Patti Clay
Pediatrician | LaTouche Pediatrics
Patti Clay works as a pediatrician and has trained and worked in various Alaskan communities and medical settings for over 10 years. She has worked in multiple resource scarce settings where the challenge of delivering quality medical care requires creativity and persistence. Outside of clinic, she serves on committees and boards addressing vaccine access in Alaska, school-based health, and advocacy for children in foster care. She hopes to expand her involvement in health advocacy over the next few years, particularly at community and state levels.
Recently she has become more involved with the Seattle Children’s Alaska Track pediatric residency and currently serves as a site director. In clinic she mentors pediatric residents and WWAMI medical students and appreciates how motivated and curious learners push her, and her colleagues, to continue learning.
Outside of clinic and volunteer obligations, she spends time outdoors with her family camping, hiking, traveling, and wandering the neighborhood. On her own she enjoys running, reading, summiting peaks, and baking cakes.
Wayne Cook
Operations Manager for Adult Outpatient Services | Southcentral Foundation
Wayne was born and raised in Alaska. He enjoys the typical Alaskan things to do, fishing, camping, hiking, riding motorcycles, snow machining, and playing with the dogs (two malamutes, and one malamute/husky mix.) He loves to travel and tries to plan at least one adventure out of state each year.
Finding his calling working at the Sullivan Arena when it was the homeless shelter during Covid, he discovered he enjoyed and was good at working with the unhoused population of Alaska. Currently working for South Central Foundation in the Behavioral Services Division, he is wanting to improve his leadership skills and continue working and bettering himself in the behavioral health field.
Chris Fronapfel
Recruiting and Retention Senior Enlisted Leader | Alaska Air National Guard
A native of Golden, Colorado, Chris Fronapfel joined the U.S. Air Force after three years of college in 2008. Being called by a sense of duty and the desire to serve something higher than himself, he began a lifetime public service commitment that would last decades to follow. The military took him to Alaska in 2011, and wild landscape and tight-knit community left a lasting impression. Having served multiple assignments throughout the globe, Chris finally made Alaska home in 2018 with his wife, Hannah, and son. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors, supporting local events, and investing in the community that has given them so much.
In 2021, Chris converted from active duty to the Alaska Air National Guard, where he is now the Senior Enlisted Leader of Recruiting and Retention. In this role, he supervises strategic initiatives to recruit, develop, and retain the Guard's best and brightest. His work centers on building strong relationships across the state, mentoring the next generation of Airmen, and aligning the Guard’s mission with the unique needs of Alaska’s diverse population.
Joanie Fullwood
Scholarship & Grants Program Manager | Bristol Bay Foundation
Joanie Fullwood is Yup’ik and Sugpiaq from the Bristol Bay region and currently resides in Anchorage with her husband and son. She serves as the Scholarship and Grants Program Manager at Bristol Bay Foundation (BBF), where she leads initiatives that support student achievement and strengthen communities across the region.
In her role, Joanie manages BBF’s Higher Education, Vocational, and Ikayurgna Emergency Aid programs, working closely with students to remove financial barriers and ensure they have access to the resources they need to succeed. She also oversees cultural heritage initiatives, including the Piniq Grant and Native Place Names Grant, both of which focus on cultural reclamation, Indigenous identity, and community wellness.
With over a decade of experience in banking and insurance, Joanie brings a strong foundation in financial literacy to her work. She creates tools and outreach that help students build essential money management skills. She also coordinates access to mental health and wellness support through BBF’s partnership with Uwill, promoting student well-being beyond academics.
Joanie is deeply committed to educational equity and culturally grounded support. When she’s not working, she enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Sam Garcia
CEO | Peer of Heart Consulting
Sam, a proud Kewa Indian from New Mexico. He was raised in Alaska, he finds joy in fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing with his wife and four children.
Sam’s successes were preceded by a path a fraught with adversity, including family trauma, substance use disorder, and incarceration. At a crucial moment, he found strength in his faith and chose to change his path. On April 15, 2016, he made the pivotal decision to confront his past and embrace recovery, maintaining sobriety since April 8, 2016.
