Julie Kitka retires from Alaska Federation of Natives leadership role
Anchorage, Alaska– The AFN Board of Directors announced on February 8 that Julie Kitka, President/CEO of AFN, at her request, will be transitioning out of the President role in 2024.
“Julie Kitka has been a true champion for Alaska Native people through her steadfast commitment to AFN. Her gifts of intellect, curiosity, kindness, inclusion and creativity have established her as a statewide leader and a national resource. Her vast knowledge of our history as Alaska Native people and the foundation she’s built for the achievements yet to come, instills hope and anticipation for AFN’s next phase. Quyana cakneq Julie,” said AFN Board co-chair Ana Hoffman.
Kitka first joined AFN in 1984 and served as special assistant for human resources, DC lobbyist, and vice-president before she was elected as president in 1990.
Kitka has been a force for stability and action for the organization and the Alaska Native community. Some of her impressive accomplishments include helping greatly expand the
Native health system, advocating and pursuing policies to fulfill the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act’s vision for sustainable economies, and helping to build public-private partnerships that benefit all Alaska Native communities.
“It is difficult to imagine an AFN without Julie Kitka, but we are committed to a thoughtful and healthy transition,” said Joe Nelson, AFN cochair. “We are fortunate to have so much talent in our communities. We have a bright future in large part because of AFN and Julie’s leadership.” The Alaska Federation of Natives’ Board of Directors has developed a Succession and Search Committee and has hired The Foraker Group to support the organization during this transition and the search for AFN’s next president. The Board of Directors will be looking to cast a wide net to seek diverse candidates with strong commitments to serving the Alaska Native community. The Board of Directors is hopeful to open up applications to interested candidates in March, with the new president in place to help lead the 2024 AFN convention.
The Alaska Federation of Natives is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 179 federally recognized tribes, 154 village corporations, nine regional corporations, and 10 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 38-member board.