YPG "Make it Monday" Takeover - Empowering Alaska Native Young Professionals: Building a Sustainable Future on Indigenous Peoples' Day

Join the Anchorage Chamber’s Young Professionals Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Day for an engaging panel discussion with local leaders who explore the experiences, challenges, and contributions of Indigenous professionals in the business world.

Moderator:

• Michael Fredericks, President + Strategic Engagement, SALT

Panelists:

• Darla Graham, Director of Shareholder and Descendent Programs, CIRI
• Josh Vo, Director of Compliance, Koniag Government Services
• Lexi Trainer, Owner, Yaaruin Consulting
• Britt Lenahan, Environmental Scientist, UMIAQ Environmental

 

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Michael is the President and majority owner of SALT. Born and raised in Anchorage, Michael is an Alaska Native of Yupik descent. Her late father Glenn Fredericks was born in the Kuskokwim region and her late mother Jan Fredericks came to Alaska in the early 60S, after being raised all over the world in a military family. Michael received her Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Washington and her Masters of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Michael has leveraged her architectural training into a specialization in complex stakeholder engagement around design projects. Over her 16 years of experience, Michael’s facilitation services have evolved to include business planning, community engagement, project planning, complex problem solving, organizational planning, action planning, and focused conversations around challenging issues.

A born listener, Michael strongly believes that the most successful initiatives harness collaborative thought and align the solution with the stakeholder – not the other way around. Providing a strong process for stakeholder engagement not only empowers the user, but has proven to result in bottom line savings as well. Michael is adept at helping groups define their unique version of success and provide them with a roadmap to achieve their goals.

Away from the office, Michael lends her strategic thinking as a connector and community activator. Michael’s proudest accomplishment is the family she has created and the eclectic group that call her mom.

Qualifications: Masters of Architecture, Certification in the Technology of Participation
 

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Darla Graham was born and raised in Anchor Point and Homer, Alaska. She is a CIRI Shareholder and an enrolled member of the Ninilchik Village Tribe. Her grandmother, Mary Johnson, was Yup’ik and born and raised in St. Michael, Alaska. Her grandfather, James Graham Sr., came from Blackfeet 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.

Darla holds a bachelor’s in business management and a master’s in business administration from Alaska Pacific University (APU), and is a graduate of the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program at APU.

Darla has worked at CIRI since 2014 and currently serves as Director of Shareholder and Descendant programs.  In this role she oversees the strategic approach CIRI takes towards engaging with its diverse stakeholders, providing unique programs and benefits. Darla is also heavily involved in CIRI’s in-region Tribal relations efforts. In addition to her work with CIRI, Darla currently serves as the Chair of the Alaska Native Professionals Association.

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Lexi Qass'uq Trainer is passionate about culturally enriched marketing and communications strategies. Through her businesses Yaaruin Consulting and Adventure CMO, she is transforming the business sector one client at a time. She blends tradition with innovation, ensuring that her clients offer respectful, insightful, and immersive marketing and communications campaigns. Her latest work through Adventure CMO exists to revolutionize the tourism industry by providing culturally respectful and sustainable marketing strategies that foster growth and enhance audience engagement. Her goal is to pave the way for a new approach to marketing in the tourism industry.
 

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Joshua Vo lives and works in Anchorage, Alaska. He graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School and has his bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Joshua has been working with Koniag, a regional Alaska Native Corporation, and its federal contracting subsidiaries since 2016. Mr. Vo is passionate about Alaska Native affairs and participates in other organizations outside of work like Nerklikmute Native Corporation, the Mount Edgecumbe High School Advisory School Board and the Inuit Circumpolar Council – Alaska.
 

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Britt Lenahan works for UMIAQ Environmental, LLC. as an Environmental Scientist, where she performs field work, interacts and communicates with clients, provides project management and acts as project support for others within her department. Fieldwork

 includes travel to rural communities primarily within the North Slope Borough for site reconnaissance, site characterization, and assistance with RCRA and non-RCRA waste removal hauls. Britt earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences at UAA in 2020. Britt’s previous experience includes work in the mineral exploration industry and environmental laboratory services. Born and raised in Anchorage, AK, Britt enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rollerblading, and skiing.         
 

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UPCOMING FORUMS