In recovery, Sam thrived in the construction industry, where his leadership and empathy stood out. Beyond building projects, he became a mentor for colleagues facing similar struggles, which led him to transition into a career as a certified chemical dependency counselor and one of Alaska's first certified peer support specialists.
His work in Anchorage and Mat-Su involved providing services and training peers in recovery support. Managing a team that served 800 to 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, Sam's focus shifted to veterans' needs, inspired by his family's military background.
In 2023, Sam supported the launching of a specialized treatment program for military personnel and veterans in Wasilla. He is now focused on establishing a recovery campus in Anchorage. Grateful for his journey, Sam is committed to empowering others to reclaim their lives, fostering a community of hope and resilience.
Ingrid Goodyear
Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Coordinator for the Great Plains & Alaska | US Department of Justice
E. Ingrid Goodyear, cherishes four adult children with her husband Patrick. They currently make their home in Anchorage. Of both Aleut and Tlingit decent, Ms. Goodyear has been a community advocate, educator, tribal court judge and trainer. Specifically, she served the Qagan Tayagungin Tribe as a Tribal Judge and Chief Judge for 22 years. She was a Teacher and then Principal of Sand Point School for 23 years. Ms. Goodyear also served on the Tribal Advisory Council for the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada, Reno. She was a tribal appointed delegate on the Millennium Agreement team between the federally recognized Tribes of Alaska and the State of Alaska and volunteered with Reclaim Alaska. She also commercial fished for years and volunteered in culture camp teaching youth net mending. April 14, 2024, Ms. Goodyear was appointed as the Great Plains and Alaska Regional Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Coordinator at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, as one of five appointed nationwide to address MMIP through collaboration and building response capacity. Ms. Goodyear brings four years’ experience as the contract MMIP Coordinator to the new Federal position where she supported three Pilot Tribes in developing their MMIP Tribal Community Response Plans (TCRPs); assisted 37 Federally Recognized Tribes and urban based Tribal associations in developing the first Municipal/Regional MMIP TCRP.
Talyn Green
Owner | Honeybee Preschool
Talyn Green is a small business owner and teacher at Honeybee Preschool in South Anchorage, where she is dedicated to creating a warm, engaging environment for young learners. Originally from Texas, Talyn developed a love for long walks in the woods and cheering on her favorite Texas teams. As a proud military spouse, she has moved coast to coast with her husband and their two children before making Anchorage their home in 2019.
Through her small business, Talyn is passionate about supporting local families and building a strong sense of community. Growing up in a multicultural family Talyn learned to importance of inclusivity in the classroom and loves having cultural days with her students. She enjoys partnering with other small business owners and community groups to enrich children’s lives and strengthen connections within South Anchorage.
In her spare time, Talyn loves crocheting, reading romance novels, and spending time with her two cats.
Bedimar Jimenez
Public Health Specialist | State of Alaska Department of Health
Bedimar Jimenez is a dedicated public health professional, mother of two sons (ages 14 and 22), and a proud wife. Originally from Maracay, Venezuela, she brings more than a decade of experience in community health outreach, health education, and program coordination. She currently serves as the Outreach Manager for the Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Assistance Program, where she leads statewide efforts to improve access to preventive cancer screenings, especially in underserved communities.
Bedimar is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Education at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her academic journey is driven by a deep commitment to health equity, systems improvement, and culturally responsive care. She is passionate about applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and using evidence-based strategies to empower communities.
Bedimar enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking, which help her stay balanced and motivated. She views personal growth as an ongoing journey—always striving to “compete with herself” and do better each day. Her experiences as a mother, wife, and immigrant woman enrich her perspective and fuel her desire to lead with compassion and purpose.
Through her studies, Bedimar hopes to continue growing as a public health leader and contribute to meaningful, lasting change across Alaska.
