2015-2016 Protégés

Graduate Students

Anna Brown

While attending a career fair during her senior year of college, Anna Brown was introduced to her future career in healthcare finance. Upon graduating from Boston College, she began working at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where she quickly learned how she could contribute to the healthcare industry with her Accounting degree. The healthcare industry has allowed her the opportunity to transfer her knowledge and experience to other healthcare facilities throughout the country, from Boston to Texas and now Alaska. In addition to pursuing her Masters in Business Administration, Anna works as the Budget Director for the Alaska Native Medical Center. She is expected to graduate from the University of Alaska Anchorage this fall. Anna plans on using the skills and experiences gained in the MBA program to become a better manager, a mentor to young professionals, and continue to grow as a leader. She spends her free time reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Carla Burkhead

Carla Burkhead was accepted into the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2014. Her graduate school research interests include the biological and ecological impact of public policy on living systems. Her academic interests evolved from her 15 years of business development experience working within the life science and general construction industries. Most recently, Carla was the subcontractor relationship manager and contract liason for LCG Pence general contractors, prior to that, Carla was a physiology laboratory technician at Oregon Health and Science University and data acquisition system specialist with ADInstruments. Carla has experienced life at a variety of different latitudes. After being graduated with honors in Biology from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA she began traversing west and then north. She lived in Labadie, MO; Fort Collins, CO; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA and currently resides in Anchorage, AK. In addition to being a full time graduate student, Carla is also an unabashed advocate for neighborhoods and public schools, she is active in her community council and the past president of Airport Heights Elementary School Parent Teacher Association. Carla finds peace and pleasure in fly-fishing, reading and cycling.
Iuliia Chepurko

Iuliia Chepurko is a Research Technician at the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development (CED). She works on business plans and feasibility studies that contribute to the development of communities across Alaska. She is also doing economic reviews and data analyses for different projects led by CED. Ms. Chepurko is currently a student in the University of Alaska MBA program, and she already holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in International Business and a PhD in Economic Theory from Russian universities.

While building her business career in Russia, Iuliia worked internationally for a Finnish company that had operations outside Russia. She managed projects in the sales department and did budgeting and finance for a year and a half before that. Prior to this position, Iuliia also worked for two years as an international activity manager and purchasing specialist for a Russian manufacturing company. These experiences have provided her with knowledge and skill sets in such fields as purchasing, finance, accounting, sales, and logistics, which are necessary to understand business operations and to make an estimation of a project's feasibility.
Steve Czajkowski

Steven Czajkowski is a board member for the Jeff Hill Legacy Fund. He has served as an officer in the United States Air Force and is currently a patrol officer with the Anchorage Police Department.

Originally from Eglin AFB, Florida, Steven entered active duty with the United States Air Force in Alaska after commissioning from AFROTC Detachment 001 at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He went on to become a Space and Missile Officer at Malmstrom AFB, Montana where he was an instructor with the 341 Operations Support Squadron. After serving with the Air Force, he moved back to his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska and became a member of the Anchorage Police Department. He has served the community by working night shift downtown and in Mountain View for eight years.

Steven in the recipient of numerous military and education achievements including earning the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He currently working on completing a Master’s Degree in Business Management at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

He is the husband of Adrean Czajkowski and father of two girls. Steven enjoys everything in the open air from 4-wheeling to flying, and loves showing his daughters what Alaska has to offer.
Nantia Krisintu

Nantia Krisintu currently works as a Graduate Assistant for the Master of Public Administration Program while pursuing her MPA at the College of Business and Public Policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She aims to move the business of governing into the digital age using her MPA in concert with her entrepreneurial experience. Her entrepreneurial efforts have led to business such as Milk and Honey Farm (Homer, Alaska), and Garden of Eating (Tokyo, Japan).

Born in Colorado and raised in Borneo and Tokyo, Nantia’s feet returned to American soil when she was 15 years old. Extensive travel and cultural immersion have produced a true global nomad, whose perspective continues to widen as her years increase. At 16 she graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall, one of the most prestigious and well-known preparatory schools in the nation, a year ahead of schedule. After a year WWOF-ing in Europe, she took charge of her education, shunning the Ivory Tower track. Her academic background is as diverse as it is lengthy; from Rutgers Women in Leadership program, to the Art Institute of Seattle, to Maryland University of Integrative Health, she embodies the skill set of a true renaissance woman.

