20 years as a chemical engineer and in education at all levels.
Mere Suaava
Information Management | Repsol
Mere Suaava, is originally from American Samoa. Her family moved to Hawaii at a very young age where she enjoyed her childhood and elementary years. Happily married with two beautiful daughters and a pack of five pitbulls. She is a resident of Palmer, loves interior décor, staging and working on organizational projects. She volunteers for her church.
As a fulltime employee in the Oil and Gas industry with Repsol in Anchorage; she contributes to her community not only in her professional role but also through volunteering in her church and hopes to be able to help coordinate and bring more awareness for local youth to get involved in sports, extra-curricular activities that helps them excel in their education, academic and social development.
Mere is very passionate about embodying a balanced life, making family a priority, second to her career, while helping in her community and church with enthusiasm and dedication.
Michael Thomas
Superintendent of Recruiting and Retention | Alaska Air National Guard
Michael has called Anchorage, Alaska, home for the past six years, after moving around previously. He resides there with his wife, Candice, and their three dogs. Michael enjoys the Alaskan outdoors, playing softball, and spending time with his family. He serves in the Alaska Air National Guard, balancing his military duties with his personal life. Having found a place to settle down, Michael and his wife plan to make Alaska their permanent home.
Paul Paasaa McDonogh
Director of Education | Chugachmiut
Paul Paasaa McDonogh is a tribally enrolled member of the Sugpiaq Native Village of Perryville, and he is an Indigenous education advocate and lifelong teacher. Paul is currently developing the inaugural Tribal education program for the Chugachmiut tribal consortium and has formerly served in the Anchorage School District as a high school physics teacher. Paul also maintains connections with his regional roots in southwest Alaska as a director for the Bristol Bay Foundation and is studying for a PhD in Education for Social Justice at San Diego University. Paul, his wife Kayla, and their four children enjoy camping and spending time with their family in southcentral Alaska.
Payton Augafa
Juvenile Justice Counselor | Mclaughlin Youth Center
Born on the north shore of Oahu, Payton moved to Anchorage as a child before returning to Samoa. He returned to Anchorage at the age of 16 and has resided here since. He credits his mother for his dedication to serving his community stating that “she role modeled for her children how kindness was always the best way to lead, she was always giving." It has a major impact on his desires to serve his community.
Peri Qancuk Sanders
Coordinator, Caleb Scholars Program | Kawerak Inc
Peri Qancuk Sanders (she/her) is Yup’ik from Mamterilleq (Bethel) with maternal ties to Negeqiq (St. Mary’s). She was dually raised on the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. She currently lives in Anchorage on Dena’ina Ełnena.
Peri recently received her Master of Arts degree in Indigenous Studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and she is gearing up to begin her PhD in Indigenous studies with a focus on Indigenous Leadership this fall.
She comes to us with a diverse background in human services and is deeply committed to fostering safe and productive spaces for Indigenous youth, young adults, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. She thrives in professional settings where she can facilitate and participate in work grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing.
Tuan Graziano
Donor Relations Manager | ACLU of Alaska
Tuan is a recent graduate from the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) where he served in UAA’s student government in various positions, including student body president, and as the Secretary-General of the Model United Nations of Alaska. He interned for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues where he began a lifelong devotion to international affairs and cultures. In his spare time, Tuan has found great passion volunteering in his community in several areas while also serving on the board of directors for different Alaskan organizations. Tuan has attended and presented at various conferences across the country and internationally, including in Ireland and Sweden, and was recently selected to be part of Arctic Encounter’s first cohort of Northern Vision Fellows. His efforts have led him to receive three Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, various UAA awards, and the honor of being selected as his class's commencement speaker.
Victoria "Tory" Shanklin
Executive Director | Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Victoria (Tory) Shanklin was appointed as Executive Director of the Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB) in August of 2022. With nearly two decades of experience in victims’ services, she brings her background in both the public and private sectors to her role. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the nonprofit Victims for Justice (VFJ), where she advocated for more victim-centered practices statewide. Ms. Shanklin was born and raised in Southcentral Alaska, where she continues to live and work today. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Oregon and Executive Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Alaska Children's Alliance, the USAO Murdered Indigenous People workgroup.
