About Us

Our Mission

Prevent injuries, promote wellbeing, improve safety for all Alaskans.

Our Values

Innovative Collaborative Inclusive + Respectful Data-Driven Strength-Based

Our Approach

For 25 years we’ve worked to prevent injuries, promote wellbeing and improve safety for all Alaskans. In 2018, our organization changed its name from the Alaska Injury Prevention Center to the Center for Safe Alaskans. At Safe Alaskans, we take innovative, data-driven approaches to improve the lives of all Alaskans. Learn more about our journey and who we are today.

Our Story

In 2018, the Alaska Injury Prevention Center transformed into being named the Center for Safe Alaskans. Known as Safe Alaskans, our name better represents our work and our contribution for and with Alaskans. 

Our story is a winding path stemming from innovative approaches to prevent injuries while also promote wellbeing.  

In 1998, our state’s leading experts in injury prevention came together to discuss how our communities were systematically approaching, measuring, and evaluating injury prevention in the state. With the support of a “Safe Communities America” grant through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these leaders created our nonprofit, the Alaska Injury Prevention Center.   

For over twenty years we have used a public health approach to identify data-driven trends, bring collaborative efforts into action, evaluate and measure the successes of our programs, and bring more people to the table. 

In 2015, the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition (AYDC) merged into our organization. Now, AYDC is a strong program continuing to serve and empower youth-serving organizations to promote positive youth development so all Anchorage youth thrive. As Safe Alaskans, our organization’s name better encompasses our AYDC program to promote wellbeing for all Alaskans.

In compliance with IRS regulations, Safe Alaskans makes the following documents available for public inspection upon request:
  • Our most recent IRS Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax
  • Our original application for tax-exempt status 
  • The IRS determination letter confirming our tax-exempt status
Copies of these documents are available electronically at no charge. To request copies, please email us. Reasonable fees may apply if printed copies are requested.
 

Who We Are

Our Team

Marcia Howell, JD

Executive Director

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Mandi Seethaler

Deputy Director

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Emmanuel Portillo

Anchorage Youth Development Coalition (AYDC) Director

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John Ruyak

Senior Program Manager

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Rebekah Wilcox

Program Manager (AYDC)

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Evy Hail

Program Manager

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Regina McConkey

Strategic Communications Specialist

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Ashley Oien

Administrative and Programs Coordinator

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Our Board

Krystal Kompkoff

President

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Angeline Washington

Vice President

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Ronni Sullivan

Secretary

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Soren Orley

Treasurer

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Gordon Glaser

Director

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Brian Saylor

Director

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Hillary Strayer

Director

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Corlis Taylor

Director

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Funders + Partners

The Center for Safe Alaskans’ efforts have been generously funded by a variety of sources including:

Advisory + Collaborations

Our team at the Center for Safe Alaskans participates in numerous advisory groups, committees, and collaboratives that further our core purpose to prevent injuries, promote wellbeing, and improve safety for all Alaskans. Below are a taste of our role in the community:
  • Alaska Wellness Coalition, Evaluation and Communications Committees
  • ANTHC EPI Scientific Advisory Committee
  • Alaska Violent Death Reporting System Advisory Committee
  • Healthy Alaskans 2020 Injury Prevention Indicator
  • Healthy Voices Healthy Choices Leadership Team
  • International Safety Media Awards
  • Statewide Public Health Strategic Planning
  • Shared Risk and Protective Factors Workgroup

Marcia Howell, JD

Executive Director

Marcia Howell, JD, has served as our Executive Director since 2008. Marcia began working with the Alaska Injury Prevention Center in 2000. She has been involved in multiple community collaborative efforts including 4 town hall meetings focusing on the negative impacts of alcohol, Coordinator for the International Safe Communities Conference, presenter on media literacy and teen-based media campaigns around the world and US. Prior to working at AIPC she was an attorney for 9 years in Alaska, specializing in disability and domestic violence issues.

Mandi Seethaler

Deputy Director

Mandi, the Deputy Director, oversees operational and financial logistics at the Center for Safe Alaskans, where she has been a dedicated team member since 2009. Beyond her administrative responsibilities, Mandi is a long-time Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and Instructor. Since 2014, she has been the Statewide CPS Coordinator for the Alaska Highway Safety Office and is the designated NHTSA CPS Training Contact for Alaska. Mandi serves nationally as the Community Engagement Representative for the National Child Passenger Safety Board and is past Chair. She volunteers for the Anchorage Montessori School Board.

