Continued Bios Kara Carlson, Pg 9:
Name the person you respect and why I can’t just pick one person, I was professionally raised and mentored by incredible individuals: Pete Pinney, Executive Director, North Star Community Foundation and Executive Dean, UAF College of Rural and Community Development, Emeritus, who has been a mentor turned neighbor and friend for many years of my career. The thing that connected me most to him is our shared passion for connecting people to resources. He is brilliant, kind, generous, sarcastic and passionate about connecting people to resources. Jessica Stossel, current Interim Executive Director of the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living, who hired me 17 years ago, believed in me, professionally raised me and supported me through my entire career. She is dedicated, resilient, level headed, loyal and supportive. Brenda Stanfill, former Executive Director of the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living and current Executive Director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, who became one of the most influential mentors, supported me through graduate school, mentored me into the leader that I am today through her incredible example of nonprofit leadership, building community and always believed and inspired me to change the world. She is strong, fearless, bold and charismatic. Last, but not least, the late Barbara Paradiso, Executive Director of the Center on Domestic Violence, School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, Denver, who was my advisor, mentor and one of my greatest cheerleaders. She was an incredible catalyst to building leaders and had a significant impact throughout the nation. She created the change that we all wanted to see in the world on the front line and behind the scenes with people like me. If I had to pick one person, Barb mentored me from the time I entered my graduate program until the day she passed in fall of last year. She is who I would like to most be like when I grow up. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? Setting boundaries, especially with yourself. Scheduling time to do the things that are important to you, and also nothing at all. Having someone to confide in who is neutral, non-judgmental and who is not afraid to hold you accountable. You will never know everything, and everyone has something to offer and contribute. Even if you disagree you can almost always find common ground. What is your favorite quote? “No one can do everything but everyone can do something.” - Unknown
Kailey Erickson, Pg 11:
In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling? When others around me are achieving, I am achieving. I am a big picture person, and that means I may not be the best detailed person, but I can bring people to the table who have different strengths than me and different working styles, and they can grasp onto concepts that may not be ones I am proficient in. I am all for inviting people to the table that are different than me, who have different skills, capacities and visions, and with that there may be opposition in discussions or differences of opinions and being different is welcomed to my team. I found when we all come together from different avenues we can build spectacular programs, and when I see others achieve around me, I have done my job. When you foster a safe learning and work environment for people to be themselves they will flourish. To me that is fulfillment. From students I have taught, kids I have helped raise and staff that I have helped navigate new roles and growing pains with. When they achieve, I achieve, and I absolutely love it seeing people become elevated and be happy doing it. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? My advice is to always keep those healthy boundaries. Your wellness comes first. Work will always be there, life moves quickly and those moments in our life with our friends and family are precious. If you want to have a good work-life balance, learn how to say no. You cannot work and be productive members of your family, workplace and society if you are not well. It’s not selfish to put your wellness first. What is your favorite quote? “You have a four-fold life to live: a body, a brain, a heart and a soul … These are your living tools. To use and develop them is not a task … it is a golden opportunity.” - William H. Danforth
Rhiana Gay, Pg 14:
In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling? As a career educator, an ongoing service project is advocating for the retention and recruitment of educators and added mental health services for students. Public education will flourish when we put students first by realizing that a teacher’s work environment is a student’s learning environment. Actively lobbying and providing public testimony for the passing of HB220, increasing base student allocation, and providing educators a retirement are ongoing community acts I strive to attain. In March 2022, I was introduced at the Capitol on the House and Senate Floor. Witnessing the legislative process ignited a passionate flame. Meeting with our representatives and senators, I was able to lend my voice and make a difference by sharing the importance of education funding for students and educators’ retirement. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? Honestly, the work-life balancing act is something I am striving to reach. In my helping profession, when professionals see needs, we tend to give all our time, energy and effort. Therefore, it is my ongoing goal to create a harmonious work-life balance. Goals and advice I have for myself to strive for include me recognizing that I am making an educational impact for my students and community, even when, at times, it doesn’t feel like it. Budgeting my time and setting boundaries will help. I am prioritizing my health and leaving work on time to make it to the gym, to continue to put my fitness, mental health first. To ensure my teaching career is impactful, healthy and long-lasting, I must attain these goals. What is your favorite quote? Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Abbey Jackson, Pg 18:
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? The answer to this question is always evolving and changing. For now, it is a matter of setting boundaries and having a good support system both at work and in my personal life. Once the boundaries are established, it helps you to focus on work while you are at work and enjoy your personal space while at home. Having a good support system is key especially when the boundaries constantly flex and bend. What is your favorite quote? “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” - Nelson Mandela “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” - John Maxwell
Rachel Kallander, Pg 23:
In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling? For me, it is probably the conversations of impact. Working on many statewide political campaigns, I’ve had the opportunity to lean into difficult conversations with Alaskan voters. I’ve learned about the complexities of life in different regions and communities, and industries. These conversations gave me new insight into how we might problem solve to improve Alaska and life here in general. Those conversations are always an honor to have. The Arctic Encounter and our convenings in Alaska and abroad inspire me. And again, it’s the personal connections and the one-on-one conversations that inspire me most. A few years ago, I asked the former Prime Minister of Greenland on stage what advice she would give to young leaders in the Far North. She said, “Know who you are. Know your worth.” I will never forget that and reflect on that advice often. Before he passed, I had a conversation with the late Edward Saggan Itta from Utqiagvík. He attended the first two Arctic Encounter events as an honored elder and speaker. I was expressing in a vulnerable moment my insecurities about hosting dialogues focused on a region in which I did not grow up. I was a law student and just coming into my own. He looked me in the eye, leaned in, and said, “Rachel, sometimes you don’t go out into the world and find your passion. Sometimes your passion finds you.” That conversation was a pivotal one. I take these conversations into my work and my life. I carry them with me to stay connected to the wisdom that these leaders have offered and that I’ve had the privilege to know and work with. What is your favorite quote? “It’s always worth it to find ‘em out.” - Jim Kallander
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