Few events capture Alaska’s identity quite like the Iditarod. Dubbed “the last great race on Earth,” the 1,000-mile sled dog race is more than a competition — it is an international symbol of endurance, grit and the state’s pioneering spirit. For journalism and public communications alumnus Corey Hester, chief operating officer of the Iditarod Trail Committee, stewarding that legacy is both a professional responsibility and a personal honor.

“There’s a lot of organizations in Alaska that have been around forever that can be slow to adapt in some areas,” said Hester. “So the team brought me on board to help advance the organization from the perspective of making sure our internal processes are as efficient as possible, but also to ensure the Iditarod is here for future generations, five, 10, 20 years down the road.”

Born and raised in Anchorage, Hester grew up following the race, tracking the mushers’ daily progress in the newspaper and on TV. Now as COO, Hester’s work involves everything from contract management and sponsor relationships to identifying business opportunities and modernizing internal processes while expanding the Iditarod’s reach. The goal, he said, is to ensure the organization remains sustainable and relevant while preserving its unique Alaska identity. 

Hester’s path to leading one of Alaska’s most iconic institutions began with a childhood fascination with magazines. As a high school student, he devoured publications like The Economist, Scientific American and GQ, drawn to the depth of research and storytelling behind each article. That curiosity and appetite for learning led him to pursue a degree in journalism and public communications at UAA, where he also contributed to The Northern Light student newspaper and started a chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

While at UAA, Hester joined the Seawolf Debate program, which shaped his approach to leadership. Debate taught him how to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives and develop thoughtful, strategic solutions. Hester credits the program, especially his fellow teammates and coach, Steve Johnson, with helping him learn how to navigate difficult decisions and understand competing viewpoints, which are skills that continue to inform his work today.

“The debate program was so instrumental in how I think about problems and solutions,” said Hester. “It makes you have this 360-degree view on different problems, issues and challenges, and I leverage that every day in almost everything that I do.” 

After graduating, Hester launched his career in Anchorage, beginning as a communications intern at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. He quickly advanced to become events and programs director, where he created the Young Professionals Group and launched the Alaska Young Professionals Summit, forming a community of motivated and civic-minded professionals. Soon after, he was hired as executive director of the Alaska Airmen’s Association, one of the nation’s largest general aviation organizations. Despite not having a background in policy or aviation, Hester was able to leverage his communications, research and organizational leadership experience to expand the organization’s programs and double in size. 

During this period, Hester admits that while he’s quick to grasp complex issues and leverage data, he was operating largely on “gut and intuition.” To close any knowledge gaps, his fellow board members and former employers encouraged him to not just pursue formal business and legal training from the country’s most elite institutions, but to bring that knowledge back to benefit his home state. Hester earned his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and later completed his J.D. at Harvard Law School, which gave him brand new tools along with a heightened sense of critical thinking to navigate complex organizations, lead cross-functional teams and think strategically about long-term growth.

Hester returned home to Alaska after six years away in the Ivy League. Upon arrival, he joined the Iditarod Trail Committee. Initially working as a senior business development strategist before stepping into his current role as COO, he sees his position as much more than a job, but as a chance to give back to the community that shaped him.

“Friends, family and so many people from outside the state are familiar with the Iditarod, and that recognition reinforces how important it is to the branding of Alaska — the ruggedness and adventurous spirit,” said Hester. “I'm very excited and privileged to play a role in this Alaska cultural story.”