Janis Fleischman’s grandparents immigrated to the U.S., instilling in her family
a moral obligation to contribute to America. Janis left home at 16, finished high
school as an emancipated minor, and studied chemical engineering at Oregon
State, all while supporting herself.

In 1980, a summer engineering job at Prudhoe Bay led to the offer of a position upon graduation. Janis soon found herself commuting to the Slope and building a house above Turnagain Arm. Married in 1983, Janis and her husband spent two years sailing through Europe, adding the first of two children to their crew along the way.

Upon returning, Janis enrolled in UAA’s master’s in teaching program and went on to teach physics, chemistry, math, and wilderness skills in the Anchorage School District for 19 years. With another master’s in administration, she spent her final five years as a principal.

Janis and Jerry Lewanski, who married in 1999, saw retirement as an opportunity to create not just a family bakery, but a welcoming gathering space. With the support of all four of their adult children, they opened the Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in 2009. Fire Island has become a cherished community institution, with two locations and 70 employees.

Dianne, a lifelong Alaskan, spent much of her youth in Craig. She began her career in hospitality, managing a hotel in Sitka, before moving into human resources, labor relations, and public policy. Her impressive career led to her appointment as Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor, where she made a profound impact on workforce development, earning praise for her professionalism and dedication.

Dianne currently leads her consulting firm, NavigateAK. She has a passion for volunteer service and has mentored many women throughout her career, including incarcerated women through the Success Inside & Out Conference. She was instrumental in the 2016 Alaska Women’s Summit and continues volunteering with numerous community organizations. Dianne loves a good book, good friends, traveling, fishing, cooking, and spending time with family.

Rising Tide Communications has been a trusted partner for clients throughout Alaska since its founding in 2014. Kate’s leadership in her field, eagerness to mentor and grow other leaders, and volunteer energy reflect her passion for our community. She has served on the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Board of Directors since 2019. Kate developed and led the execution of the Save the SeaLife Center campaign, raising over $2 million and subsequently winning the Public Relations Society of America’s prestigious Silver Anvil award—her most personally gratifying achievement.

Kate grew up picking fish at her family’s Kodiak salmon set-net site and is a proud alumna of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Dawn’s business, Trickster Company, is a family-owned indigenous company that has achieved national acclaim. Her dedication to the advancement of Alaska’s indigenous people started as a young woman through her service on the boards of Doyon, Limited; Doyon Foundation; and the Alaska Federation of Natives. Dawn has advocated for Alaska Native people from Southeast to the Interior through professional roles with CIRI, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation, Central Council Tlingit Haida Tribes, and Trickster Company.

Raised in Fairbanks, by her Athabascan mother from Stevens Village and her Scottish father, Dawn now lives in Anchorage with her husband, Rod Worl. They have four adult children. She is from the Caribou “bidziyh” clan and the Raven Moiety, Sockeye Clan, of the Raven House of Haines.

Patuk leads initiatives to empower Arctic Slope communities through philanthropy, financial capacity building, and innovative programs. She has been instrumental in advancing food security, supporting efforts from food banks to the needs of whaling crews and subsistence hunters, the true leaders of food security in the Arctic. Patuk also champions transformative education through the Tribal Educator Apprenticeship Program, an innovative pathway that enables teacher aides to become certified Type A teachers via a Department of Labor-approved, culturally relevant apprenticeship.

Beyond her professional work, Patuk serves as a social media influencer, uplifting young Indigenous women and educating others about the Iñupiat way of life. Her leadership and advocacy reflect her passion for preserving cultural heritage while fostering sustainable growth in rural Alaska communities.

Lucy moved to Alaska in 1985, retiring from state service in 2018. Her accolades include teaching a Samoan computer literacy course for Polynesian elders, and she was the founder of the Polynesian Association of Alaska. Lucy has served on many boards including with Bridge Builders of Anchorage for several years, where she was vice president from 2015-19. She is credited with starting a Polynesian Culture School within ASD.

In 2015, Lucy was recognized as an Asian American Pacific Islander “Champions of Change” from the White House and, in 2019, she was chosen as one of the 10 Extra Tough Women of the North by the Anchorage Museum. With a history honoring and promoting her culture, Lucy created the first annual Miss Alaska Pacific Island Pageant in 2024.

Carolyn is a healthcare attorney born and raised in Anchorage. She graduated from Smith College, then Duke University School of Law, and is a partner at Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, where she was named to the Alaska Business Legal Elite, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. She is co-chair of the Alaska Bar Healthcare Law section and currently serves on the boards of Atwood Foundation and Alaska Legal Services Corporation, as well as the Council for Lutheran Church of Hope. Past positions include the Alaska Mental Health Board, the Alaska Museum Board, Anchorage Project Access Board, and co-chair of Bear Valley Elementary’s Fall Family Fun Night.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jake Kimbell, and daughters, Penny and Daphne.

