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 CEO 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 CEO 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.
Ruth Wolfe, Treasurer
Ruth is 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. She is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. As the Rural Center Director 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. 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 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. She is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. As the Rural Center Director 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. 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.
Regina Therchik, Secretary
Qussauyaq Regina Therchik, is Yup’ik from Toksook Bay and an enrolled member of the Nunakauyarmiut Tribe, who has earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the College of St. Benedict as a first-generation college graduate.
As Workforce Shareholder Development Manager at Calista Corporation, she enhances employment, education, and training opportunities for Calista Shareholders and Descendants. Her work includes coordinating internships, apprenticeship programs, and YK workforce initiatives, fostering partnerships with Native organizations, and developing a corporate cultural training on Calista Shareholder history and culture. She also serves on the board of directors for Alaska EXCEL, which offers Alaska’s rural students with career and technical education opportunities. Passionate about uplifting her community into leadership roles, Regina is guided by the belief, calirpagpegnak unangenaituten—"without dedicated hard work, you will not gain anything."
Qussauyaq Regina Therchik, is Yup’ik from Toksook Bay and an enrolled member of the Nunakauyarmiut Tribe, who has earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the College of St. Benedict as a first-generation college graduate.
As Workforce Shareholder Development Manager at Calista Corporation, she enhances employment, education, and training opportunities for Calista Shareholders and Descendants. Her work includes coordinating internships, apprenticeship programs, and YK workforce initiatives, fostering partnerships with Native organizations, and developing a corporate cultural training on Calista Shareholder history and culture. She also serves on the board of directors for Alaska EXCEL, which offers Alaska’s rural students with career and technical education opportunities. Passionate about uplifting her community into leadership roles, Regina is guided by the belief, 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.
Anthony Lekanof, Director
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.
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.
Danielle "Aliiraq" Larsgaard, Director
Danielle is an Inupiaq from the Bristol Bay Region who strives to dive into the communities she serves as the Resource Basket Manager for RurAL CAP providing Training and Technical Assistance to Alaskan Tribes. She also enjoys traveling to the rural communities offering cultural classes to tribes through the state with her art studio Aliiraq Arts. Danielle enjoys spending time studying Alaskan Native history to try incorporate culture in her work and education systems to better serve our youth. Majority of her work background is in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault counseling and advocacy, along with branching out to Behavoiral Health and recovery services. Along with many hats in the community she continues to take time off to commercial fish in the summer with her family and enjoys being home to subsist and gather traditionally.
Danielle is an Inupiaq from the Bristol Bay Region who strives to dive into the communities she serves as the Resource Basket Manager for RurAL CAP providing Training and Technical Assistance to Alaskan Tribes. She also enjoys traveling to the rural communities offering cultural classes to tribes through the state with her art studio Aliiraq Arts. Danielle enjoys spending time studying Alaskan Native history to try incorporate culture in her work and education systems to better serve our youth. Majority of her work background is in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault counseling and advocacy, along with branching out to Behavoiral Health and recovery services. Along with many hats in the community she continues to take time off to commercial fish in the summer with her family and enjoys being home to subsist and gather traditionally.
John Cutter, Director
Born and raised in Alaska, a rural village of less than 1,000 people, John moved to the city of
Anchorage for career opportunities. John has about nine years of accounting professional experience,
obtained bachelor’s degree in accounting and MBA from American Military University, and has
continued to serve his community as Finance Director for Cook Inlet Native Head Start
Born and raised in Alaska, a rural village of less than 1,000 people, John moved to the city of
Anchorage for career opportunities. John has about nine years of accounting professional experience,
obtained bachelor’s degree in accounting and MBA from American Military University, and has
continued to serve his community as Finance Director for Cook Inlet Native Head Start