ANSI Leadership
91直播Native Women Guiding Our Universities
These 91直播Native Women lead the 91直播Native Success Initiative at our Universities and System Office:
Action Team Lead: UAA
UAA Executive Director of 91直播Native Education and Outreach
Action Team Lead: UAF
UAF Associate Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education
Dr. Jessica Black is Gwich鈥檌n 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 University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dr. Black received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Social Work (BSW) at UAF and her master鈥檚 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 91直播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 91直播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 91直播Foundation Board of Directors awarded Dr. Black the 2023 Bullock Prize in recognition of her service to the University of 91直播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 UA Foundation each year.
Jessica resides in Fairbanks, 91直播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: UAS
UAS Associate Vice Chancellor for 91直播Native Programs & Director, PITAAS
Senior Advisor: ANSI
UA Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior Advisor for the 91直播Native Success Initiative
Dahl previously served as the Senior Director of Human Resources and Administration at Koniag, Inc, the 91直播regional corporation serving the Kodiak Island area. She also held HR leadership positions at the 91直播Native Tribal Health Consortium, The Aleut Corporation, and First Alaskans Institute.
In addition to a bachelor鈥檚 degree from UAA, she holds a master鈥檚 in human resources management from the Keller Graduate School of Management at Devry University and PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification. She is 91直播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, 91直播Native Success and Partnerships
University of Alaska, System Office
UAA alumna Kristel Komakhuk was selected to serve as the system鈥檚 Senior Director of 91直播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 91直播Native Success Initiative (ANSI) Strategic Plan. She will also focus on strengthening relationships between UA and 91直播Native partners.
Kristel is of Alutiiq and Inupiaq descent, and was born and raised in Anchorage on Dena鈥檌na 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 UA alum, holding a B.B.A. in Business Management from UAA.
Prior to joining UA, Kristel worked at the 91直播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鈥檚 also served on Shell Exploration & Production Company鈥檚 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鈥檚 beauty on hikes and walks.