Our Staff
Zoe/Ze (he/they/she), is an artist, musician, and intersectional environmentalist originally from Homer, Alaska. They write and produce indie/alt/bedroom math rock music, create mixed-media abstract collages, and have volunteered and worked for many organizations including Cook Inletkeeper, Environment America, and The Pratt Museum. He graduated from Kachemak Bay College in the spring of 2021 as valedictorian and moved to Anchorage in the fall to further pursue music and activism.
He's lived in Homer most of his life, Ze has also lived in Easport, ME, Pittsburgh, PA, and Portland, OR. Although each place has its own charm, Alaska is their home. The sweet smells of puski, alders, and raspberries on seaside cliffs are a blissful comfort. Clear winter nights that reveal the intricacies and hues of the Milky Way, and occasionally the dancing greens, purples, and reds of the Northern Lights fill their heart with wonder and appreciation. This indescribable beauty has inspired her to dedicate her life to protecting, restoring, and advocating for Alaska and the many intricate systems that work together to support life here. They're so honored to be a part of The Alaska Center and to make a positive impact in our communities and ecosystems.
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.
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.
(907) 274-3669 | [email protected]
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.
Alex grew up on Paugussett, Wappinger, and Schaghticoke lands, spending a lot of time in the woods and on lakes in Connecticut and upstate New York. They worked in public policy and communications before studying at Brooklyn Law School, where they met their partner who was born and raised on Dena'ina land. While visiting their partner’s family for a month in 2020, Alex fell in love with Alaska's communities and lands and has been here since.
Alex is excited to be a part of The Alaska Center's team focusing on clean energy and climate work that centers a regenerative future for all of us. Outside of the office, Alex can be found running, hanging out with dogs, or sharing food.
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.
Erik West joined The Alaska Center in July 2024 as the Finance Director. Erik has been a CPA since 2004 and is a licensed CPA in WI, MT, and AK. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) for the first time with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy in 1999. Then Erik graduated from UW-L for the second time with an MBA degree in 2007. He has over 23 years of experience equally split between Public and Private accounting, including 8 years of experience in Nonprofit Finance Director/Controller related work, as well as being self-employed as an Interim Chief Financial Officer for a short period of time.
Erik was born and raised in La Crosse, WI, then moved to Missoula, MT in 2007, and finally made his way to Anchorage in April of 2022. Along with him, Erik brought his wife and 2 children to Alaska and they are all die-hard Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fans. Erik was the Treasurer of the Missoula Lions Club from June of 2019 to April 2022.