When not writing papers, practicing philanthropy, or tending her business endeavors, she can be found climbing, nearly anything stationary.
Kaitlin Morris

Kaitlin Morris is a born and raised Alaskan, graduating from Chugiak High School. Prior to graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and accompanying minors in Entrepreneurship and Violin Performance from the University of Wyoming in 2009, Kaitlin was selected to attend the Owen Graduate School of Management’s Accelerator Summer Business Institute at Vanderbilt University. The program allowed her hands on consultant experience with fortune 500 companies in a competitive environment.

Kaitlin has worked in consultant roles for revenue improvement strategies, insurance, and other financial industries. Currently, she is a regulator for financial industries as a Financial Institution Examiner for the State of Alaska in the Division of Banking and Securities. Kaitlin is pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in Policy Analysis. Believing in ‘good government’, she hopes assist the next generation’s implementation of creative government to tackle necessary changes required to meet present and future challenges. In her free time, Kaitlin enjoys fishing, camping, and appreciating the wonders of Alaska and America.
Misty Pfeifer

Born and raised in Alaska, Misty Pfeifer moved to Seattle in 1992 and worked for a window manufacturing plant, which is where her love for Human Resources began. After graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a BBA in management in 1998, she began working with the local benefit brokerage firm, The Wilson Agency LLC as a Small Group Account Manager.

Misty took an eleven-year hiatus from her career to raise her two children, Blake and Sydney. Misty is now employed part time for ConnectHR, an HR outsourcing/consulting firm that rounds out The Wilson Agency’s client services and local business HR needs. Misty is looking forward to completing her Masters in Business Administration degree in December and helping businesses connect their human resources with their business strategy.
Cameron Poindexter

Cameron Poindexter was born in Homer, Alaska and raised in Anchor Point. He began his leadership journey as the Junior Class President. The following year he was elected Student Body President, served as the State FFA Secretary, was elected to be the Student Representative on the Kenai Peninsula School Board, and was his Soccer Team's Captain. During his undergraduate studies in Fairbanks, Cameron served as an Assistant Resident Director and as part of his responsibilities, led a team of six in his residence hall for two years. After earning his Bachelors of Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and Organizations from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cameron started work as a Junior Program Manager at a Subsidiary Company of Bristol Bay Native Corporation in San Antonio, Texas. Cameron returned to Alaska to begin a career in finance and went through First National Bank Alaska's Management Associate program. He was quickly promoted to the Kuskokwim Branch Manager where he led the branch staff of twelve for two years. Cameron is proud of his accomplishments while in Bethel and among those that he is most proud of is his focus on his team, developing team members, and reducing staff turnover. Cameron is now leading the Bristol Bay Development Fund, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Bay Native Corporation that has a charter to invest in start-ups and existing business in the Bristol Bay Region, as its Manager. Cameron has planned to graduate in the fall of 2015 with his Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis on Leadership. After he earns his degree, he plans to continue his career at Bristol Bay Native Corporation.
Jared Shary

Jared is a business marketing professional and lifelong Alaskan. Growing up in a family that leaves town every weekend to enjoy the exclusive wilderness the state has to offer, Jared has always been intrigued by the outdoors and spends the majority of his free time exploring. As a youngster he was constantly making music and art so once his business interest was realized, a creative outlet was his obvious path. Jared completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance in 2012 through the University of Alaska Anchorage and has worked for Northrim Bank the last six years. As the Marketing and Sales Officer for Northrim Bank, Jared develops unique and innovative ways to effectively engage customers. He is fascinated by organizational behavior and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership through the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Robert Stott

Robert Stott is the Information and Communication Systems Director for the College of Business and Public Policy at UAA. He has worked in the information technology field for over 19 years. Robert grew up in Alaska, eventually leaving his hometown of Kodiak to attend UAA. He loves spending time with his family and enjoying all that Alaska has to offer. He is currently working on his third degree, Masters in Business Administration after previously receiving both his bachelors and associates from CBPP. Being part of the Leadership Fellows Program is an exciting opportunity and he is grateful to be able to learn from local leaders in the same industry. Robert is expecting to graduate in December 2016 and continue taking courses in areas of interest, such as Business Intelligence and Data Mining.

