Alaska Humanities Staff

Shoshi has been working at the Alaska Humanities Forum since 2021. As Director of Grants and Stories Programs, she works on AKHF's grantmaking, FORUM Magazine and Films, and the FORUM Storytelling Fellowship. Shoshi grew up in northeast Ohio; since 2016, she has lived with her husband in Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage. Some of Shoshi’s happiest moments are when she’s making things–working on a painting, building a shed, or finding her way through a sewing project.

With a background in operations, business analysis, and systems improvement, Ana has spent more than a decade helping organizations strengthen workflows, streamline processes, and support mission-focused teams. Ana’s experience spans the health and wellness field, real estate, IT, and finance, where she has led initiatives centered on efficiency, data-informed planning, and thoughtful organizational change. Ana has lived in Alaska for over twenty years and feels deeply connected to the community she calls home. When she’s not working, she enjoys time with her husband, children, and their rescue dog, as well as being outdoors, running, hiking, and exploring new places whenever she can.

As Vice President of Programs and Partnerships, Polly oversees our programs that cultivate compassionate leaders, connect people across difference, amplify important stories, and support resilient cultures. She leads the Forum’s work building and sustaining long-term partnerships with organizations, Tribes, foundations and networks that strengthen our communities. Polly has twenty-five years of experience working throughout Alaska as an outdoor educator, youth program director, foundation program officer, and nonprofit executive director. She’s been a part of many innovative and fun efforts, including the founding of a statewide youth organizing program, launch of a flat-track roller derby league, and creation of a locally-loved wine bistro. Polly is a fan of staff and organizational development, and is excited to bring these passions to work with the talented team at the Forum. She is proud to live and raise her family on Dena’ina lands in Anchorage. When not doing Forum things, she’s learning fashion trends from her fifteen year old daughter, searching for a bottle of sriracha, mountain biking, or writing poetry.

Colton Chythlook is a Community Engagement Coordinator as a part of the C3 Programs, he works with the Northwest Arctic Borough School District out of Qikiqtaġruk (Kotzebue) to assist with the development of teachers coming into the region, primarily through integration with their communities. He was born in Bellingham, WA before his family moved back to Alaska at a young age to a house in Anchorage and has been living in town since. His family comes from Aleknagik and has heavy involvement in both the village corporation and regional corporation, making regular trips in the summer to participate or assist with commercial and subsistence fishing. Colton is currently studying Alaska Native Governance at Alaska Pacific University with aspirations of working in Alaska Native policy. He enjoys card games of all varieties (mostly collectable), tabletop RPGs, and collecting obscure musical instruments.

Gabbie Cruz is the Cross-Cultural Competence (C3) Program Manager at the Alaska Humanities Forum. Her deep appreciation for culture and passion for equity in education led her to teach in the Lake and Peninsula School District. During her time there, she developed a deeper understanding of teaching students as holistic beings, connecting with the community, and creating space for others. While teaching, she earned her Master’s in Teaching and Learning with a focus on culturally responsive education at UAA. Now, she helps teachers in rural Alaska feel more connected to their communities and students by guiding them through cultural experiences, mentorship, and deep conversations. Through these experiences, she supports educators in creating more inclusive and culturally sustaining classrooms. Inspired by her parents’ adventurous move from the Philippines to New Jersey, Gabbie moved to Alaska in 2019 and is thrilled to be based in Anchorage on Dena’ina land. Outside of work, Gabbie enjoys exploring the great outdoors, arts, music, poetry, and berry picking.

Amanda has worked in a variety of positions in AKHF, and it was her excitement about sharing stories of staff, participants and partners that led her to her current role overseeing development and communications. She was born and raised in Anchorage and chose to move home in 2017. She has two young kids and spends a lot of energy trying to ground them in this place and getting them to brush their own teeth. She's an introvert who’s happiest connecting people and ideas, but who has occasional bursts of large-crowd energy. Or as a friend once described her, a combination of wool and glitter.

Alice joined the Forum in January 2025, where she works to build and sustain meaningful relationships with donors and community members by creating thoughtful, accessible communications and opportunities for connection. She’s energized by the process of meeting people where they are — whether through written materials, meetings, or outreach — and enjoys researching how groups connect so those relationships can grow in genuine and lasting ways. With a background in communications since 2015, Alice brings a deep belief in the power of communication to spark real connection and link people to tools and resources that can have a positive impact. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she moved to Alaska in 2015 after spending summers during college kayak guiding in Homer and falling in love with the people and the landscape. Now proudly calling Alaska home, Alice spends time outside of work with family and friends — ideally somewhere outdoors and, whenever possible, out on the water kayaking.

A third generation Alaskan born and raised on Dena'ina land, Ryan (he/him) earned his accounting degrees at the Foster School of Business in Seattle. He is a business professional who has spent the last decade working in corporate finance, public accounting, and operations management. After several years as an auditor traveling the state, Ryan ran operations at the largest automotive recycling facility in Alaska where his mission was to ensure every team member had the support necessary to thrive. At the Forum, Ryan serves as a member of the strategic leadership team and provides oversight of Forum operations including strategic planning, systems and policy development, oversight of financial processes, HR, risk management, internal control, contract negotiation, IT, federal compliance, and office management. Outside of work, Ryan loves the great outdoors and spending time with his wife Jessica as they introduce and share this great state with their two young children, Willow and Sterling. He can often be caught working on something mechanical or daydreaming about his next expedition style trip across remote Alaska.

