2018 Inductees

Denali was born, raised, and educated in Alaska. She grew up in Kasilof in a log cabin on a homestead built by her father. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters in Public Administration, both from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and has spent over twenty years serving Alaska’s interests.

Her work has influenced major initiatives such as renewable energy, health, utilities, professional licensing, criminal justice reform, senior services, education and early childhood development – all with rural and tribal Alaskans in mind. Denali’s professional career began in 1996 when she served as a legislative aide in Juneau. After many other positions, she served ten years at the Denali Commission.

Denali has traveled to hundreds of Alaska villages and communities, leading strategic, often high profile initiatives across the state. In 2012, she founded Denali Daniels & Associates, where her team provides clients with facilitation, strategic planning and policy support.

Amie is a wife, mother of four and grandmother of six. She is on the board of directors for the Miss Amazing Pageant, Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Festival and is founding board member for AKRhinestone. Amie owns Ignite2Motivate and she also works in the Epidemiology Center at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

She is a keynote speaker, a Pioneer of Alaska and a committed volunteer in over 25 organizations. Amie’s passions include connecting, educating and inspiring youth to be involved in their community. Her next chapter includes plans for mission work and hopefully some cross stitch & a good book.

Just a few of her recent accolades include the Distinguished Toastmaster Designation, a Heart of Anchorage Award and a grant from 100+ Women Who Care Anchorage for her family’s birthday project at the Salvation Army McKinnell House. The three words that best describe Amie are overwhelmed, overcommitted and overjoyed!

Mara has already accomplished more in the 30 years since her college graduation than most of us achieve in a lifetime. Her career has focused on ensuring rights and dignity for all Alaskans. She co-founded the Alaska Institute for Justice, the state’s only non-profit agency providing low cost immigration legal services and language access services. Her recent work with the Alaska Court System focused on improving access to justice for Alaskans.

Mara has taught students at UAA, APU and Seattle University’s School of Law and left a long-lasting impact on students and faculty alike. As First Lady of Anchorage, she is involved with several initiatives focused on equity, resilience and combating human trafficking.

Mara’s resume speaks to her many accomplishments thus far, including her service on the Governor’s Climate Action Leadership Team, the State of Alaska’s Tolerance Commission, the Alaska Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award, and the YWCA Women of Achievement Award

Christy is an accomplished associate professor at UAA, where she teaches courses in the College of Business and Public Policy. A scholar in the area of communication, she has delivered presentations at professional and academic conferences and published numerous journal articles. She has contributed to several books and is in the process of writing her own book. One area of her research agenda focuses on women in the workplace and the role of generational communication and experience.

Christy is heavily invested in student success. She ensures students get experience working on community projects and serves as a mentor for students as well as graduates. In 2015, she redesigned UAA’s marketing program to increase its relevance for graduates who will work in a rapidly changing business environment. In the community, she works to be an active collaborator, seeking out opportunities to be a part of a variety of service activities.

Sue empowers girls, and works tirelessly to “develop girls of courage, confidence and character.” As CEO of Girl Scouts of Alaska, Sue has grown membership, increased financial reserves and rebuilt Camp Singing Hills including a girls’ statewide STEM Center.

After high school years in Fairbanks, Sue received degrees from Princeton (Economics), Harvard (MBA), Oxford University (PhD). She was the first Alaska woman to win a Rhodes Scholarship and interned for Congressman Nick Begich and Congressman Don Young. She has a wealth of business expertise from holding significant management and board roles across private, non-profit sectors.

Sue’s volunteering includes the Alaska Community Foundation’s Investment Committee; Princeton University, Board of Trustees; Board of Directors of the American Association of Rhodes Scholars; and Canadian Tire Corporation, Teach Town (improving academic, behavioral, adaptive functioning of students with disabilities). She founded the Southern California Children’s Speed Skating School and was a nationally ranked speed skater.

As an outstanding student at UAA, Beth Stuart was offered a job at KPMG, a global audit and tax firm, even before she graduated. Because of her constant pursuit of excellence, she is now the Managing Partner of KPMG’s Anchorage office. She has had many opportunities throughout her career, even serving as a Professional Practice Senior Manager in the firm’s New York office.

Beth could live anywhere in the world with her company, but she chooses to stay in her home state of Alaska to cultivate young professionals and raise two children. When Beth first started at KPMG, only 20% of the office’s recruits were Alaskans, but through her leadership and innovation, the numbers have flipped; now 80% of the new hires come from Alaska, and four of the five Anchorage partners are UAA graduates. She volunteers her time at Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity and United Way.