Undergraduate Students

Sierra Rain Begich Slade

Sierra Rain Begich Slade is the only one, out of three siblings, to graduate high school and will be a first generation college graduate for her family. She is currently working towards her last semester of a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in Management. Sierra is looking forward to applying to the Master’s of Business Administration program at UAA and starting the program this spring. She is a previous Nordstrom Management Intern and her intern project won first place for the entire Northwest Region of Nordstrom Stores. The region is comprised of 14 Nordstrom stores and over 100 other interns. While interning at Nordstrom she was also awarded, "Most Nordstrom Intern." Sierra was promoted from intern to the position of Interim Department Manager, where she managed a two-million-dollar sales floor, and at the time was the youngest manager at the store. This past summer she interned with one of the largest privately held companies in Alaska, Alaska National Insurance. She is serving as the current Miss Fur Rondy Queen 2015 and is a past Miss Alaska Teen. She has extensive community service work that includes caring for hospitalized children in our community and improving literacy in Alaska. Sierra says she cannot wait to use her education to enrich the community she grew up in. Some of her favorite things are being outdoors during Alaska’s beautiful summers, baking, and spending time with her eight-year-old sister. She has a passion for her community, travel, and continuing her education. Sierra believes that honest hardwork, difficult conversations, and her resiliency has helped her to grow into the strong young professional she is today.
Jaemin Cho

Jae is currently a senior at the University of Alaska Anchorage working on a dual Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance. He is an UA Scholar and a student in the Honors College. Prior to moving to Alaska, Jae attended middle school in Vancouver, Canada and Bournemouth, England before eventually graduating as class salutatorian from Anchorage Christian School. When he is not studying, Jae works as a Wolf Pack orientation leader. As a Wolf Pack Leader, he stated, “meeting new students is the best part. I enjoy being an orientation leader because orientation gives nice energy to start a new semester." When time permits, Jae plays just about any kind of sport and works out.
Keri-Lyn Fitzgerald

Keri-Lyn Fitzgerald is a senior undergraduate in the CBPP, double-majoring in Finance and Economics, and minoring in studio art. She currently works as a tour director in the summer, and full-time student/potter in the winter. Keri-Lyn loves inter-mixing her structured, numeric brain with her creative side, and wants to continue innovating in both her education, and ceramic art. In her spare time, she loves to spend time hiking, running, and mountain biking.

Growing up in Fairbanks, and now living in Anchorage, Keri-Lyn has seen the state from North to South; she knows both the beauties, and challenges people face trying to be successful in Alaska. Keri-Lyn loves Alaska, and intends on working towards making Alaska even more exceptional in the future, by working in economic development or public policy. Being an undergraduate protégé in the Leadership Fellows Program to Keri-Lyn, means an opportunity for networking with other students, and community members who want to make a difference. She is delighted to have the chance to start working towards accomplishing her goals, and to be inspired by fellow protégés.
Arie Henry

Born in Anchorage and a graduate of West Anchorage High School, Arie Henry enters his final year as a Management and Marketing major, with a Minor in Music, at UAA. He has been named to the Chancellor’s List for the Spring and Fall semesters of ’14, as well as the Spring of ’15. To complement his studies at UAA, Arie also interns at the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation as a Live. Work. Play. Intern. There, he has been an active and engaged member in the organization’s vision of making Anchorage the number one city America to live, work and play.

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Arie has aspirations to pursue a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology, a form of cultural anthropology focusing on the relationship between music and culture. He wishes to incorporate both his undergraduate and Master’s work in hopes of a career where music and ethnography intersect with business and marketing.

