Meet the Board

Katie Bender, M.P.A. ’10, is the community and public relations manager at Northrim Bank. She lives in Anchorage and enjoys supporting the College of Business and Public Policy’s Leadership Fellows and Leadership Fellows Junior Academy, as well as Seawolf Athletics.

Crystal Enkvist, B.A. ’93, M.P.A. ’13, is executive director and executive vice president at Alaska Power Association and ARECA Insurance Exchange. She lives in Anchorage with her husband Urban Enkvist, B.B.A. ’94, M.B.A. ’96, and their daughter.

Tim Gravel, B.B.A. ’90, is co-owner of Kaladi Brothers Coffee, which has won many accolades such as the Anchorage Chamber Gold Pan for Business Excellence and numerous top Press Picks from the Anchorage Press’ annual best-of listings. He was also an Alumni of Distinction award recipient in 2017. Tim and his three children enjoy motocross, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. Tim’s oldest son attends UAA.

Virginia Groeschel, B.S. ’06, M.S. ’20, is a civil engineering and project management alumna, president of the College of Engineering Alumni Chapter and graduate degree hooding ceremony student speaker for spring 2020. She currently serves as consultant coordinator for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Central Region’s Aviation Design Section.

Dan Hart, B.S. '10, is a mechanical engineering alumnus and serves as the Alaska and Hawaii service operations manager for Siemens.

Jason Richards, B.S. ’11, is a construction management alumnus and currently works as a project manager for Davis Constructors and Engineers. Jason and his wife, Karin, B.S. Nursing ’11, are both born and raised Alaskans who just returned home from a six-year adventure in central Texas, where he worked for SpaceX at their rocket test facility. Jason is an avid hiker, forever an amateur guitar player and a proud member of Anchorage South Rotary.

Jessica Horwatt, B.B.A. '97, is an information technology alumna. She has been a residential realtor since 2000 and is currently affiliated with Herrington & Company, LLC. Jessica is active in the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and volunteers for the Alaska American Cancer Society. Jessica loves living in Anchorage and showing new residents all that our city has to offer. She has two young adult children and enjoys spending time outside.

Jessica Jacobsen, B.S. ’13, M.S. ’19, is a construction management alumna and project manager professionally. Jessica likes to stay active in her community and holds a seat as vice president and founding member of the board of directors for a small nonprofit, Katie's Handprint, helping families impacted by pediatric cancers. In her free time, she enjoys riding on her motorcycle, cycling or hiking in the mountains and entertaining friends.

Leila Kimbrell, B.A. ’02, C.T.2. ’02, is a justice alumna and the executive director of Resource Development Council for Alaska, serving as a leading voice for the state's largest industries.

Lessie Kincaid, B.S. ’13, is the director of sales for the Odom Corporation in Alaska. Before joining Odom and the beverage industry, Lessie worked in tourism for the Hilton as director of sales while completing her natural sciences degree at UAA. After graduating in 2013, she joined Odom in 2014 as the key account manager for Coca-Cola, joining 26 UAA alumni employees, making UAA the highest represented university among Odom employees.

Skye Nevada, B.B.A. ‘16, is a management alumna and third-generation Alaskan who has dedicated her time to promoting and increasing involvement within the community. She is the HR business partner for Parker Wellbore Alaska and serves as the chair for the Young Professionals Group through the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. She has been an active board member of many organizations and charity events throughout Alaska. Skye finds encouragement for herself out on the water while kayaking with family and friends.

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone, B.A. ’14, is a journalism and public communications alumna and currently works as business development and marketing manager for Cornerstone General Contractors

Lonnie Ridgeway, B.A. ’18, is a sociology alumnus, former player on the Seawolf basketball team and currently works as coalition director for public health and prevention at Volunteers of America Alaska.

Tanya Pont, is director of alumni engagement at UAA and executive director of UAA's Alumni Association.