Skip Navigation
Family Support Education in Rural Alaska Community Partnerships
Weingarten Rights & Due Process Collective Bargaining & Your Contract Legal Services
Professional Development Conferences & Events
Action Center Tools for Justice
Our Mission, Vision, & Values Our Leaders Our Members Governance & Policies Awards Events
Local Support
New from NEA-Alaska Press Releases
Building Local Capacity Matching Grant Community Outreach Matching Grant New Educator Matching Grant
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.

Our Board of Directors

The NEA-Alaska Board of Directors, comprised of dedicated educators from across the state, oversees the strategic direction and policy decisions of the organization, ensuring its commitment to enhancing education in Alaska.
2025 NEA-Alaska Regional Map

Meet our Board of Directors

Vice President Laura Capelle smiles for a portrait with a bright blue background.

Laura Capelle

President
Michaela 1920x1080

Michaela Hernandez

Vice President
NEA Director Kathy Simpler smiles for a portrait wearing a blue blazer.

Kathy Simpler

NEA Director

REGION I

laura Mulgrew

Laura Mulgrew

Juneau Education Association (2026)
Sunshine Winn

Sunshine Winn

Juneau Education Association (2025)

REGION II

Phyllis Clough

Phyllis Clough

Kodiak Island ESP (2025)

REGION III

Josh Girard

Josh Girard

Kenai Peninsula ESP (2025)
Jenn Haugh

Jenn Haugh

Kenai Peninsula Education Association (2026)

REGION IV

Aletha Duchene

Aletha Duchene

NW Arctic EA (2025)
Portrait Stephanie Butte

Stephanie Butte

Lower Kuskokwim NEA (2026)

REGION V

K Dullen

Kristen Dullen

Fairbanks Education Association (2026)
placeholder

VACANT

(2025)
J Iglesias

Jessica Iglesias

Fairbanks Education Association (2025)

REGION VI

C Aist

Corey Aist

Anchorage EA (2026)
G Cromer III

George Cromer III

Anchorage EA (2025)
Rhiana Gay Portrait

Rhiana Gay

Anchorage EA (2026)
M Kolerok

Michaela Kolerok

Anchorage EA (2025)
Misty Dawn Nelson Portrait

Misty Dawn Nelson

Anchorage EA (2025)
Dana Cain Portrait

Dana Cain

Anchorage EA (2026)

REGION VII

Justin LaCoss Portrait

Justin LaCoss

Mat-Su EA (2025)
C Swarthout

Chad Swarthout

Mat-Su CEA (2026)
T Walters

Tim Walters

Mat-Su EA (2025)

RETIRED

T Richardson

Trena Richardson

Retired (2025)
J Salo

Judy Salo

Retired (2025)
Kristi McEwen

Kristi McEwen

Retired (2024)
B Stek

Barbara Stek

Retired (2026)

ESP AT-LARGE

S Litwiniak

Susanna Litwiniak

Kenai Peninsula ESP
NEA-Alaska logo

Reach. Teach. Inspire.

NEA-Alaska advocates for an excellent public education for each child in Alaska and advances the interests of public school employees.
About Us
Join Now
Anchorage Office
4100 Spenard Road
Anchorage, AK 99517
907.274.0536
Juneau Office
201 Main Street, Suite 300
Juneau, AK 99801
907.586.3090
Fairbanks Office
2118 S. Cushman Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701
907.456.4435
© Copyright 2025

The NEA-Alaska is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org