Our Next Chapter: Important Announcement

The Boards of The Alaska Center and The Alaska Center Education Fund, together with Executive Director Polly Carr, announce Polly’s plan to transition by the end of 2022. 

After almost nine years as Executive Director of The Alaska Center (AKC) and The Alaska Center Education Fund (AKCEF), Polly Carr has announced her intention to transition out of that role in late 2022. We are excited for Polly’s future and for the opportunity to continue to grow two organizations that have been so constructively transformed under her leadership.

The Alaska Center and The Alaska Center Education Fund were formed from the incredible work of their predecessors: Alaska Center for the Environment and Alaska Conservation Voters. When Polly took the helm in 2013, she worked with the boards of these two organizations to build a shared vision:  a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations. Since then the organizations have flourished, building an engaged movement of Alaskans across generations, working with a wide network of partners throughout the state. 

This occasion for new leadership will bring further energy, ideas, and opportunities to advance statewide environmental and social change, and our commitment to racial equity and justice. The boards will work closely with Polly through this transition, and she is committed to support us through the fall of 2022, as needed. In turn, the boards fully support Polly as she explores and embraces the next chapter of her life. 

Three of Polly’s lessons in the movement stand out in this moment: always push forward, support and mentor emerging leaders, and make space for new leaders. She has decided it is time to move over for new leadership. We hope you will join us as we enthusiastically pursue a new Executive Director!

Our boards will launch a hiring process soon.  We’ll keep you informed as this process unfolds, and please feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Alaska is a beautiful place with resilient people and incredible potential. We’re thankful for our supporters, partners, volunteers and mentors who share our belief of what is possible for Alaska.