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.
Regina Therchik, Vice Chair
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."
Crystal Kowalke, Treasurer
Crystal Kowalke is a project professional with over 15 years of experience in logistics, supply chain operations, project management, and procurement. She has held leadership roles across Alaska Native corporations and construction companies, including work with ASRC, Chugach Government Solutions, NANA Construction, and Azachorok Incorporated. Crystal currently serves as Vice President of Professional Development for PMI Alaska, where she develops value-add programs to advance professional growth.
She is completing her Master of Science in Project Management and pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in Business Analytics and Intelligence at the University of Alaska Anchorage. An outdoorswoman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and exploring, Crystal is passionate about supporting Alaska Native professionals in building meaningful careers and contributing to their communities.
Crystal Kowalke is a project professional with over 15 years of experience in logistics, supply chain operations, project management, and procurement. She has held leadership roles across Alaska Native corporations and construction companies, including work with ASRC, Chugach Government Solutions, NANA Construction, and Azachorok Incorporated. Crystal currently serves as Vice President of Professional Development for PMI Alaska, where she develops value-add programs to advance professional growth.
She is completing her Master of Science in Project Management and pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in Business Analytics and Intelligence at the University of Alaska Anchorage. An outdoorswoman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and exploring, Crystal is passionate about supporting Alaska Native professionals in building meaningful careers and contributing to their communities.
Jessi Walker, Secretary
Jessi Walker is an Administrative Assistant at Brilliant Media Strategies, a strategic advertising and communications agency in Anchorage. She is Gwich’in and Koyukon Athabascan, and her family comes from Beaver, Ruby, and Fairbanks. Though raised in the Seattle area, Jessi recently moved to Anchorage to reconnect with family and community.
She brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit to her work and volunteer service. A member of the Anchorage Chamber Young Professionals Group, Jessi is passionate about building connections within the Alaska Native community and contributing to the growth and success of ANPA.
Jessi Walker is an Administrative Assistant at Brilliant Media Strategies, a strategic advertising and communications agency in Anchorage. She is Gwich’in and Koyukon Athabascan, and her family comes from Beaver, Ruby, and Fairbanks. Though raised in the Seattle area, Jessi recently moved to Anchorage to reconnect with family and community.
She brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit to her work and volunteer service. A member of the Anchorage Chamber Young Professionals Group, Jessi is passionate about building connections within the Alaska Native community and contributing to the growth and success of ANPA.
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.
Tim “Tanukaq” Lee, Director
Tim Lee was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He is a Calista shareholder and his maternal family roots are from Napakiak, Alaska. Tim attended Colorado School of Mines, earning a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering. He worked at BP as an engineer in Alaska for 11 years, both in Anchorage and on the North Slope. He also has experience as a teacher in Nevada and is a published freelance writer. Upon returning to Alaska in 2022, Tim worked as Project Director for Calista Education and Culture, Inc., overseeing a USDOE grant-funded project, Take Wing “Tengluni”, which promoted postsecondary education for Calista-region students. After Calista, he worked as Operations Manager of Hooper Bay Subregional Clinic for YKHC. Tim currently works as a Project Manager for Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium since 2024. Outside of work, Tim is an avid soccer fan and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, and traveling.
Tim Lee was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He is a Calista shareholder and his maternal family roots are from Napakiak, Alaska. Tim attended Colorado School of Mines, earning a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering. He worked at BP as an engineer in Alaska for 11 years, both in Anchorage and on the North Slope. He also has experience as a teacher in Nevada and is a published freelance writer. Upon returning to Alaska in 2022, Tim worked as Project Director for Calista Education and Culture, Inc., overseeing a USDOE grant-funded project, Take Wing “Tengluni”, which promoted postsecondary education for Calista-region students. After Calista, he worked as Operations Manager of Hooper Bay Subregional Clinic for YKHC. Tim currently works as a Project Manager for Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium since 2024. Outside of work, Tim is an avid soccer fan and enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, and traveling.
Brittany “Ang’naciyaq” Vo, Director
Brittany Vo (Yup'ik) was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, with deep roots from her community of St. Mary's, Alaska. She is a tribal member of Yupiit of Andreafski and a shareholder of Calista Corporation. Brittany currently serves as the Fab Lab Program Manager in the Youth Education Department at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, where she leads programs that bridge Alaska Native culture with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) for students in grades K-12.
She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage and later completed her M.A. in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Brittany is deeply committed to uplifting the Alaska Native community that raised her.
Brittany Vo (Yup'ik) was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, with deep roots from her community of St. Mary's, Alaska. She is a tribal member of Yupiit of Andreafski and a shareholder of Calista Corporation. Brittany currently serves as the Fab Lab Program Manager in the Youth Education Department at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, where she leads programs that bridge Alaska Native culture with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) for students in grades K-12.
She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage and later completed her M.A. in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Brittany is deeply committed to uplifting the Alaska Native community that raised her.
Julie Dunlap, Director
Julie is the Administrative Services Director at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), where she leads corporate operations, event coordination, and employee engagement initiatives, and oversees corporate administrative functions. In her role, she partners closely with senior leadership to advance strategic priorities while fostering a strong and connected workplace culture. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Alaska Native Business Management.
Julie’s family is originally from Utqiaġvik and Nome, Alaska, and she now resides in Anchorage with her husband and two young children. When she’s not at work, you can find her outside enjoying the great outdoors that Alaska has to offer — hunting, fishing, berry picking, or hiking. She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen community, celebrate culture, and support the next generation of Alaska Native leaders.
Julie is the Administrative Services Director at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), where she leads corporate operations, event coordination, and employee engagement initiatives, and oversees corporate administrative functions. In her role, she partners closely with senior leadership to advance strategic priorities while fostering a strong and connected workplace culture. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Alaska Native Business Management.
Julie’s family is originally from Utqiaġvik and Nome, Alaska, and she now resides in Anchorage with her husband and two young children. When she’s not at work, you can find her outside enjoying the great outdoors that Alaska has to offer — hunting, fishing, berry picking, or hiking. She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen community, celebrate culture, and support the next generation of Alaska Native leaders.