Board - Camp Fire Alaska

I'm grateful to continue to serve the Camp Fire Alaska community and positively impact youth across Alaska! The last six years have been the biggest privilege to me, as I volunteered alongside talented and dedicated professionals who make the Alaskan community better by being committed to the Camp Fire Alaska mission. Last summer, my daughter experienced “camp life” at Camp Fireweed, and I saw her blossom as she benefited from CFA’s thoughtful and impactful programming. CFA “walks the walk” and its values shine through in every interaction with youth, families, and the community. Youth are our future, and with Camp Fire’s support, their future SPARKS brightly.

I am committed to continuing to support Camp Fire’s mission to provide meaningful experiences for all children and to do so with an approach that includes the natural environment and diversity, equity and inclusion. I find the work of the staff to be very high quality and inspiring, both locally in Anchorage and in Camp Fire’s rural program. I’m a supporter of Camp Fire as a donor and as a parent of a child who has thoroughly enjoyed after care and full-day care programs and will hopefully prepare for Camp K one day soon. Joining the Camp Fire Board of Directors has allowed me to deepen my connection to the excellent staff and fellow board members and I look forward to serving a second term on the board.

I’m honored to support an organization that helps make children, and parents, feel safe, valued, and supported. I’m an Alaskan-born-and-raised marketing professional currently serving as the Director of Marketing and Communications for NMS (NANA Management Services). As a lifelong Alaskan, I’ve always been familiar with Camp Fire but now, as a mother and aunt of a camper, I know the organization on a personal level. I’m so grateful to access to programs like Camp Fire as it not only enables my son to discover the best in himself but also our family. To me nothing is more important than family (given or created), and I see CFA as an organization that lives that value. If I can help be a part of any Alaskan child feeling safe, valued and supported, I will know it was time and effort well spent.

I am honored and humbled to be part of Camp Fire Alaska, to help with its mission and to be part of the solution for so many Alaska families who rely on CFA programs and activities. I am vested in our community and state. I am passionate about helping families of all backgrounds succeed in raising great kids. As a past volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, I have seen firsthand the need for childcare support and enriching activities for kids. I have seen the glaring need for more support for families, especially as we emerge from the Corona virus pandemic. I’m ready to focus my energies on our youth and I’m ready to get to work in support of the local and statewide programming that the amazing staff at Camp Fire execute each year.

During my first term on the board I have seen how impactful Camp Fire programs are in our community and I am continually inspired by the commitment and dedication of the staff. I believe in Camp Fire’s mission to provide children with a safe, fun, and educational environment and I am inspired by the staff leadership’s ability and willingness to adapt and grow programs to meet our community needs. I am especially eager to continue to support the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work the agency and board have undertaken.

Melanie (Mel) was born and raised on a small family farm in Ohio and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with her B.A. in Zoology/Anthropology. She has been with Camp Fire Alaska since 2011, coming from a diverse background in nonprofit youth development and community programming. Mel brings with her almost two decades of leadership experience with programs ranging from outdoor education and recreation, childcare, summer camps, and community-based programs. In her past roles as Rural Program Director and Chief Operations Officer, she spent over a decade working in partnership with Alaska Native communities in rural Alaska to develop and deliver culturally relevant youth and intergenerational programs. In her free time, Mel enjoys gardening, bee-keeping, hiking, fishing, harvesting wild edibles, crafting, and spending time with her husband and two huskies outdoors in Alaska.

I moved to Alaska for my first career as a high school science teacher almost 20 years ago. Though I wasn’t a Camp Fire kid my parents worked long hours and my brother and I attended the same community afterschool and summer camp through elementary and middle school. I later worked there as a counselor through high school and college. Awkward and nerdy Caitlin probably wouldn’t have thrived without my years there, and it was one of my inspirations to pursue teaching. My teaching career may have been short lived (who convinced me teaching 150+ teenagers/day fresh out of college was a good idea?!), but I have remained passionate about ensuring all kids have access to safe and supportive spaces. I've participated in several women's retreats and am eager to help Camp Fire continue to provide quality services to Alaskan kids.

