PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR; PRESIDENT

GVEA; OUR 2 CENTS FAIRBANKS INC.

Hometown/Current City: Fairbanks

Education: I’m actually still working on completing my bachelors degree! I started as a freshman at UAF when I was just 16 years old, and with a full tuition waiver. I took any class that interested me, leaving me with a hodgepodge of credits. I got married, had my first child and started a business when I was 21 years old, and have mostly taken a break from school for the past 15 years. My children are both teens now and my workplace has a phenomenal educational reimbursement program, so I am planning to finally complete my degree in 2023!

Community Work: I don't think the importance of community can be overstated. I wholeheartedly believe that community saves lives and I am grateful for every opportunity to create connections and to serve.

In 2018, I started a 501c3 nonprofit called Our 2 Cents Fairbanks Inc. It is a community fund driven by small, monthly donations and the support of local businesses and Alaska corporations. Together, we have raised over $170,000, funded 42 important community projects and raised awareness for ongoing community needs.

Family: I’ve been married to my best friend who supports me in all my endeavors for the past 15 years, and I have two brilliant and brash teenagers who keep me on my toes and busy chauffeuring them around town and the state!

What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: From hiking the rolling hills of the Interior, camping in Denali National Park, kayaking in Kachemak Bay, skiing in Girdwood, fishing in Kodiak, listening to the best music in Chicken, to the magic of the Wrangell Mountains and more - Alaska is the ultimate playground, and every place I’ve been has become a new favorite.

Name the person you respect and why: I respect my daughter, Iris, who was born with a bright inner light and an intensity of spirit that she’s held onto. She is deeply compassionate, interested in social and environmental justice, a talented singer and songwriter, a bibliophile, an honor roll student and she’s just getting started. And my son, Oliver, who started life by competing to be the first baby born in the new year of 2010 and hasn’t slowed down since. He’s funny, kind and one of those lucky people who is naturally talented at everything he attempts, but also gives 100% effort and has fun while he’s doing it. Kids work so hard these days and have many difficult issues to navigate, they deserve so much respect!

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: Currently - cycling and growing giant pumpkins.

What was your first job?: Unofficially, I raked in so many quarters at my roadside kool-aid stand as a kid. Officially, courtesy clerk at Safeway.

What has been your most rewarding community service?: In 2019, I worked to raise funds to build a wheelchair ramp for a man named Bill who had advanced multiple sclerosis and had lost the ability to use his legs. Raising the funds and coordinating the labor to build the ramp was the easy part, thanks to Fairbanks’ incredible generosity, but it turned out that Bill needed support acquiring the power chair that he so desperately needed. I worked to schedule and provide rides to necessary appointments, helped Bill navigate medicare and insurance requirements and had to fiercely advocate on his behalf. It was a deeply humbling and rewarding experience, and a reminder of the devastating barriers that exist for people who need help the most.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?: Part of my job is coordinating volunteer opportunities for Golden Valley Electric employees - our employees have the biggest hearts and so much energy, so it’s a joy to help arrange community service projects for them! In 2022, 86 GVEA employees volunteered 393 hours in Interior communities delivering Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors, packing food boxes at the Food Bank, serving breakfast at our local soup kitchen, working at the Literacy Council, cleaning up community gardens and more! Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?: I am committed to the organization that I work for, I love my fellow employees and I feel extremely valued at work, but, if I were to resign tomorrow, my position would be filled quickly and work would progress seamlessly. I think that it’s very important to be dedicated to work while maintaining a healthy perspective and creating healthy boundaries to protect work-life balance. Because without balance, burnout is inevitable and it can take years to recover! I am grateful that GVEA values employee wellness and recognizes that healthy employees produce exceptional work.