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.
Darla Graham, Chair
Darla Graham was born and raised in Anchor Point and Homer, Alaska. She is a CIRI Shareholder and Ninilchik Tribal Member. Her grandmother, Mary Johnson, was Yup’ik and born and raised in St. Michael. Her grandfather, James Graham, came from Blackfoot Indian heritage. Her maternal side is Dutch, and Darla is dedicated to learning about her culture and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures in Alaska.
She holds a bachelor’s in business management and is a graduate of the Alaska Native Executive Leadership program at APU and received her Executive MBA with an emphasis on strategic leadership in 2023
Darla has worked for CIRI since 2014 and currently serves as Director of Shareholder and Descendent Programs. In this role she oversees the strategic approach CIRI takes towards maintaining relevancy and fostering relationships with Shareholders and Descendants through youth programming, communications, cultural education, and leadership development initiatives. She also works closely with the Tikahtnu Forum, which brings together all Tribes, Non-Profits, and Village Corporations in the CIRI region.
Darla Graham was born and raised in Anchor Point and Homer, Alaska. She is a CIRI Shareholder and Ninilchik Tribal Member. Her grandmother, Mary Johnson, was Yup’ik and born and raised in St. Michael. Her grandfather, James Graham, came from Blackfoot Indian heritage. Her maternal side is Dutch, and Darla is dedicated to learning about her culture and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures in Alaska.
She holds a bachelor’s in business management and is a graduate of the Alaska Native Executive Leadership program at APU and received her Executive MBA with an emphasis on strategic leadership in 2023
Darla has worked for CIRI since 2014 and currently serves as Director of Shareholder and Descendent Programs. In this role she oversees the strategic approach CIRI takes towards maintaining relevancy and fostering relationships with Shareholders and Descendants through youth programming, communications, cultural education, and leadership development initiatives. She also works closely with the Tikahtnu Forum, which brings together all Tribes, Non-Profits, and Village Corporations in the CIRI region.
Krysten Demientieff, Vice 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.
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. In 2021, she became a Certified Digital Marketing Professional through the American Marketing Association and the Digital Marketing Institute.
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.
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. In 2021, she became a Certified Digital Marketing Professional through the American Marketing Association and the Digital Marketing Institute.
Zachery Dunlap, Treasurer
Zach was born and raised in Anchorage, and his family is originally from Nome. Zach is currently the Operations Manager at Doyon, Limited, and has worked in various roles within the Doyon Family of Companies for the past 15 years. He holds an MBA from Alaska Pacific University and a BBA in management with a minor in Alaska Native business management from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Zach is also a graduate of the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program (ANELP) at APU. Zach and his wife have a daughter and two dogs and enjoy spending time together outdoors. If he’s not in the office or on the golf course, you can find him and his family hunting, fishing, or chasing their daughter around the gymnastics mat.
Zach was born and raised in Anchorage, and his family is originally from Nome. Zach is currently the Operations Manager at Doyon, Limited, and has worked in various roles within the Doyon Family of Companies for the past 15 years. He holds an MBA from Alaska Pacific University and a BBA in management with a minor in Alaska Native business management from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Zach is also a graduate of the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program (ANELP) at APU. Zach and his wife have a daughter and two dogs and enjoy spending time together outdoors. If he’s not in the office or on the golf course, you can find him and his family hunting, fishing, or chasing their daughter around the gymnastics mat.
Erin Messmer, Secretary
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.
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.
Anthony Lekanof, Director
Anthony is an Aleut Corporation and Doyon Limited shareholder and was born and raised in St. George Island.
Anthony was elected to his first term on the TAC Board in 2020. Currently, he serves on the Shareholder Affairs, Fisheries, and Lands, Resource & Real Estate Committees and 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 business development for a renewable energy firm, 60Hertz Energy. Anthony is currently an Account Coordinator for Northwest Strategies and is assigned to small business, non-profits and several Alaska Native organizations.
Anthony is an Aleut Corporation and Doyon Limited shareholder and was born and raised in St. George Island.
Anthony was elected to his first term on the TAC Board in 2020. Currently, he serves on the Shareholder Affairs, Fisheries, and Lands, Resource & Real Estate Committees and 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 business development for a renewable energy firm, 60Hertz Energy. Anthony is currently an Account Coordinator for Northwest Strategies and is assigned to small business, non-profits and several Alaska Native organizations.
Ruth Wolfe, Director
Ruth is an Alaska Native Yup’ik — enrolled member of Umkumiut Tribal Village, and a shareholder in both Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Calista Native Corporation. She is a first-generation college student and has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. As a Commercial Real Estate Associate she works with small businesses and corporations in buying, selling, or leasing real estate in Alaska. 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.
Ruth is an Alaska Native Yup’ik — enrolled member of Umkumiut Tribal Village, and a shareholder in both Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Calista Native Corporation. She is a first-generation college student and has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. As a Commercial Real Estate Associate she works with small businesses and corporations in buying, selling, or leasing real estate in Alaska. 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.
Vincent Tomalonis, Director
Raised with a rich Inupiaq heritage from White Mountain, AK, Vincent is a University of Alaska Anchorage Sociology graduate and holds a Business Administration degree from the Alaska Pacific University. He currently works at Big Rays and an esteemed law firm. Previously, Vincent supervised interns at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and collected invaluable data at UAA about Native student experiences. His dedication to the community extends to being Treasurer for both UAA's Native Student Council and APU's Indigenous Student Association. Outside of work, he enjoys biking Alaska's scenic trails and savoring movie nights with friends. As a first-generation college graduate, Vincent is committed to uplifting Alaska Native communities, drawing inspiration from his decade-long membership with ANPA.
Raised with a rich Inupiaq heritage from White Mountain, AK, Vincent is a University of Alaska Anchorage Sociology graduate and holds a Business Administration degree from the Alaska Pacific University. He currently works at Big Rays and an esteemed law firm. Previously, Vincent supervised interns at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and collected invaluable data at UAA about Native student experiences. His dedication to the community extends to being Treasurer for both UAA's Native Student Council and APU's Indigenous Student Association. Outside of work, he enjoys biking Alaska's scenic trails and savoring movie nights with friends. As a first-generation college graduate, Vincent is committed to uplifting Alaska Native communities, drawing inspiration from his decade-long membership with ANPA.