Samantha Kopishke
Executive Secretary to the Adjutant General | State of Alaska, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Samantha Kopishke works within the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, where she supports the department’s mission with professionalism and a strong connection to the military community. Drawing from her experience growing up in a military family and now as a military spouse, she brings firsthand insight into the needs of service members and their families. Samantha lives in Eagle River, Alaska, with her husband, where she is actively engaged in the community volunteering with organizations like the Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, Bear Paw Festival and teaching ballet and yoga classes at local studios. She brings years of experience, grace, and a passion for the arts to her students, emphasizing confidence, discipline, and creative expression through movement. In 2023, Samantha earned the title of Miss Alaska Cherry Blossom, representing Alaska at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. This opportunity allowed her to serve as a cultural ambassador, promoting Alaska’s heritage and fostering connections with other communities. Whether in her professional role, on stage, or in the community, Samantha is known for her dedication, poise, and commitment to making a positive impact wherever she can and remains continued support for youth development, military quality of life, and volunteerism throughout her community.
Chami Krueger
Co-Director of Programming | Choosing Our Roots
Chami Krueger (she/they) grew up between two polarized households in Willow and Anchorage, until finally planting long-term roots on unceded Dena'ina and Ahtna land in the MatSu Valley. As the Co-Executive Director of Choosing Our Roots and a Clinical Associate with Thriving Within, Chami has dedicated their professional life to enriching the lives of marginalized communities that face some of life's most challenging experiences. They are a licensed Master's level Social Worker (LMSW) with the state of Alaska, hold an additional graduate certificate in trauma, and are certified in LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through Yale. A parent, therapist, introvert, and crafty human, Chami spends their free time playing cozy games on her couch, stabbing something millions of times to make something beautiful out of those complex emotions about the state of our world (her embroidery and needle felting are adorable), and engaging in acts of Queer Joy.
She wants to leave you with this reminder:
You are loved.
You are important.
You matter.
Shanice Lawton
Academic Advisor | UAA
Shanice Lawton is an educator and creative professional based in Anchorage, Alaska, originally from Virginia. She currently serves as an Academic Advisor at the University of Alaska Anchorage and brings over eight years of experience in the field of education. In addition to her work in academia, Shanice is an experienced stage manager who has worked with various theater companies across Alaska. She is also an emerging playwright, fiction writer, and avid reader. Shanice is actively involved in the literary and early childhood communities, serving on the boards of Best Beginnings and the Alaska Writers Guild.
Mac Lyons
Systems Integration Director | Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness
Born and raised in Alaska, Mac Lyons brings over a decade of dedication to building more equitable, culturally grounded systems for Alaskans. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2013 and has spent the past 11 years working in social services with organizations such as Alaska Behavioral Health, Alaska Native Justice Center, Southcentral Foundation, and now the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, where he serves as Systems Integration Director.
Mac is passionate about reshaping systems to better serve people; centering equity, honoring Alaska Native values, and ensuring services are accessible, and coordinated. His work is driven by a deep belief in human dignity and the power of systems that reflect and uplift the communities they serve.
Rami Paulsen
Shareholder Service Manager | Tatitlek Corporation
Rami Lynn Paulsen is the Shareholder Services Manager at The Tatitlek Corporation. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems from Wayland Baptist University. Outside of work, Rami enjoys spending time with her husband, Michael Paulsen, and their two dogs, Bonnie and Harvey.
Brian Pickett
CEO | Trajectory Youth Initiatives
Brian has been working with youth and families for about 14 years, and loves it. His journey has been quite a ride, starting from Virginia, moving to the Detroit area, then to Oregon for 12 years, and finally landing in Alaska, where he has poured all his energy into positive youth development.
Though he has tried his hand at a few different jobs, nothing ever clicked quite like working with youth. It's what gives him a real sense of purpose. For Brian, the best part of the job is getting messages and cards from the youth he’s worked with, thanking him for being a part of their lives. Those connections are what it's all about and why he is so passionate about this field.
That passion is exactly what sparked the idea for Trajectory Youth Initiatives. He wanted to create supportive and fun environments where every young person feels seen and valued. Brian is all about building spaces where youth can find their own sense of purpose, just as he found his in helping others.
