ANPA Board of Directors
The Alaska Native Professional Association (ANPA) is operated by elected or appointed members. Together the Board of Directors oversee the activities of the Association to ensure ANPA is operating to meet its core purpose, "Develop young Alaska Native Leaders."
ANPA encourages members to provide feedback to the Association by speaking to any member of the Board.
ANPA encourages members to provide feedback to the Association by speaking to any member of the Board.
Krysten Demientieff, Chair
As Vice President of Client Services at Brilliant Media Strategies, Krysten oversees marketing, branding, public education campaigns, issues management and other communications projects for clients of all sizes including state government agencies, Alaska Native corporations and tribes as well as nonprofit and for-profit companies in Alaska and the Lower 48.
Krysten is Gwich’in and Koyukon Athabascan and her family comes from Beaver, Ruby and Fairbanks. She holds a B.S. in science, technology and society with a concentration in innovation, technology and organizations from Stanford University.
As Vice President of Client Services at Brilliant Media Strategies, Krysten oversees marketing, branding, public education campaigns, issues management and other communications projects for clients of all sizes including state government agencies, Alaska Native corporations and tribes as well as nonprofit and for-profit companies in Alaska and the Lower 48.
Krysten is Gwich’in and Koyukon Athabascan and her family comes from Beaver, Ruby and Fairbanks. She holds a B.S. in science, technology and society with a concentration in innovation, technology and organizations from Stanford University.
Erin Messmer, Vice Chair
Born in Juneau and raised in Seward, Erin is of Unangax̂ descent. Taking a nontraditional approach to education, Erin has worked in a variety of professions, graduating in 2018, Magna Cum Laude, from Chapman University with a degree in Strategic and Corporate Communication. Erin now works at Northwest Strategies (NWS), a fast-paced, woman- and Alaska Native-owned advertising agency. She proudly represents her heritage as a part of the NWS Indigenous Team, reviewing and preparing content to ensure equitable messaging, language and considerations for Alaska Natives. She carries the ethos of “Nothing about Us, without Us” in her work and regularly supports Alaska Native-owned organizations in enhancing their communications and elevating their profiles. When not working, you can find her adventuring in the mountains, foraging and berry picking, or spending time with her family.
Born in Juneau and raised in Seward, Erin is of Unangax̂ descent. Taking a nontraditional approach to education, Erin has worked in a variety of professions, graduating in 2018, Magna Cum Laude, from Chapman University with a degree in Strategic and Corporate Communication. Erin now works at Northwest Strategies (NWS), a fast-paced, woman- and Alaska Native-owned advertising agency. She proudly represents her heritage as a part of the NWS Indigenous Team, reviewing and preparing content to ensure equitable messaging, language and considerations for Alaska Natives. She carries the ethos of “Nothing about Us, without Us” in her work and regularly supports Alaska Native-owned organizations in enhancing their communications and elevating their profiles. When not working, you can find her adventuring in the mountains, foraging and berry picking, or spending time with her family.
Anthony Lekanof, Treasurer
Anthony is an Aleut Corporation and Doyon Limited shareholder and was born and raised in St. George Island.
Anthony is an Outreach Consultant for the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sitka and Alaska. Anthony was elected to his first term on the The Aleut Corporation Board (TAC) in 2020. Currently, he serves on the Shareholder Outreach and Development Committee and is TAC’s Representative to the Museum of the Aleutians Board of Directors. Additional board experience includes Board of Director for St. George Tanaq Corporation.
Anthony is currently studying at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s School of Political Science. He also attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ where he earned his pilot’s license. Anthony was a recipient of the Roger Lang Leadership award from the Alaska Federation of Natives. His experience includes working in marketing and communications for Northwest Strategies as well as business development for 60Hertz Microgrids.
Anthony is an Aleut Corporation and Doyon Limited shareholder and was born and raised in St. George Island.
Anthony is an Outreach Consultant for the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sitka and Alaska. Anthony was elected to his first term on the The Aleut Corporation Board (TAC) in 2020. Currently, he serves on the Shareholder Outreach and Development Committee and is TAC’s Representative to the Museum of the Aleutians Board of Directors. Additional board experience includes Board of Director for St. George Tanaq Corporation.
Anthony is currently studying at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s School of Political Science. He also attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ where he earned his pilot’s license. Anthony was a recipient of the Roger Lang Leadership award from the Alaska Federation of Natives. His experience includes working in marketing and communications for Northwest Strategies as well as business development for 60Hertz Microgrids.
Regina Therchik, Secretary
Qussauyaq Regina Therchik is Yup’ik and was raised in Toksook Bay as an enrolled member of the Nunakauyarmiut Tribe. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History from the College of St.Benedict as a first-generation college student.
As a Workforce Development Specialist and proud Shareholder employee at Calista Corporation, she is committed to increasing employment, education, and training benefits to Calista Shareholders and Descendants. She coordinates a robust summer internship program, assists with Yukon-Kuskokwim workforce development initiatives, and builds transformational partnerships with other Native organizations. She also created a corporate culture training that aims to educate employees on the history and culture of Calista Shareholders. Prior to working at Calista Corporation, Regina started her career as an intern at their Yulista Holding, LLC subsidiary where she was later hired and developed skills in aerospace quality, earning an AS9100D Lead Auditor Certification.
She is passionate about uplifting her community into leadership roles for projects and initiatives that leave lasting impacts for their socioeconomic empowerment and advancement. She is steadfast in the belief that calirpagpegnak unangenaituten—"without dedicated hard work, you will not gain anything."
