CHUGACH HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Hometown/Current City: Anchorage

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management UAA; master’s in business administration, APU; various certificate programs, to include the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program Graduate Certificate and Foraker’s Executive Leadership Intensive

Community Work: Board member, of the Alaska Native Heritage Center; co-chair, ANCSA Education Consortium

Family: My parents are John F.C. Johnson and Eleanor Carltikoff Johnson. I am the youngest of three daughters. The Johnson side of my family is from Cordova and originally Nuuciq. The Carltikoff/Karshekoff side of my family is from Nondalton. I am of Athabascan and Alutiiq descent. My parents have dedicated their lives to serving their respective communities to address economic, social and cultural impacts. These strong values have been passed on to their children. My oldest sister Iris has been serving the Anchorage community in the health care field, and my sister Jayme serves the Chugach region preparing people for the workforce.

What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: My two favorite places in Alaska are where I have spent every summer since I was born. I spend two weeks every July with my father at the historic village of Nuuciq, located on Hinchinbrook Island in the Prince William Sound. My paternal great-grandmother Mary Chimovitski was born there on our traditional lands. I’m grateful as the next generation to continue to bring our people together to teach and celebrate our cultural heritage where our ancestors once lived.

My other favorite place in Alaska is at my maternal family’s fish camp on Six-Mile Lake, across from the village of Nondalton. My mother has taught us to subsist off the land and continue to process fish every summer where her mother Vera Balluta once taught her. It’s a beautiful location right on the beach by the lake surrounded by a copious amount of family harvesting for the winter.

Name the person you respect and why: My uncle, Harry Karshekoff. He is a natural selfless leader. He is always there for his family and community. He has supported me through many years of remodeling my home, maintenance and other outdoor projects. No matter what we are working on, whether it’s flooring, drywalling, plumbing or setting the net, he’ll make sure everyone around participates in every step. He aims to pass on and teach everything he knows to anyone willing to take the time to learn. After every project he’ll say, “okay, now you know how and can do it on your own.”

He is one of the hardest workers I know. He commercial fishes in the summer and does construction yearlong. Everything he has worked for in his life has been to give to the next generation. He is an integral part of our large family that unites us. He has always been a voice of reason with the fewest number of words needed. I have so much respect for my uncle Harry and strive to live a life like his, making sure the next generation has all the tools in their toolbox to be successful.

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: Away from work I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I also enjoy traveling to find new places and experiences.

What was your first job?: My first summer job right after high school was working for the annual Nuuciq Spirit Camp as a Youth Coordinator. My duties included staying with a group of youth participants, attending cultural classes and supporting the overall program. My first full-time job the following fall was working as an intern for the Chugach Heritage Foundation. I had the opportunity to support the scholarship programs while simultaneously pursuing my undergraduate degree.

What has been your most rewarding community service?: Mentoring the next generation of leaders to pursue their educational and career goals. This last year I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the initial steering committee that governed an internal company group called Chugach Native Professionals. The group was created to support continuous education of Chugach shareholders and descendants, enabling advocacy for political, economic and social matters impacting our company’s 100-year plan.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?: The Nuuciq Spirit Camp has been the most fulfilling project in my professional life. The camp was created to provide opportunities for students, elders and instructors to share and learn the native arts, lifestyle and language of the Chugach people. The camp has been in operation for the last 29 years. I have grown up with this program as a youth participant and later worked in various roles on the island. I worked as a Youth Coordinator... Cont. on Page 56

Top 40 Under 40 | 30

Top Forty Under 40 Class of 2023

Jaymie Herbert

Human Resource Manager

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