Jessica Veldstra
Project Manager
Jessica was born and raised in Homer, Alaska, where she spent summers on a commercial fishing boat with her family. Her maternal grandmother was Inupiaq from the Kotzebue, Alaska area. She learned a lot about the Inupiaq culture through grandmother, as well as on construction jobs with her father in Teller and Whales, Alaska. She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management degree through University of Alaska Southeast Distance Education. She has worked in various administrative positions mostly with First National Bank Alaska and one year with the Kachemak Bay Branch of the Kenai Peninsula College of UAA. She has been working in various capacities on BSSN and CONAS.
Leah Bower
GIS Analyst
Stay tuned for more about Leah!
Liza Mack
Principal Investigator
Liza is a PhD Candidate in the Indigenous Studies Program at the University Of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She is Aleut, born and raised in the Aleutians and has over 20 years of experience working in and around Indigenous organizations and communities. Her dissertation research focuses on natural resource management, knowledge transfer and engagement of Indigenous communities in the regulatory process. She has a B.A. and M.S. in Anthropology from Idaho State University and has been an adjunct professor at UAF, teaching Native Cultures of Alaska and Intro to Unangam Tunuu (Aleut Language). Much of her work is focused on cultural revitalization and community involvement in policy. She has knowledge of Alaska Native Cultures and personal connections with leaders from across the state. She is familiar with the local, regional, state, federal and international board processes and the importance of engaging Indigenous peoples in this work. View Liza's Resume
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