Lana Ramos
Marketing and Community Relations Manager | Locally Grown Restaurants
Born and raised in Anchorage, Lana returned in 2008 after too much time in California.
She works as the Marketing and Community Relations Manager for Locally Grown Restaurants (parent company for Snow City Cafe, Spenard Roadhouse, South Restaurant + Coffeehouse, Crush Bistro, and Muse), which allows her to explore her passions of food and feeding people.
Lana worked in the box office at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts for many years, and before relocating to Anchorage, she served as the Education Coordinator and Youth Orchestra Manager for the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra.
She is the Vice Chair of the Visit Anchorage Board of Directors, and served on the Anchorage Concert Chorus Board of Directors, as well as the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board that reports to the Secretary of Commerce.
Lana is very involved in the arts community, and performs locally whenever she can, with such groups as: Anchorage Concert Chorus, Anchorage Opera, UAA Opera Ensemble, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, and Anchorage Festival of Music.
She lives near downtown with chickens, cats, her husband Eric, and daughter, Coco, and she loves being Lola to her two tiny grandsons who live nearby with their mom, Sophie, and dad, Quinn. You can find her cooking a big meal for family and friends or enjoying a late night walk on the coastal trail in search of the perfect summer sunset.
Felix Rivera
Assembly Member | Anchorage Assembly
Felix grew up in the sweltering heat of San Antonio, Texas and came up to Alaska to study at Alaska Pacific University in 2008, graduating in 2011 in liberal arts with a focus on journalism. Every other Tuesday or so, you can find Felix at the Assembly chambers as he finishes up his last year of service on the Anchorage Assembly representing Midtown, having been elected in 2017. For his “day job,” Felix works at the nonprofit The Alaska Center as their Partnerships Coordinator, working across a variety of coalitions focused on creating a renewable, affordable, and pro-worker future for all Alaskans.
At heart, Felix is a gamer and overall nerd, policy wonk, and organizer who has a long history of nonprofit service in Anchorage, having volunteered to serve on a variety of boards whose missions include youth recidivism, immigration justice, and LGBTQIA+ equality and more. When not working one of his two jobs, you’ll find Felix reading, playing chess, writing, escaping in a video game, watching the latest K-drama, and enjoying the beautiful Dena’ina lands he now calls home.
Tammalivis Salanoa
Community Advocate
Tammalivis Salanoa is a dedicated advocate and civic leader committed to uplifting the voices of Pacific Islanders and underrepresented communities across Alaska and beyond. She currently serves as a sitting Commissioner for the Anchorage Arts Advisory Commission, where she helps guide the city's cultural initiatives and champions equity and inclusion in the arts.
Rooted in her Pasifika identity, Tammalivis focuses her work on the intersections of equity, diversity, healthcare access, climate justice, and postsecondary education. She is passionate about creating pathways of opportunity for future generations.
Tammalivis is actively engaged at the local, national, and international levels, working with organizations and coalitions that center Indigenous and AANHPI voices in policy, education, and community development. Her leadership is informed by lived experience, academic training in digital design, and years of service-based work within Alaska’s nonprofit and public sectors.
She is a proud recipient of both the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Youth Services Award, national honors that recognize her long-standing commitment to service and youth empowerment. Whether through arts and culture, education, or community mobilization, Tammalivis remains focused on building a future rooted in justice, dignity, and belonging.
Sheryl Saturnino
Program Officer | Rasmuson Foundation
Sheryl Saturnino is a proud Anchorage native with a deep commitment to community, equity, and place-based impact. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage, she spent over a decade in Miami, where she completed a master’s degree in Community and Social Change at the University of Miami and built a dynamic career in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.
Sheryl most recently served as the Community Investments Manager at The Miami Foundation, a $450 million community foundation with more than $70 million in annual grantmaking. There, she led high-impact grant portfolios and multi-funder initiatives, including NewsMatch — a national campaign supporting nonprofit journalism — and Press Forward, a national movement to revitalize local news.Prior to this role, she served as grants manager for Lotus House, the country’s largest shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness.
