afpc team updates, general interest
Passing the Plate: Honoring Board Service and Welcoming New Voices
January 22, 2026
By Ellen Olack, AFPC Programs Manager
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with deep gratitude for the dedication, leadership, and care shown by our Board of Directors. We acknowledge that board service can be demanding, but it can also be deeply impactful. Our organization is stronger because of the time, expertise, and passion each member brings to advancing equitable food systems across Alaska.
In 2025, we were thrilled to welcome three outstanding new Board Members whose perspectives and leadership have already made a meaningful difference. Zeynep Kilic, Co-Owner and Chef of Turkish Delight, brings a powerful combination of culinary expertise and small business leadership rooted in community. Marisa McKasson, UAF Faculty with the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program, contributes deep knowledge of food systems, education, and tribal partnerships. Chef Amy Foote, Director of Indigenous Cuisine and Executive Chef at NANA Management Services, offers visionary leadership grounded in Indigenous foodways, culture, and sustainability. Together, these three leaders have enriched board discussions and strengthened our work throughout the year.
In December, we had the honor of recognizing two departing Board Members whose service left a lasting mark. Heidi Rader completed two consecutive three-year terms on the Board and was instrumental in helping form the Indigenous Foods Working Group. Heidi’s commitment, thoughtful leadership, and steady presence helped guide critical conversations and initiatives that will continue to influence our work for years to come.
We also celebrated Hannah Hill, who completed one term on the Board, served as Board Secretary, and will continue to co-chair the Food Waste Working Group. Hannah’s organizational leadership, collaborative spirit, and dedication to reducing food waste have helped move meaningful solutions forward while strengthening partnerships across the state.
Additional gratitude goes out to exiting Board Members Sara Renard, Gatgyeda Haayk, and Ron Meehan. Each brought unique perspectives, skills, and lived experiences that helped guide our mission. We are deeply thankful to all our departing Board Members for their service and unwavering commitment to Alaska’s food systems and communities.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome two new Board Members who begin their terms in January 2026:
Elizabeth Dubovsky first came to Southeast Alaska in 2004 while researching the Pacific Salmon Treaty for her thesis and quickly fell in love with the region. She moved to Juneau in 2007 and has since spent nearly two decades working to promote and protect Alaska’s fisheries and fishing communities. With degrees in Environmental Science and Environmental Policy from the University of Virginia, Elizabeth has worked with Regional Seafood Development Associations and salmon conservation organizations across the state. Now based in Anchorage, she currently works as the Strategy Director for the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and serves on the Local Catch Network’s Executive Committee. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys running in the mountains, baking for family and friends, and exploring Alaska’s wild beauty with her daughter.
Jason Lessard’s Alaska story began in 1994 with a visit to Anchorage and a last-minute decision to work a salmon season in Bristol Bay, an experience that sparked a lifelong connection to Alaska and its food systems. Jason spent nearly two decades working in the fishing industry before transitioning to nonprofit leadership. His past roles include Director of Operations at the Food Bank of Alaska and Executive Director of the Anchorage chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Alaska Mariculture Alliance, helping lead efforts to build a robust and sustainable mariculture industry that benefits Alaska’s economy, environment, and communities. Jason also serves as a Governing Body Member of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster and has previously held board and governance roles focused on mental health advocacy and ethics. He is excited to join AFPC in the vital work of strengthening food security and food sovereignty as we build toward a hunger-free Alaska.
As we move into the next chapter, we extend heartfelt thanks to all who have served and a warm welcome to those stepping into leadership. Together, we continue building a stronger, more just food future for Alaska.
