SOLSTICEAK - Key Persons
Ms. Connaker's experience at SolsticeAK includes obtaining environmental permits, preparing grant applications, coordinating public involvement meetings, and writing environmental documents for energy, transportation, and infrastructure projects in Alaska. For SolsticeAK, Carrie has prepared Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessments to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, involving agency consultations, drafting project and alternative descriptions, and summarizing existing environmental conditions, impacts, and mitigation. She is familiar with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and has worked in team settings to write Biological Assessments, Incidental Harassement Authorizations, and Marine Mammal Monitoring Plans. Her professional experience also includes over 12 years of work as a clinical embryologist for a fertility clinic in the Seattle area, where she was proficient with high-complexity lab processes as well as establishing connections with the clinic's patient base. Carrie's science-based background includes a B.A. in Biochemistry from Whitman College and a M.S. in Clinical Embryology and Andrology from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Carrie has lived and worked in Alaska for most of her life.
Ms. Hagy has experience supporting environmental planning and project management. She has lived and worked in Alaska since 2014, and has been a part of the SolsticeAK team since 2016. At SolsticeAK, she has researched and documented environmental conditions, supported public involvement for projects, and carried out marine mammal monitoring plans throughout Alaska. Through her studies at Alaska Pacific University, Emerald gained experience in GIS, field science, and policy, and she brings these proficiencies to her work at SolsticeAK. Emerald's educational background includes a B.S. in Environmental Science.
Ms. Kruchoski has been working with public, non-profit, and private sector groups on environmental and sustainability planning and project development since 2017. Kennedy has prepared grant applications, written environmental documents, and performed fieldwork including marine mammal monitoring for projects throughout Alaska. She has worked to ensure that National Environmental Policy Act requirements are met, and that required local, state, and federal permits and authorizations are acquired for a variety of projects. Before joining the SolsticeAK team in 2020, her professional experience included Sustainability program management for the City of Minneapolis, where she wrote a Transportation Demand Management workplan, assisted in the coordination of the Minneapolis Green Zones (environmental justice) policy initiative, helped implement policies and coordinate public engagement, and applied for certifications and awards. Her other work has included data analysis for hydrology and transportation planning projects and electric vehicle infrastructure development. Through her studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, she gained experience in environmental justice, environmental policy, and GIS. Born and raised in Alaska, Kennedy returned to Anchorage after studying and working in Minneapolis/St. Paul for 7 years.
Ms. Kiley-Bergen has been working in environmental consulting and planning since 2019 and has experience writing environmental documents and conducting fieldwork throughout various parts of Alaska. At SolsticeAK, she has prepared grant applications for energy infrastructure projects and prepared environmental reports to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act, in addition to conducting marine mammal monitoring. Natalie has a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in History from Bowdoin College, a background in environmental education, and fieldwork experience from conducting coastal ecology research in Zanzibar, Tanzania and supporting amphibian conservation in Madagascar. She moved to Alaska in 2019 after teaching Science and English at a secondary school in Malaysia on a Fulbright Grant.
Ms. Cohn has been working with public, non-profit, and private sector groups focusing on environmental, climate, and sustainability strategy, policy, research, and planning since before 2005. At SolsticeAK, her work includes researching and documenting environmental conditions; obtaining permits and writing environmental documents to comply with federal and environmental regulations; and coordinating public involvement. Olivia has organized public involvement efforts for projects in Alaska, including within the Seward Peninsula, Kenai Peninsula, and Southcentral Alaska, managing relationships with stakeholders and the public and documenting agency scoping and public comment. She documents wetlands, anadromous fish streams, bald eagle nests, contaminated sites, park and refuge public facilities, and air quality. Olivia has helped clients comply with the Clean Water Act wetlands permitting, the National Historic Preservation Act through State Historic Preservation Office consultations, and the Alaska Fishway Act fish habitat permitting. She has prepared Categorical Exclusions for Alaska projects in order to meet NEPA requirements. In addition to SolsticeAK, her experiences include coordinating reports and data for a private hydrology research company in Alaska, consulting to the City of Chicago regarding environmental strategy, and working for Michigan's state environmental regulatory agency. Her education includes a B.A. in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy with a specialization in Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy. Olivia has lived in Alaska since 2013.
Ms. Pfeifer is a lifelong Alaskan, who grew up in Kodiak and Kenai before moving to Anchorage. She has more than 5 years of experience preparing grant applications and managing projects for public and non-profit groups. Her experience ranges from commercial fishing and serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama to acting as the Development Director for a non-profit. Her background is in Earth Science and she is currently enrolled in a Public Policy Master's program through UAA, where her thesis project is to examine culturally responsive energy alternatives for rural, Arctic communities. Her expertise is in helping clients find funding sources, writing grant narratives, and working with municipalities and non-profit organizations to achieve their goals.
Ms. Reich, President of SolsticeAK, has more than 20 years of experience in environmental studies, documentation, and permitting. Robin's varied background and knowledge enable her to effectively manage the writing of environmental documents involving multiple disciplines, stakeholders, and issues. Robin's projects often require that she facilitate conversations between agencies, engineers, and clients to mitigate for potential impacts to the environment. She works closely with planners, scientists, and engineers to ensure that projects meet public and agency approval. Having grown up in Alaska and having spent her entire professional career helping public and private clients obtain regulatory approvals, Robin is well aware of the issues and challenges surrounding Alaskan projects. With experience in marine assessments and wetlands, water quality, and fisheries field studies, (and with a background that includes growing up commercial fishing in rural Alaska), Robin has a thorough understanding of issues that arise during environmental documentation and permitting.
Ms. Boyette has lived and worked in Bethel and Anchorage, Alaska since 1975. Sharon's work for the Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) and for the Aleutians East Borough has given her an understanding of the issues and concerns faced by rural Alaskan communities. As the grants administrator for LKSD, she planned, wrote, implemented and evaluated state and federal grant programs for 26 village schools. In several capacities and, ultimately, as the Borough Administrator, Sharon worked for the Aleutians East Borough for 20 years. Her expertise is in planning and managing large capital projects, writing and administering grant programs and working with municipalities and non-profit organizations to achieve their goals.