Emmanuel Portillo

AYDC Director

Emmanuel Portillo serves as the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition (AYDC) Director. A native of South Los Angeles, Emmanuel brings extensive experience collaborating with Los Angeles educators, youth, and families to design sustainable educational initiatives that offer young people equitable access to high quality education. Emmanuel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicana/o Studies from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in Education Policy and Management with a focus on leadership, racial equity, and education systems change from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

John Ruyak

Senior Program Manager

John is a Senior Program Manager with the Center for Safe Alaskans, supporting injury prevention and transportation safety projects. He moved to Alaska in the summer of 2021 and has enjoyed learning everything he can about his new community. John is passionate about supporting the well-being of communities, strategic planning, and process improvement, and is excited to support Safe Alaskan’s mission.

Rebekah Wilcox

Program Manager (AYDC)

Rebekah Wilcox serves as the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition (AYDC) Program Manager. Rebekah brings extensive experience managing Arts nonprofits in Philadelphia. Before working with the Center for Safe Alaskans, Rebekah served as the Education Director for The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and the Arts in Education Partner for the PA Council on the Arts. Rebekah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in Community Arts and Trauma-Informed Arts Intervention from Eastern University. Rebekah spent her elementary years living in Fairbanks and is excited to be back in Alaska. She loves spending time with her daughter and her dog exploring the outdoors.

Evy Hail

Program Manager

Evy Hail is a program manager for the Center for Safe Alaskans, supporting injury prevention and transportation safety initiatives. Evy brings a lifelong love of Alaska and an enthusiasm for communication and intersectional partnerships. Currently, she is honing her skills in program evaluation, working toward a Master’s in Public Health. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University and a background in clinical medicine.

Regina McConkey

Strategic Communications Specialist

Regina is Safe Alaskans’ Strategic Communications Specialist, bringing over a decade of experience in strategic communication around complex health topics, including substance prevention and vaccination. With a background that blends marketing, public policy, research and data storytelling, she has a knack for listening, engaging and meaningfully connecting with audiences. When she’s not strategizing for a healthier Alaska, you’ll find her hitting the trails or hoisting sails with her adventurous family.

Ashley Oien

Administrative + Programs Coordinator

Ashley is an Administrative and Program Coordinator for the Center for Safe Alaskans – also known as the office’s master project juggler (and part-time magician). She keeps everything moving behind the scenes and ensures the work of the organization flows seamlessly. Ashley is Child Passenger Safety certified and is passionate about supporting the well-being of the people in our community. In her free time, you can find her exploring Alaska with her loved ones and spending as much time in nature as possible.

Krystal Kompkoff

President

Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., Senior Manager

An Alutiiq from Cordova, Alaska, Krystal Kompkoff was a crew member on her dad’s seining boat during her teen years. Currently, Krystal works at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., as a Senior Manager in the Employment and Training Services Department. She has been managing workforce development and youth programs for over 25 years. Krystal serves as president of the Board of Directors at the Center for Safe Alaskans and Chair of the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition Leadership Team. She is a certified Second Order Change Trainer, which supports staff at all levels in youth-serving organizations to strengthen social and emotional intelligence. Krystal joined the Safe Alaskans Board of Directors in 2015.

Angeline Washington

Vice President

Alaska Native Medical Center, Trauma Nurse Director

CAPT Angeline (Angie) Washington, MSN, RNC, CPN joined USPHS in June 2002 at Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC). She has 37 years of nursing experience with expertise across various specialties including: neurosurgical ICU, reconstructive orthopedic, neonatology, pediatrics, PICU, trauma, and neonatal/pediatric vascular access. Her mission is to serve and promote the health and wellness of Americans. Commissioned in the US Navy Reserves in 1986, she served until 1998. Currently, she is the Trauma Nurse Director for the ANMC trauma department. She serves on numerous Boards including the Mayors Advisory Board (MAB), Safe Alaskan, and Trauma Centers Association of America (TCAA).

She has been a member of the Safe Alaskans Board since 2016. CAPT Washington is an excellent educator and facilitates trauma education for providers nationwide. She is an avid quilter and seamstress and loves to garden. She dedicates her career successes to her very loving and supportive family, husband Levi Washington, and three daughters, Kayla, Amy, and Megan.