Originally from Utqiaġvik, Kameron Perez-Verdia has more than 30 years of Alaska nonprofit leadership experience. In addition to his nonprofit work, Kameron has served on the Anchorage Assembly since 2019 and previously spent four years on the Anchorage School Board. His commitment to community governance and strategic leadership extends to his roles in shaping policy and strengthening communities. Kameron is passionate about exploring Alaska's outdoors with his wife and two daughters.

At the Alaska Humanities Forum, Eiden works with youth as they explore their values and passions while considering the impact they would like to have on their communities after graduating high school. Eiden connects students with engaged community members and youth-serving organizations to support students as they plan for their futures. Eiden’s previous experience as an ELL (English Language Learner) Teacher and Academic Advisor have led him to the work that he does at the Humanities Forum. Growing up in a close-knit family in Anchorage, Alaska, Eiden’s sense of home has always been based in connection to people. Eiden lives in Northstar/Spenard with his spouse, dog, cat and three chickens; outside of his work at the Alaska Humanities Forum, Eiden is a professional musician, avid hiker, and aspiring urban gardener.

Julian grew up in North Carolina. He made his way to Alaska for the first time in 2021, and permanently in 2023. He worked as an outdoor educator and guide before transitioning to community-minded roles in advocacy and communications. Julian earned his BA at Washington and Lee University in English and Politics, where he first learned the power of well-crafted narratives to connect communities and inspire individuals. He's since practiced these skills as a glacier guide, a teaching apprentice, an environmental organizer, and a communications professional. As the Story Works Program Coordinator, Julian is able to use the skills that he's gained working with high schoolers both in the classroom and on multi-week backcountry expeditions. Outside of work, Julian likes to write stories, play music with his friends, bake bread, backcountry ski, and fish.

Julie Rowland serves as the Director of Cross-Cultural Programs at the Forum, and works closely with educators new(ish) to rural Alaska to support them in developing culturally responsive teaching practices and bringing their whole selves into their classrooms. She is energized and awed by the deep, authentic conversations she has with those teachers and all the community partners she works alongside, and loves to find creative ways to ignite curiosity in learning about oneself and others. She is originally from New England, and first moved to Alaska as a Bethel-based Jesuit volunteer before moving to Anchorage 9 years ago. When not at work, Julie can be found traipsing all around the land with her kiddos, dog, and husband, admiring (and eating!) many of the plants and fungi that surround us.

Chuck was raised by the Kuskokwim River in Bethel and now calls Anchorage home. He is passionate about how our stories connect and build empowered communities and is lucky to get to do this as the Director of Leadership Programs. Chuck works in both professional and youth development with Leadership Anchorage, Thrive Together, and Story Works Alaska. Chuck’s experiences have led him to this work. He grew up in Bethel, where he graduated from Ayaprun Elitnaurvik (Yup’ik Immersion) & Bethel Regional High School. He went to Pomona College in Los Angeles and then moved back to Bethel, where he worked as a College and Career Guide at his old high school and served on the City Council. His journey then took him to the East Coast, where he earned a Masters in Public Policy at Harvard University. While there, he got involved in teaching Storytelling as a Leadership Practice and Adaptive Leadership and learned a great deal about building spaces where people can pause, share stories, and learn to more effectively impact their communities. He has worked at AKHF since moving home to Alaska in 2019 and spends most of his free time giggling with his toddler, wife, and two dogs.

Kari grew up in Kenai. Her parents are from Chickaloon and Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Since the early 1990s, she has dedicated her career to Alaska Native education, saying: "My work is rooted in the principles of tribal educational sovereignty—a mandate to think independently and prioritize the holistic wellbeing of our children. Guided by the resilience and determination of our Elders, I continue to carry these teachings forward to ensure a self-determined future for the next generation." Outside of work, Kari is devoted to her family and cultural traditions, and finds great joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren, living a life guided by the seasons.

Taylor Strelevitz thrives in conversations about how the world works and why we do what we do. As Director of Conversation Programs at the Alaska Humanities Forum, they are an expert facilitator of hard conversations, helping people stay in relationship through disagreement and build understanding across differences. Taylor practices participatory leadership through skills such as conflict facilitation and depolarizing dialogue, creating spaces where people can come together to engage today’s most urgent and pressing topics. Originally from Connecticut, Taylor moved to Anchorage in 2019. With a Master’s in Social and Cultural Pedagogy focused on Indigenous education from Arizona State University, they bring people with different experiences into meaningful conversation about change. Outside of work, they enjoy tinkering with pasta recipes and doing their best to keep plants alive.

Chenita Sorensen (Yup’ik name is Mup’aq) is originally from Dillingham and is an experienced professional with a background in workforce development, youth programs, and community engagement. Growing up in rural Alaska, she has lived experience and a deep understanding of the strengths and challenges Alaskan communities face. Chenita graduated from Alaska Pacific University with her Bachelor’s degree in Alaska Native Governance and a minor in Business Administration. Her career has focused on supporting community and youth, building cultural programs, and improving systems that empower people to succeed. Chenita combines practical experience with empathy and strategic thinking to make a positive impact across education and community initiatives. She is passionate about creating opportunities and fostering growth for individuals in rural and urban Alaska. She enjoys subsisting off the land, having meaningful conversations, doing Yuraq (Native dance) and learning her language.