Our Staff
Chantal organizes events and campaigns to help raise the financial resources to support the mission of The Alaska Center and The Alaska Center Education Fund. She loves building relationships with supporters who share our values and vision and inviting them to participate in our work. Chantal is grateful every day to work for an organization that is helping to build a powerful movement of engaged Alaskans to fight the climate crisis and build a democracy that represents all people.
Originally from Yokut lands, she earned her BA and MA at the University of Notre Dame. Previously, Chantal has worked in political fundraising and direct service nonprofits serving unhoused families. She lives on Dena'ina lands and enjoys spending time with her family in their backyard farm, cooking, playing music with friends, and traveling around the globe and in the Alaskan backcountry.
Kyla is a lifelong Alaskan and UAA alum. She started volunteering with The Alaska Center in 2015, as a member of the organization’s Volunteer Leadership Committee. Working alongside community organizers, she helped fight the Pebble Mine, the Chuitna Mine, and engage community members during state and local elections. In 2016, she became the Deputy Canvass Director and has knocked on thousands of doors all across the state. She is passionate about giving Alaskans a voice and has spent countless hours talking to community members about the issues they care about. When she isn’t scrolling through social media, she enjoys fishing, hiking, and solving puzzles.
Carissa is Sugpiaq/Alutiiq and has roots in Kodiak and the Bristol Bay region. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Hawai'i Pacific University and brings valuable communications experience from her Native Corporation background, as well as her entrepreneurial venture, Alaska Exquisite Travel.
In her role as Communications Manager, Carissa is responsible for spearheading and enhancing our communication strategies. She is dedicated to advancing The Alaska Center's mission and is committed to elevating our outreach efforts.
As the Development Director, Alison is dedicated to implementing equitable and inclusive fundraising practices. She strives to ensure that community and equity are reflected in all fundraising efforts. Drawing from her wealth of experience in community development, philanthropy, and grant-making, spanning both the public and private sectors, she actively supports the Center's vision of fostering a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations.
Born and raised in Hawai'i, Alison and her family now reside on Dena'ina lands. They have deep family ties to Alaska and are grateful to be living full-time in its wide-open spaces, breathtaking beauty, and wild abundance.
(907) 274-3669 | [email protected]
Vicki is a critical partner in ensuring the organization runs efficiently and effectively and drives toward our vision. Vicki oversees our operations and finance department while also managing our youth programs, Trailside Discovery Camp and AYEA.
With a passion for outdoor education and youth leadership, Vicki strives to make a difference in the world. In 2017 Vicki moved to Alaska to work for The Alaska Center/The Alaska Center Education Fund and was blown away by AKC/EdFund's commitment to creating a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations. Previously Vicki worked as an educator, trainer, and mentor to youth and young adults. Born and raised in Felixstowe, England, Vicki now lives and works on the lands of the Dena'ina people, where she and her family are avid fisherfolk, hunters, and rugby players.
George is a passionate advocate for social change with a strong focus on community development. Born and raised in New York, George has called much of the East Coast his home. Having swapped South Carolina for Alaska, George and his family now live, work, and play on the lands of the Dena'ina people.
A results-oriented professional with exceptional analytical abilities, George utilizes his extensive background in finance, human resources, and management to provide strategic insights that drive sound decision-making and contribute to the long-term success of The Alaska Center and its mission. When he's not working, George can be found coaching community softball and t-ball, fishing, exploring the Alaskan backcountry, and spending time with his family.
Originally from Concord, Massachusetts, Ayden graduated this past spring from Bowdoin College in Maine. He has worked on multiple political campaigns and spent a year at American Promise, a nationwide nonprofit working to pass a constitutional amendment to limit the power of money in politics. His work experience also includes two summers as a cook, guide, first responder, and host for long-distance hikers at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s backcountry huts in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At Bowdoin, Ayden studied political science and studio art and competed on the varsity cross-country ski team. He also spent four months in Nepal, studying development and gender issues and learning conversational Nepali. As the Alaska Center's Democracy and Civic Engagement Fellow, Ayden looks forward to working with Alaskan communities to help realize a more just and vibrant future.