I am drawn to Camp Fire Alaska for the mission and vision. I am so impressed to see the impact Camp Fire has on our youth and for how many years the organization has been serving Alaskan families. I am a born and raised Alaskan and have been working in Human Resources at JL Properties and am currently back in school pursuing a masters in Clinic Mental Health Counseling. I would love the opportunity to volunteer my time and use my professional resources to help support the mission of Camp Fire Alaska.

I'm a lifelong Alaskan raising my three kids in Anchorage, where you can usually find me at the ice rink cheering them on in their recreational hockey games. As a working mom, I’ve seen firsthand the impact Camp Fire Alaska’s school and summer programs have on families like mine. The mission to provide a fun, safe environment for kids to discover themselves is so important to our community, and I’m excited to join the Camp Fire Alaska Board of Directors to support this mission.

I have over two decades of experience in government contract accounting with Alaska Native Corporations, and I’m currently the Vice President of Finance with Bering Straits Native Corporation. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Alaska Anchorage. I’m known for my analytical mindset, leadership, and dedication to building strong financial strategies that support both business goals and the people behind them.

As a life-long Alaska, and a mother of two elementary age children I have a deep passion for helping children in the Alaskan community succeed. One of my children has several learning disabilities and that drives me to build up every child in our community. I see Camp Fire Alaska as an integral part of raising strong, confident, and resilient kids in our community. I am very passionate about helping and believe that in all aspects of life we should build relationships and find ways to serve those around us. I look forward to being a part of an organization that teaches the children in our community to find the best in themselves while having fun at the same time!

Camp Fire’s mission and core values are in alignment with my passions, interests and professional beliefs. Supporting Alaska’s youth in their social emotional growth and health is essential for a healthy community and Camp Fire is doing this important work. I’m honored to be part of an organization which strives to light the fire within our youth. I value community service and feel it is important to be involved on many different levels and I welcome the opportunity to serve a second term on the board.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board of Camp Fire Alaska and support its mission to help youth thrive. As a former camper myself, I know the lasting impact that time spent in nature, connection, and self-discovery can have. That connection was reignited during the Wild Women Retreat, where I saw firsthand how Camp Fire continues to create meaningful experiences for Alaskans of all ages. As a business owner, community volunteer, and graduate student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, I’m passionate about giving back and creating opportunities for all youth to feel empowered, included, and inspired. I’m honored to be part of this incredible organization and look forward to helping build a strong future for Camp Fire Alaska and the families it serves.

Jenifer Nelson was raised in King Cove, Alaska and has a unique understanding of the profound impact that reliable connectivity brings to rural communities. She is a leading member of GCI’s Rural Affairs Committee and GCI’s Arctic working group. Prior to joining GCI, Jenifer worked at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council, a nonprofit. Jenifer’s insight into Alaska Native culture has earned her positions on a number of boards and committees including the Arctic Council’s Task Force on Telecommunications in the Arctic She was also appointed to the Arctic Economic Council to represent the Aleut International Association and serves as the Vice Chair of the Aleut Corporation Board of Directors. Jennifer has two children enrolled in Camp Fire.

I am honored to join the Camp Fire Board, as I believe as an organization it aligns well with my core values, beliefs, and passion. I believe the work Camp Fire does to support youth is beneficial for the whole community and as such would love to be part of continuing to drive their mission. I have recently moved back to Alaska having lived here previously for 6 years, as we wanted our kids to grow up in this outdoor oriented environment with a strong sense of community. I am currently the Subsurface Services Manager at ConocoPhillips and have a strong STEM background and passion. My kids have been fortunate enough to attend some of the Camp Fire programs and so I have seen the direct positive impact they can have and want to help to bring opportunities for other youth to have these experiences also.

board of directors

Katherine Burrill

Adrianna Muir

Kaylee Devine

Ruth Rosewarne Kimerer

Kevin Lubbers

Amanda Biddle

Mel Hooper

Caitlin Bergin

Emily Clark

Hannah Kelley

Anna Kohler

Shannon Metrokin

Jen Motyka

Jenifer Nelson

Georgina Scorer