As well as being an avid music fan, Arie also plays classical guitar at UAA for its Guitar Ensemble. He has also played electric guitar in UAA’s Motown Ensemble. Alongside playing music, he also counts the game of hockey as another passion.
Amy Noe

Amy grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and attended NCSU School of Engineering in 1984. While working for the Dept. of Defense she married her husband of 29 years and moved to Alaska where she continued her studies at UAA, focusing on Mathematics. In the early 1990’s she, her husband and 6 year old daughter returned to rural NC. After her son was born in 1996, she launched an international ministry to Romania. Distraught by the plight of the Romanian orphan population - exceeding over 100,000 children - she founded Least of These International Ministries, now in its 19th year of operation. Least of These funds a foster home and school in the Gypsy village near Arad and has touched the lives of hundreds of orphaned, abandoned and street children in Romania. After Family Circle magazine wrote an article about Amy’s work in Romania there was an overwhelming response from people who wanted to partner with the ministry, which now has contributors all over America, Canada and the UK.

After spending the last 30 years working as a Certified Professional Bookkeeper, Amy and her husband returned to Alaska in 2011 and she is now pursuing her dream of becoming a CPA. She will graduate in the spring of 2016 with a degree in Accounting. She enjoys running and collecting cats in her free time.
Kaitlyn Surdyk

An Alaskan born and raised, Kaitlyn is continuing life in the Last Frontier by pursuing her first Bachelor Degree in Business Management with a minor in Computer Information Systems at the University of Alaska Anchorage. As a full- time student with the expectation of graduating Spring of 2016, Kaitlyn has continued to expand her leadership experience her senior year by participating in the Leadership Fellows Program as well as playing an active role with the Marketing and Management Club as the Director of Programs. After graduating from UAA, she then hopes to follow her interest in Human Resource Management by continuing her education in Leadership through a Masters Program. Outside of school, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband, daughter, and dog as well as participating in many of the outdoor activities Alaska has to offer such as skiing, hiking, and kayaking.
Mitchell Tacata

Mitchell Tacata was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska. He is in the last semester of school, striving to get a BBA Accounting degree. After graduating with his undergrad degree, Mitchell plans attaining a Master's Degree in Accountancy in Boston, Massachusetts. Mitchell has been employed as a part-time Accounting Assistant for that last year and a half, and is grateful for the opportunity of learning and gaining experience from his professional coworkers. Once Mitchell graduates with his Master’s Degree in Accounting, his ultimate career goal is to work for a prominent accounting firm and work towards becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

As part of the Leadership Fellows Program, Mitchell hopes to gain and develop professional skills that will help him become a successful leader in his future career. Also, Mitchell hopes to connect and network with the local business community. Most importantly, he hopes to learn from his mentor on how to become a dynamic group member, enhance his decision-making, planning, and motivational skills.
Adam Ward

As a student of the University of Alaska Anchorage, Adam Ward is working towards his BBA in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. After completion of his BBA, Adam has plans to further his education by attaining an MS in Global Supply Chain Management. Adam’s interest in Logistics and Supply Chain started early on in his childhood as an appreciation for people and cultures. Traveling abroad in a military family, he was able to experience much of the world first hand and delve into many different cultures. This unique aspect of his life caused an appreciation for the diverse world we share and has inspired a pursuit of creativity and learning that drives him to be successful in his efforts. He is engaged in school activities as part of the UAA Global Logistics Association where he serves his peers as treasurer and has also won university distinction as the 2015 AHAINA Man of Excellence. Aside from his efforts at the University, a practical understanding of mechanics, the arts, and community development have been an important facet of his life. This translates to his interest in motorsports, watch collecting, and the study of history.
Alexa Wolf

I am a born and raised Alaskan. I am currently finishing my bachelors degree in Business Management and Marketing at the University of Alaska Anchorage. While I have been going to school, I also have been working at small business, Town Square Art Gallery. To further my work/education experience, I am interning at Anchorage Economic Develop Corporation (AEDC). When I am not going to school or working, I volunteer at my church and the local Rotary/ Rotaract clubs. At church I am a Sunday school teacher, youth group sponsor, and media assistant. In Rotaract, I am the current President and have been with the club for three years. My hobbies include exploring the wonders of Alaska through hiking, fishing, and day trips to unique destinations.