ANSI Leadership
Alaska Native Women Guiding Our Universities
These Alaska Native Women lead the Alaska Native Success Initiative at our Universities and System Office:
Action Team Lead: Â鶹´«Ã½A
Â鶹´«Ã½A Executive Director of Alaska Native Education and Outreach
Action Team Lead: Â鶹´«Ã½F
Â鶹´«Ã½F Associate Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education
Dr. Jessica Black is Gwich’in from the villages of Gwichyaa Zhee (Ft. Yukon) and Toghotthele (Nenana), Alaska. Dr. Black currently serves as an Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Professor in the College of Rural and Community Development at the Â鶹´«Ã½ Fairbanks. Dr. Black received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) at Â鶹´«Ã½F and her master’s degree and PhD in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Her dissertation and current research examine the relationship between governance and well-being among Alaska Native peoples, especially as it pertains to Tribal Stewardship and Cultural Connectivity.
As Associate Vice Chancellor of CRCD Dr. Black helps to elevate and support the work of the Alaska Success Initiative, the building out of the Indigenous Studies Center, and the priorities of the Vice Chancellor of CRCD.
In September 2023, the Unviersity of Alaska Foundation Board of Directors awarded Dr. Black the 2023 Bullock Prize in recognition of her service to the Â鶹´«Ã½ system. The Bullock Prize is awarded annually to a member of the university community in recognition that a truly great university grows as a result of personal commitments to excellence. The Prize is the most prestigious award presented by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Foundation each year.
Jessica resides in Fairbanks, Alaska with her family, however, she frequently returns home to Gwichyaa Zhee to hunt, fish, gather and engage in other, important cultural practices.
Action Team Lead: Â鶹´«Ã½S
Â鶹´«Ã½S Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programs & Director, PITAAS
Senior Advisor: ANSI
Â鶹´«Ã½ Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior Advisor for the Alaska Native Success Initiative
Dahl previously served as the Senior Director of Human Resources and Administration at Koniag, Inc, the Alaska regional corporation serving the Kodiak Island area. She also held HR leadership positions at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, The Aleut Corporation, and First Alaskans Institute.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree from Â鶹´«Ã½A, she holds a master’s in human resources management from the Keller Graduate School of Management at Devry University and PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification. She is Alaska Native and a Shareholder of The Aleut Corporation. She was born and raised in Sand Point, Alaska. She is the daughter of Steve and Sharon Hakala and Stanley Mack of Sand Point.
Senior Director, Alaska Native Success and Partnerships
Â鶹´«Ã½, System Office
Â鶹´«Ã½A alumna Kristel Komakhuk was selected to serve as the system’s Senior Director of Alaska Native Success and partnerships. Starting December 4, 2023 Komakhuk is based in Anchorage, and committed to annually travels to Fairbanks and other locations around Alaska. In this role, she will help to guide and support the implementation of the Alaska Native Success Initiative (ANSI) Strategic Plan. She will also focus on strengthening relationships between Â鶹´«Ã½ and Alaska Native partners.
Kristel is of Alutiiq and Inupiaq descent, and was born and raised in Anchorage on Dena’ina Athabascan land. Her maternal family is from Tatitlek, and her paternal family is from the Nome area; her Grandma would identify from her home fish camp in Solomon. A first-generation graduate on both sides of her family, she is a proud Â鶹´«Ã½ alum, holding a B.B.A. in Business Management from Â鶹´«Ã½A.
Prior to joining Â鶹´«Ã½, Kristel worked at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) as the APU Senior Liaison for Development and External Relationships. In that role, she aided APU in its journey toward indigenization by developing and maintaining relationships, and liaising with external entities. She’s also served on Shell Exploration & Production Company’s stakeholder management team, and as the Development Director at First Alaskans Institute. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, reading, cooking, yoga, and appreciating Alaska’s beauty on hikes and walks.