In the summer of 2024, Sheryl returned home to Alaska — with her fiancé and cat in tow — after an epic cross-country RV journey. Back in her hometown, she’s eager to bring her experience in national philanthropy, grassroots advocacy, and systems change to local work that strengthens Alaskan communities.
When she’s not engaging in community building, Sheryl can be found on the pickleball court, biking and running on local trails, or at the library looking for her next book.
Cindy Tapia Ruiz
Trailside Director | The Alaska Center
Cindy Tapia Ruiz is a lifelong Alaskan who is passionate about building a thriving, just, and sustainable future for all children. Born in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico, and raised in Alaska, Cindy’s connection to land, community, and youth development has shaped both her personal and professional journey. With a background in education and human development, she is committed to breaking down barriers to access and uplifting the next generation of leaders. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her outdoors with her family—fishing, hiking, or camping on Dena’ina lands she’s proud to call home.
Alysyn Thibault
Executive Director | Anchorage Youth Court
Alysyn Thibault is the Executive Director for Anchorage Youth Court, a youth-serving non-profit organization that trains local youth to be attorneys and judges in real criminal cases involving their peers and provides an alternative justice system for first-time juvenile offenders. Alaskan born and raised, Alysyn spent her early childhood walking beaches on Prince of Wales Island and her young adulthood exploring in Anchorage. From an early age, she had a passion for stories, connection, and learning. The invaluable guidance she received from teachers influenced her to become an educator. Upon receiving her Master of Arts in Teaching degree, she went on to work in the Anchorage School District as an English teacher for 11 years. Most of her career she enjoyed at Title I middle and high schools, where the joy, challenge, and deep connections with students fulfilled all her dreams of what teaching could be. When the opportunity came to empower young people at a systemic level, she knew she had to enthusiastically say, “yes!” She has been the Executive Director at AYC since 2022, and every day is awed at the vision, strength, and voice that youth bring.
When not supporting local youth, she enjoys reading, running (lots of running), and spending time with her family and two dogs. She’s a devoted fan of the Backstreet Boys, breakfast tacos, and purple pens.
Moses Wiseman
Alaska Native Language Program Director | Alaska Institute for Justice
Moses Marr'aq Wiseman (He/Him) is from Chefornak, Alaska. He is the son of Victor and Leona Wiseman. Moses is the grandson of Charles Anartuaq and Josephine Inarayuli; & Dennis Nakrialnguq and Adeline Kaagyugaq Panruk. Moses graduated from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University with his Bachelor's of Arts degree in 2023. Currently, Moses works at the Alaska Institute for Justice as the Alaska Native Languages Program Director in Anchorage, Alaska. Moses is passionate about learning more about his Yup'ik culture and finding ways to integrate it into the western business world.
Andrea Witte Dubron
Owner | Susitna Energy Solutions
Andrea Witte Dubron was born and raised in Alaska and now co-owns Susitna Energy Solutions, a renewable energy business based in Anchorage. She grew up splitting time between the city and her family’s off-grid cabin in Skwentna, where she developed a deep appreciation for energy independence and supporting rural communities.
Before stepping into full-time ownership of the business with her husband Jordan, Andrea spent over a decade working in the health sector, sales, and community outreach—with roles at Stanford University School of Medicine, GCI, the American Heart Association, and the Marfan Foundation.
Andrea is passionate about giving back. She’s been involved with the American Heart Association, Rotary, and the Marfan Foundation, and she enjoys using her business as a platform to build meaningful connections across the state. She’s especially driven to help make Anchorage a place where young professionals can grow and thrive.
In her free time, you’ll likely find her playing piano, snowmachining, or camping with her family. She loves music, hosting gatherings at her home in Turnagain, and road-tripping across Alaska.
Andrea believes deeply in community, inclusion, and the power of local leadership—and she brings that energy into everything she does.
