Driving Change from the Bottom-Up
In the echo chamber of a news cycle hounding elections, you may hear the same names and see the same faces. When the conversation hovers over one to two people, obscuring the voices of the many, it becomes easy to forget your own power as an agent. While politics may seem like a top-down process, with all the power concentrated in the hands of a few government officials, change can come from the bottom-up.
Parents, educators, neighbors, and friends — you and the people you live and work beside have as much, if not more, power and potential to be the change that uplifts and empowers the community.
Last week, 20 changemakers took the first step in claiming that power. On September 25th, the Alaska Center Education Fund staff gathered in downtown Anchorage to celebrate the launch of Rise and Represent Cohort 2. Rising above the roar of TV commercials, these individuals are ready to serve at the local level.
In 2025, Rise and Represent Alaska was created to amplify diverse voices and empower leaders to serve on boards and commissions. Grounded in the belief that our systems should reflect the people they serve, the program offers group training sessions led by local and elected leaders, one-on-one mentorship, access to a network of local leaders, and more.
The inaugural cohort comprised 14 participants, six of whom have since been officially appointed to state and local boards and commissions.
Despite walking into Rise and Represent Alaska with unique goals, all 14 participants reported personal growth and professional development upon leaving the program. According to an exit survey completed by Cohort 1, average scores across all leadership skills (e.g. confidence in serving on a board or commission, finding and applying to openings, and understanding how decisions are made in local government) increased.
One leader shared that they learned “how accessible and achievable for [them] it is to join a board or commission.” Others said that they forged important connections with their mentors, felt encouraged to reach for higher positions, and gained practical insight into how decisions are made in local government.
This year, Rise and Represent expanded the cohort to 20 participants. Like the cohort before them, these future leaders bring diverse perspectives to the program, and are ready to show up for the communities they care about with their authentic selves.
Over the course of 11 weeks, the second cohort will build technical skills like studying municipal budgets, collaborating on case studies, and power mapping to develop a deep understanding of boards and commissions in Anchorage. At the same time, cohort members will refine their own leadership philosophy, implementing their unique visions of a thriving, just, and sustainable future.
At Thursday’s kickoff party, Cohort 2 reflected on personal goals for the program. For one person, Rise and Represent is an opportunity to overcome self-doubt as a leader and build a support system that will last beyond the program. Another person said that they hope to advocate for early childhood education and be present in their community. Many fellows expressed the desire to encourage, uplift, and learn from each other.
As Cohort 2 begins their journey, The Alaska Center Education Fund looks forward to spotlighting these leaders and their visions for change.
To learn how these community members found their calling in leadership, follow along on our socials @alaskacenter on Instagram and Facebook as we share their stories!
Building power one person at a time,
The Alaska Center