Qussauyaq Regina Therchik is Yup’ik and was raised in Toksook Bay as an enrolled member of the Nunakauyarmiut Tribe. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History from the College of St.Benedict as a first-generation college student.
As a Workforce Development Specialist and proud Shareholder employee at Calista Corporation, she is committed to increasing employment, education, and training benefits to Calista Shareholders and Descendants. She coordinates a robust summer internship program, assists with Yukon-Kuskokwim workforce development initiatives, and builds transformational partnerships with other Native organizations. She also created a corporate culture training that aims to educate employees on the history and culture of Calista Shareholders. Prior to working at Calista Corporation, Regina started her career as an intern at their Yulista Holding, LLC subsidiary where she was later hired and developed skills in aerospace quality, earning an AS9100D Lead Auditor Certification.
She is passionate about uplifting her community into leadership roles for projects and initiatives that leave lasting impacts for their socioeconomic empowerment and advancement. She is steadfast in the belief that calirpagpegnak unangenaituten—"without dedicated hard work, you will not gain anything."
Rosanne Pletnikoff, Director
Rosanne Pletnikoff is Unangax, born and raised in King Cove, Alaska. Her mother was raised in Sand Point Alaska and her Dad from King Cove Alaska. She attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) for her undergraduate degree in business and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) for her Masters of Business Administration (MBA.) She started working in the Providence Health System shortly after graduation. She received her PHR in 2014 and SHRM-CP when the program was created. She has 12 years in the HR field and currently work at the King Cove Corporations 8(a) Delta Point LLC. She has a 4 year old daughter with her husband and enjoys sharing their culture and arts with her.
Rosanne Pletnikoff is Unangax, born and raised in King Cove, Alaska. Her mother was raised in Sand Point Alaska and her Dad from King Cove Alaska. She attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) for her undergraduate degree in business and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) for her Masters of Business Administration (MBA.) She started working in the Providence Health System shortly after graduation. She received her PHR in 2014 and SHRM-CP when the program was created. She has 12 years in the HR field and currently work at the King Cove Corporations 8(a) Delta Point LLC. She has a 4 year old daughter with her husband and enjoys sharing their culture and arts with her.
Ruth Wolfe, Director
Ruth is an Alaska Native Yup’ik with family ties to Nightmute and Perryville. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. As a Business Advisor at the Alaska Small Business Development Center, she assists small businesses with financial analysis, business plans, marketing strategies, and research support. With a passion for Indigenous advocacy, Ruth works to enhance the community and cultivate sustainable growth for the next generation. Ruth grew up in Seward and married her high school sweetheart. They are currently residing in the Mat-Su with beautiful mountains in their backyard. When she’s not helping businesses grow, she's doing pilates, creating art, skiing down slopes, or indulging in the power of a great book.
Ruth is an Alaska Native Yup’ik with family ties to Nightmute and Perryville. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. As a Business Advisor at the Alaska Small Business Development Center, she assists small businesses with financial analysis, business plans, marketing strategies, and research support. With a passion for Indigenous advocacy, Ruth works to enhance the community and cultivate sustainable growth for the next generation. Ruth grew up in Seward and married her high school sweetheart. They are currently residing in the Mat-Su with beautiful mountains in their backyard. When she’s not helping businesses grow, she's doing pilates, creating art, skiing down slopes, or indulging in the power of a great book.
Megan Johnson, Director
Megan was born and raised in Anchorage and is Yupik and her family is originally from Dillingham and Emmonak. Megan is currently the Business Retention and Expansion Program Manager with the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. She holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from UAA. Outside of work, Megan volunteers as a foster parent for dogs with Best Friends Animal Rescue and coaches the East High gymnastics team. Her and her partner have two dogs and spend as much time outdoors and travel as they can.
Megan was born and raised in Anchorage and is Yupik and her family is originally from Dillingham and Emmonak. Megan is currently the Business Retention and Expansion Program Manager with the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. She holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from UAA. Outside of work, Megan volunteers as a foster parent for dogs with Best Friends Animal Rescue and coaches the East High gymnastics team. Her and her partner have two dogs and spend as much time outdoors and travel as they can.
Jeran Pelagio, Director
Jeran Pelagio (Inupiaq), born and raised in Anchorage, AK, is an enrolled member of the Curyung Tribe and is a shareholder of both Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) and Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) with roots from White Mountain and Dillingham. Graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fort Lewis College, Jeran continued his education and received his Master of Arts in Global Affairs from the University of Denver. After living, studying and working in the lower 48 for almost 10 years, Jeran transitioned back to Alaska in 2020 in order to serve and give back to the people and organizations that helped him get to where he is today. Currently, Jeran serves as a Contamination Support Program Coordinator for the Community Environment and Health department under the Division of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) where he assists tribes with cleaning up hazardous and contaminated lands through a variety of programs.
Jeran Pelagio (Inupiaq), born and raised in Anchorage, AK, is an enrolled member of the Curyung Tribe and is a shareholder of both Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) and Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) with roots from White Mountain and Dillingham. Graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fort Lewis College, Jeran continued his education and received his Master of Arts in Global Affairs from the University of Denver. After living, studying and working in the lower 48 for almost 10 years, Jeran transitioned back to Alaska in 2020 in order to serve and give back to the people and organizations that helped him get to where he is today. Currently, Jeran serves as a Contamination Support Program Coordinator for the Community Environment and Health department under the Division of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) where he assists tribes with cleaning up hazardous and contaminated lands through a variety of programs.