Our Staff
Chantal organizes events and campaigns to help raise the financial resources to support the mission of The Alaska Center and The Alaska Center Education Fund. She loves building relationships with supporters who share our values and vision and inviting them to participate in our work. Chantal is grateful every day to work for an organization that is helping to build a powerful movement of engaged Alaskans to fight the climate crisis and build a democracy that represents all people.
Originally from Yokut lands, she earned her BA and MA at the University of Notre Dame. Previously, Chantal has worked in political fundraising and direct service nonprofits serving unhoused families. She lives on Dena'ina lands and enjoys spending time with her family in their backyard farm, cooking, playing music with friends, and traveling around the globe and in the Alaskan backcountry.
Marta Ditzler grew up in Eagle River, Alaska and majored in Environmental Science at the College of St. Benedict. She has a strong passion for the environment which came from growing up in the Alaskan wilderness. In college she expanded her knowledge of environmental advocacy and now works as The Alaska Center Organizing Fellow. She is thrilled to finally work on environmental issues in the place she grew up.
Kyla is a lifelong Alaskan and UAA alum. She started volunteering with The Alaska Center in 2015, as a member of the organization’s Volunteer Leadership Committee. Working alongside community organizers, she helped fight the Pebble Mine, the Chuitna Mine, and engage community members during state and local elections. In 2016, she became the Deputy Canvass Director and has knocked on thousands of doors all across the state. She is passionate about giving Alaskans a voice and has spent countless hours talking to community members about the issues they care about. When she isn’t scrolling through social media, she enjoys fishing, hiking, and solving puzzles.
Carissa is Sugpiaq/Alutiiq and has roots in Kodiak and the Bristol Bay region. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Hawai'i Pacific University and brings valuable communications experience from her Native Corporation background, as well as her entrepreneurial venture, Alaska Exquisite Travel.
In her role as Communications Manager, Carissa is responsible for spearheading and enhancing our communication strategies. She is dedicated to advancing The Alaska Center's mission and is committed to elevating our outreach efforts.
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Vicki is a critical partner in ensuring the organization runs efficiently and effectively and drives toward our vision. Vicki oversees our operations and finance department while also managing our youth programs, Trailside Discovery Camp and AYEA.
With a passion for outdoor education and youth leadership, Vicki strives to make a difference in the world. In 2017 Vicki moved to Alaska to work for The Alaska Center/The Alaska Center Education Fund and was blown away by AKC/EdFund's commitment to creating a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations. Previously Vicki worked as an educator, trainer, and mentor to youth and young adults. Born and raised in Felixstowe, England, Vicki now lives and works on the lands of the Dena'ina people, where she and her family are avid fisherfolk, hunters, and rugby players.
As the Development Director, Alison is dedicated to implementing equitable and inclusive fundraising practices. She strives to ensure that community and equity are reflected in all fundraising efforts. Drawing from her wealth of experience in community development, philanthropy, and grant-making, spanning both the public and private sectors, she actively supports the Center's vision of fostering a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations.
Born and raised in Hawai'i, Alison and her family now reside on Dena'ina lands. They have deep family ties to Alaska and are grateful to be living full-time in its wide-open spaces, breathtaking beauty, and wild abundance.
George is a passionate advocate for social change with a strong focus on community development. Born and raised in New York, George has called much of the East Coast his home. Having swapped South Carolina for Alaska, George and his family now live, work and play on the lands of the Dena'ina people. A results-oriented professional with exceptional analytical abilities, George utilizes his extensive background in finance, human resources and management to provide strategic insights that drive sound decision-making and contribute to the long-term success of The Alaska Center and its mission. When he’s not working, George can be found coaching community softball and t-ball, fishing, exploring the Alaskan backcountry, and spending time with his family.
Kristal works closely with the Development Director on fundraising events to support Alaska's climate and democracy. She also advocates for a diverse and active donor program through acknowledgment and appreciation. Kristal is grateful for a hard-working team that engages the community and strives for a better Alaska. She came to this organization after taking a gap year to travel around the United States in a campervan. Kristal holds an International Studies degree and a Dance minor from the University of Alaska Anchorage, which have both helped her foster an interest in politics, translation, diversity, and immigration law. Outside her role at AKC, she enjoys dancing in nature, adventuring with her dog Couscous, and visiting her family in Puerto Rico. She was born and raised on Taino lands and now lives and works on Dena'ina lands.
Alyssa Quintyne is the Interior Organizing Manager at The Alaska Center on (Chena Dene lands in Tanan, colonially known as Fairbanks). She works to create a space of strength and empowerment for people to protect and build what they love. On our team, Alyssa plays an influential role in the Solarize Fairbanks initiative, increasing voter engagement in local elections, guiding our Equity and Inclusion work, and supporting other projects around town. She believes that every person is capable of creating the futures we all deserve to live right now. Her job is to help us get it done.
She and her parents came a long way to Alaska. Her entire family is from Barbados but was stationed in Fort Wainwright in 2001, where she was raised. During her time, Alyssa has built an extensive community organizing background of 12 years. With a BA in Political Science, she’s done a wide variety of research and advocacy work, both locally and internationally. Researcher, painter, violinist, curator, and avid napper are some of the other titles she carries. Alyssa strives to use her skill to give back and help build the community she loves.
Julian works alongside the organizing team as the Salmon and Clean Water Organizer at The Alaska Center. As a dedicated environmentalist, Julian places social justice and environmental welfare at the center of his work. He received a Bachelor of Arts in American Politics and English Literature from Washington and Lee University, where he developed strong leadership skills and a passion for environmental policy and literature through classroom and outdoor education experiences. He found his way to this organization after working as an outdoor educator in Colorado and communicating climate change and glaciology in Seward.
Julian aims to use his leadership skills, passion for the environment, and belief in community to protect the salmon and waters of Alaska. He was raised on Catawba lands and now lives and works on the unceded lands of the Dena'ina people. In his free time, you can find Julian fishing, ice climbing, reading, or cooking.
Jenny-Marie Stryker (she/her) is the Political Director for The Alaska Center. She leads The Alaska Center's work to elect leaders that will champion our values, which includes assisting the Board of Directors with the endorsement process, leading collaboration on elections with our many partner organizations, and running The Alaska Center Independent Expenditure program. Jenny-Marie also helps guide our political strategy on the many levels we work on, including legislative, local municipal, and utility boards.
Jenny-Marie joined The Alaska Center after working on over a dozen Alaska campaigns and briefly as a journalist. She joined the organization to make longer-term positive change that doesn't stop after each election cycle. She loves spending every day focused on helping elect, support, and hold accountable leaders across the board in our state. She gets immense joy from seeing Alaskans feel empowered to engage in our democracy.
Outside of work, she can be found walking her Malamute pup Nala, hiking (slowly), and cooking. She is honored to live and play on Dena'ina land but originally grew up on Coastal Miwok land in the Bay Area, CA.