Ronni Sullivan

Secretary

Southern Region EMS, Retired

Ronni Sullivan began her career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in 1977 in Dutch Harbor, where she served as a volunteer and later as a paid EMS provider, firefighter, and police officer. After attending school in Santa Barbara, CA, and getting her teaching credentials, she moved to Anchorage to work for the Southern Region EMS Council, first in training and later as Executive Director, serving in that capacity for 22 years. After leaving Southern Region, she was elected to the Chugiak Fire Service Area Board of Supervisors, where she has served as Chairman for the past 18 years. Long an advocate of injury prevention programs, she joined the Board of Directors of Safe Alaskans in 2006 and is currently serving as Secretary.

Soren Orley

Treasurer

University of Alaska Anchorage, Associate Professor

Soren Orley holds a professorship in accounting at the College of Business and Public Policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Before joining academia, Soren’s career spanned roles at a global public accounting firm, as Chief Financial Officer for the Municipality of Anchorage, and Associate Vice Chancellor of Budget Finance at UAA. Additionally, he dedicated 30 years as an active Alaska Mountain Rescue Group participant. Presently, Soren is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Alaska and holds a Certified Fraud Examiner credential. He has served on the Safe Alaskans Board as Treasurer since 2009.

Gordon Glaser

Director

State of Alaska Division of Public Health, Retired

Gordon Glaser was a Health Program Manager/Education Specialist at the Alaska Division of Public Health. While there, he provided statewide technical assistance, training, and planning in childhood injury prevention programs. Gordon was one of the first Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians and Instructors in the United States. He taught many CPS technician courses throughout Alaska, helped develop the CPS curriculum, and presented at conferences around the country. Gordon was a League of American Bicyclist Instructor from 2010-2019, teaching safe cycling to a wide variety of audiences.

Since retirement, Gordon has remained physically active by biking, practicing Tai Chi, and participating in fitness programs at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. He is an avid traveler both within Alaska and overseas. He serves and has served on the Boards of the Center for Safe Alaskans since it’s inception in 1999, the Alaska Commission on Aging, The North Star Community Council, AFSCME Retirement Chapter, RPEA, Mended Hearts, and the Anchorage Senior Advisory Center. Gordon is particularly interested in intergenerational and self-direction programming for older Alaskans.

Brian Saylor

Director

Institute for Circumpolar Health, Retired

Since 1974, Brian Saylor, PhD, MPH, has been deeply involved in Alaskan public health affairs. His journey started as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia, igniting his passion for healthcare planning and policy. Throughout his career, he’s held numerous prestigious roles, including health systems planner, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, and Director of the Alaska Psychiatric Hospital. At the University of Alaska, Brian was the Director of UAA’s Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies.

He continues to teach and conduct applied health services research as the owner and principal of Saylor and Associates, an Alaskan health and human services evaluation research and consulting firm. Brian has served as the Alaska Injury Prevention Center/Safe Alaskans Board of Directors since its inception in 1999 and served as the Safe Alaskans Board President for eight years. Brian is well known for designing and building theater sets in Anchorage. Last year, he was voted the Best Set Designer in Anchorage.

Hillary Strayer

Director

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Injury Epidemiology Specialist

Hillary Strayer is the Injury Epidemiology Specialist III at ANTHC. For 16 years, she has supported Alaska Tribal Health Organizations by providing data analysis, evaluation, outreach, training, and technical assistance on such topics as surveillance, data analysis, and prevention approaches. Her work experience includes volunteering with the Peace Corps in West Africa and fifteen years of environmental project management in California. Hillary has served on the Center for Safe Alaskans Board for fourteen years, including six years as Board President.

Corlis Taylor

Director

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Retired

Corlis Taylor lives in Fairbanks and retired from Fairbanks Memorial Hospital after a 29 year career as Manager of the Education Department. While in this role, she was the Fairbanks Safe Kids Coordinator and became a Child Passenger Safety Technician/Instructor. Corlis Coordinated numerous community injury prevention activities. She has been on the Board of Directors for Safe Alaskans since its inception in 1999 as the Alaska Injury Prevention Center. Corlis continues to participate in many community organizations and is an avid quilter and wearable art designer.