"Make it Monday" forum - Anchorage Women Business Leaders

As we approach Women's Equality Day, we take a look at how women have advanced in the business community in Anchorage. Nationally, change is happening, and Alaskan women are leading the way. However, women are still struggling in key areas that can have weighty impacts on business growth and outcomes.

In this program, we will discuss the achievements, gaps, hurdles, and resources for women in the Anchorage business ecosystem.

PLUS, Colleen Fisk, Energy Education Director, will give a quick update on the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) and invite you to their upcoming Anniversary Celebration.
 

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GRETCHEN FAUSKE
A marketing minded economic developer fueled by a passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business, Gretchen is the associate director for the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development. She is responsible for leading the entrepreneurship, marketing, and outreach efforts of CED as well as providing strategic leadership for both CED and the UAA Business Enterprise Institute. Prior to joining CED, she worked in the State of Alaska Division of Economic Development, for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, and in the private sector. From this experience, she developed keen insight to private, political, and governmental drivers and their impact on the economy. Gretchen has worked on a number of award-winning economic development projects, spoken at TEDx Anchorage, and was named to Alaska’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Whitman College, is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach, and earned her “Foundations in Design Thinking” certification from IDEO in 2018. Gretchen serves on the boards of Launch Alaska and the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, and previously served on the Municipality of Anchorage Library Advisory Board.


KIMBERLY WALLER
Kimberly was born in Fairbanks and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She began her broadcast career in her home state prior to working for MTV Networks and IHeartMedia in New York City. Through her work in public affairs, Kim has partnered with some of the best-known nonprofits in the country to include Sing For Hope, God’s Love We Deliver, Aids Walk NYC, New York Public Library, Fresh Air Fund, YWCA and more. Kim holds a B.A. in Mass Media from New York University and an A.L.M. in Journalism from Harvard University.  She returned to Alaska with her family in 2018 to launch Women’s Power League of Alaska.



LYDIA GRIFFEY
A sector leader with more than 20 years of experience, Lydia was born and raised in Alaska, and she’s responsible for the Alaska teams’ strategic planning in both the buildings and infrastructure practices. In her role as sector leader, she cherishes the opportunity to work with Alaska Native tribes, corporations, and businesses. It’s an opportunity to learn from traditions and approaches to business based on thousands of years of history and to learn how our teams can help build and foster local communities. With her participation as a board member for the Anchorage Community Development Authority and the 49th State Angel Fund, Lydia is committed to furthering Alaska’s economy. She’s also vice chair of Alaska Resource Education and a member of the Anchorage Downtown Rotary. As a member of Stantec’s US Inclusion and Diversity Council, Lydia helped launch our Alaska Native Partnership Program. To Lydia, inclusion and diversity means being able to be yourself every day—to stop worrying about traditional boundaries and to offer your best skills and talents without holding back. Celebrating her roots every summer, Lydia and her family go on a two-week sockeye salmon fishing trip at the mouth of the Kenai River. There, they fill their souls and their freezers simultaneously.

 

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Deadline to register online is 5 pm the Friday directly preceding the forum. But tickets are available at the door, day-of, to purchase.

Cancellation Note: There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. To receive a full refund, registration must be canceled no less than two business days prior to the date of the event. No refunds will be given after this date. All registrations are transferable to another person upon your request.