Jenifer champions connectivity, equity, and community in Alaska. Growing up in King Cove, she understands how reliable connectivity impacts rural communities. As GCI’s senior director of rural affairs, Jen develops strategies and programs that engage rural customers and communities. She uses her expertise to give back in many ways. Jen served on the Arctic Council’s Task Force on Telecommunications in the Arctic and the Task Force to Improve Connectivity in the Arctic. She represents the Aleut International Association on the Arctic Economic Council, chairs the Aleut Corporation Board, and serves on the boards of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Camp Fire Alaska, and the American Cancer Society.

Through GCI Gives, Jen supports many other events like Native Youth Olympics, demonstrating a commitment to uplifting others.

Melanie was raised in Valdez where she met her high school sweetheart, Brad and first worked on the pipeline. After graduating from the Universities of Alaska (Anchorage) and Washington (School of Law), Melanie represented indigenous peoples for over two decades and played an instrumental role in two U.S. Supreme Court cases protecting indigenous rights. Service is a deep throughline in her leadership, advocating for justice, youth, education, responsible development, conservation, and women empowerment. Melanie spearheaded the creation of a legal clinic and an annual concert fundraiser and helped revise the board’s role at The Nature Conservancy of Alaska. She never fails to lead or serve others in a room.

Melanie and Brad are blessed with two grown children, Trevor and Samantha.

From the moment Lisa touched down in Alaska over 35 years ago, she has been focused on addressing social justice issues facing Alaska Native people, particularly women and children. From working in leadership at nonprofit and for-profit Cook Inlet Region organizations, to teaching at UAA, to serving on boards of numerous community organizations, including Covenant House and the Alaska Children’s Trust, Lisa has always engaged her passion for social justice and dedication to improving our community. Lisa’s Alaska career started on the faculty at the UAA Justice Center, then four years as in-house counsel for Cook Inlet Region Inc. and 17 years as Chief Legal Officer at Cook Inlet Tribal Council.

Today, she owns her own firm providing counsel to local nonprofit and national organizations.

Jen is an accomplished business owner and community investor. A lifelong Alaskan, she is an entrepreneur who has owned multiple businesses, building her current company with her husband from the ground up. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Alaska and is a licensed commercial real estate agent. Jen is an avid outdoor enthusiast and an active volunteer with a variety of organizations including Covenant House Alaska and Junior Achievement (JA). She received the Denali Award from JA for her contributions to the business community
in Anchorage.

Jen serves on the board of directors for the Gold Nugget Triathlon, Associated General Contractors of Alaska, Ninestar Education and Employment, and the University of Alaska Foundation.

Veronica specializes in communities and social performance consulting. Her career began as an archaeological technician, gillnet crew, and tour guide in Misty Fjords near her hometown of Ketchikan, where her family moved in 1962. After attending university ‘outside,’ she returned, working for Sheffield Hotels, the legislature, and Governors Steve Cowper and Tony Knowles. Veronica later joined Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, working on the federal pipeline right-of-way renewal before founding North Star Group in 2002. She earned a master’s in Rural Development from UAF. Veronica serves on the nonprofit boards of Build Alaska’s Future, promoting bipartisanship and public trust in government, and Alaska Native Arts Foundation, which is developing a free statewide artist directory.

She enjoys adventures with her husband, Jack Ferguson, and son, Oscar.

Before becoming CEO of Leisnoi, an ANCSA Village Corporation, Jana served as chairwoman. She has served as V.P. for Ahtna’s legal affairs, S.V.P. of corporate affairs for Afognak Native Corporation, and V.P. of Kodiak Area Native Association, the regions’ tribal health provider. Jana’s current board service includes the National Center American Indian Enterprise Development, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, and the Alaska Aerospace Corporation. She previously served on Tangirnaq Native Village’s Council (TNV), Koniag’s Board of Directors, and the Alaska Bar Association’s Alaska Native Law section. Originally from Kodiak, Jana earned a Bachelor of Arts at Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

A Koniag and Leisnoi shareholder and TNV tribal citizen, she is the proud momma of Brittany, Eli, and Tia.

Meg is a dedicated public servant focused on improving lives in Anchorage. As Executive Director of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, she develops community-driven solutions to address housing insecurity. Elected to the Anchorage Assembly representing Midtown District 4, Meg champions policies supporting affordable housing, public safety, and social services. Since moving to Alaska, Meg has been an advocate for people with disabilities, working to improve services and legal protections. An attorney, she brings expertise in law and policy, emphasizing evidence-based solutions. Her leadership fosters collaboration to create lasting change.

Meg is the proud parent of her daughter, Zelda, and couldn’t do her work without the support of her husband, Zach, and her friends. Meg feels privileged to live and serve in Anchorage.