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

Michelle Klouda, Pg 26:

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?

Obtaining my Architectural License. There are many hurdles to become a licensed architect and it is not easy. I spent an entire year sitting in coffee shops after work and on weekends studying for my exams. There were seven at that time. The feeling of accomplishment when I was notified that I passed the final one was overwhelming.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?

For me it is understanding that the lines between work and home will always blur and that’s okay. Keeping that in mind when I am home, I do my best to play hard and when I am at work, I work hard.

What is your favorite quote?

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” - Helen Keller

Xavier Mason, Pg 36:

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?

Back in 2013, I founded a nonprofit called VisualAid. It was a nonprofit that had the purpose of inspiring, motivating and diminishing the psychological barriers of what children believed they could achieve with their lives through the transformative power of education. We made amazing study-books that were bi-lingual and the graphics made the educational stories seemingly come to life. I started this nonprofit because I felt tremendous survivor’s guilt, after realizing the transformative role that education played in my life. Through VisualAid, I converted that guilt into opportunity for our readers. It was an expensive labor of the heart. I loved expanding the venture; however, its growth reached a point where I could no longer self-fund it. I may bring it back one day. Second to that, is attending Oxford University. The City of Spires is where dreams are made.

What is your favorite quote?

“By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.” This quote is almost always mis-attributed to Franz Kafka, but it is really from Nikos Kazantzakis. I have viewed this quote as somewhat of a motif for my life this past decade. I somewhat view life as something given, yet something that we, individually and collectively create. My current goals and aspirations are ideas that I am creating.

Angela Michaud, Pg 39:

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?

Work hard and play hard. Schedule your breaks ahead of time so you aren’t working so hard you forget to schedule things. I look at my calendar a year in advance. I look at when I will be most busy at work and then schedule a break for after that time to rest and refresh. Also, taking time in the evenings and weekends to spend quality time with my family being active outside, playing games, harvesting or putting up food for the winter.

What is your favorite quote?

“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway.” - Mother Teresa

Kris Palmatier, Pg 41:

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?

When I started at Rasmuson Foundation in 2016, we were growing both in assets and staff. During that time, it was decided that we would bring our bookkeeping and accounting activities in-house. I led the transition and built the accounting and bookkeeping system which helped improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our financial systems while giving the board, management and staff more information and better control.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?

Finance operates in seasons and Rasmuson Foundation provides critical support to people and communities across Alaska. There is never a lack of things to do. It can very easily become all-consuming. One of the things I have had to train myself to do over the years is to prioritize joy and to be intentional with my time. Each of us has the same number of hours and minutes in a day and each of us are changing, often growing demands for those limited hours and minutes. For me, this means prioritizing friends and family. Over the years I’ve cultivated a wonderful circle of close friends who challenge me and encourage me to be the best version of myself. I am also very close with my family. I talk to my parents most days and spend the summer months with them. My sister is one of my best friends, and we spend most of our vacations with her. You will never regret prioritizing supporting a friend’s art, having dinner with your parents or relaxing on a sun-soaked beach with any of the many people you love.

What is your favorite quote?

“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”

Nikki Rose, Pg 45:

What has been your most rewarding community service?

Nikki has harnessed her momentum and moved forward to lead in her community and her state. She demonstrates sustained integrity, excellence, motivation and dedication. She’s made a name for herself among her peers in our community. One of her most rewarding community endeavors was serving as Sand Lake Community Council President and the multitude of community projects she was able to coordinate. Each year she coordinated planting flowers and picking up trash at the Four Corners on Jewel Lake Road, family friendly community picnics, cleaning up spray paint and parks, and designing the local playgrounds. One of her designs is the gem of the neighborhood of west Anchorage, Jewel Lake Playground on the shores of Jewel Lake. Her inspiration was Peter Pan’s Neverland and the centerpiece of the playgroup is a Captain Hook inspired pirate ship, complete with binoculars and lookout points to spot mermaids and crocodiles who may be lurking in the waters. Another part of her design was incorporating a dedicated play structure for children ages 2-5 to give them their own space to explore. The ADA accessible surfacing throughout the play area is surrounded by a fence, allowing families to enjoy the park safely. This Neverland theme is continued by creating a gathering place for children to develop and strengthen their imagination. Prior to the installation of the play equipment, Nikki worked hard to secure much needed drainage improvements and also a zip line was constructed on the northern side of the park and coordinated a volunteer event to clean up the park, as well as planting and seeding. While her idea to install foot washing stations in the shape of crocodiles wasn’t implemented, she hopes that one day this will be an addition to the play area and the park will be filled with laughter as families play along the water’s edge on the sandy beach without fear of swimmer’s itch. Imagine what our neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered just one kind word or act of kindness to another person.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? -

A good work-life balance requires intentionality, a sense of humor and the desire to enjoy life. Spending time with my family is key. Also, investing in others and adopting a spirit of servanthood helps me to find my deep and abiding peace. Poor work-life balance is like a pendulum swinging far from one side (heavy work) to the other (exhaustion, apathy, unhealthy rest). Our lives are going to have swings between work and rest, but finding a way to keep that pendulum aligned as much as possible leads to a much healthier life. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” - CS Lewis

What is your favorite quote? -

“Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3