Emme is an Afro-Indigenous lifelong Alaskan with roots in Wainwright, Alaska. She values nature, culture, justice and community. She has a background in social work and direct services, and has spent the last 7 years working for local nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about empowering people and advocating for marginalized groups. Emme is able to embrace her passions while working at The Alaska Center Education Fund as she builds fellowships of local leaders. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on nature walks, cooking, and car-camping. Emme has a vision of a just and inclusive future for her daughter and many more generations to come. She honors and lives on Dena’ina lands.
Kristal works closely with the Development Director on fundraising events to support Alaska's climate and democracy. She also advocates for a diverse and active donor program through acknowledgment and appreciation. Kristal is grateful for a hard-working team that engages the community and strives for a better Alaska. She came to this organization after taking a gap year to travel around the United States in a campervan. Kristal holds an International Studies degree and a Dance minor from the University of Alaska Anchorage, which have both helped her foster an interest in politics, translation, diversity, and immigration law. Outside her role at AKC, she enjoys dancing in nature, adventuring with her dog Couscous, and visiting her family in Puerto Rico. She was born and raised on Taino lands and now lives and works on Dena'ina lands.
Leila is the Program Manager for Alaska Youth for Environmental Action - aka AYEA! She is a lifelong Alaskan who grew up in Kodiak and now lives in Fairbanks. She is a proud alumni of the AYEA program herself and before coming to this role, volunteered with AYEA for several years as an adult mentor. Leila has worked in a variety of outdoor and place-based education and youth leadership programs across Alaska and is passionate about helping young people connect to the lands and communities they are a part of. In her role with AYEA, she works to uplift youth voices in the climate justice movement and help young people gain the skills and confidence they need to work for a better future for Alaska.
Leila holds a BA in Art from Reed College and is an artist and community organizer.
Cindy manages registration, curriculum, staff hiring, and program logistics for Trailside Discovery Camp. She loves having the opportunity to be a part of inspiring our future leaders to create a more sustainable Alaska.
Raised in Alaska, she ran wild on the beaches and forests and grew up swimming in Alaskan lakes. Cindy believes that her children and all children deserve a thriving, just, and sustainable future. At The Alaska Center Education Fund, she can bring that vision into every aspect of her work. With a background in education and human development, she has worked as a teacher, mentor, and director of childcare and youth programs. Initially a journalism major, her path was changed after traveling in poverty-stricken areas in Mexico. There she discovered that her true passion lies in breaking down barriers to education and working with youth.
When not working, she spends as much time as possible outdoors with her family, fishing, hiking, and camping. Born on the lands of the O'odham Jewed and Hia-Ced O'odham peoples in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, Cindy now lives and works on the unceded lands of the Dena'ina people.
Lisa is the Trailside Discovery Camp Manager & Administrator, where she works to create an equitable, joyful and welcoming outdoor education space for local youth. A lifelong camper, she is excited to encourage the next generation of environmental stewards and increase access to Trailside's programming. She earned her BA in Political Science & International Relations at Carleton College and has previously worked in political organizing and neighborhood development.
Erik West joined The Alaska Center in July 2024 as the Finance Director. Erik has been a CPA since 2004 and is a licensed CPA in WI, MT, and AK. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) for the first time with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy in 1999. Then Erik graduated from UW-L for the second time with an MBA degree in 2007. He has over 23 years of experience equally split between Public and Private accounting, including 8 years of experience in Nonprofit Finance Director/Controller related work, as well as being self-employed as an Interim Chief Financial Officer for a short period of time.
Erik was born and raised in La Crosse, WI, then moved to Missoula, MT in 2007, and finally made his way to Anchorage in April of 2022. Along with him, Erik brought his wife and 2 children to Alaska and they are all die-hard Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fans. Erik was the Treasurer of the Missoula Lions Club from June of 2019 to April 2022.