board of directors

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.

As a 16 year “parent veteran” of Camp Fire programs I was honored to join the board in 2014. With four children, I know first-hand how Camp Fire’s school and summer programs help working parents. I have seen the positive impact Camp Fire had on my kids. As a board mem­ber, I have seen the dedication of the staff in empowering each youth they come in contact with. I have also learned how Camp Fire drives programs that meet the needs of the most at-risk kids both in our community and around the state. It is a privilege to continue with this group of professionals in guiding the direction of such a premiere organization, and I hope to continue to contribute and give back as much as Camp Fire has given me and my family.

I offer my services to continue as a board member for Camp Fire Alaska. Now more than ever, during these challenging times, Camp Fire will need the support of the board and community to help fulfill its mission that “every child will have the opportunity to discover the best in themselves and others in a fun, safe, learning environment”.

I continue to be inspired by the dedication and professionalism of our staff, team and partners. I will continue to strive to give as much as I have received over my past two terms on the board.

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 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.

I believe that Camp Fire as an organization and all of its programs are invaluable to the State of Alaska. Building caring, confident youth and future leaders in a way that is respectful and honors each person’s background and individuality is a cornerstone of a community that I would want to raise my kids in. I want to help manifest a future that is bright and hopeful for every young person.

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.

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.

I am honored at the chance to contribute meaningfully to the mission and vision of Camp Fire Alaska. As a recent retiree from the United States Air Force with over 30 years of service, I witnessed firsthand the invaluable support that organizations like Camp Fire Alaska provide, not only to service members and their families, but to Alaskans as a whole. On a personal level, my daughter’s wonderful experience at Camp K, where she made lifelong friends, further fueled my passion for this organization. I am dedicated to investing in people and fostering resilience. I look forward to leveraging my experience to support and advance Camp Fire Alaska’s mission while working alongside the amazing staff and fellow board members to make a positive impact on our community.

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 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.

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!

Thank you for allowing me to serve such a great organization like Camp Fire Alaska. I am grateful and honored. I have lived in Alaska for eight years and currently serve as the Land Manager for ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. I believe my personal values and goals as a father of three align with the mission and core values of Camp Fire Alaska. I work hard every day to provide the best opportunities for my children and am excited to put that same energy into serving the Alaska community I love so much. In my mind there is no better way than to help support families and youth by providing safe learning opportunities to help enable every child to be their best selves!

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.  

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.