Meet the Team
Our Foundation
A group of unlikely individuals met in an East Anchorage home to discuss the state of the state and the need to launch an effort to recall Alaska's governor. From that meeting, a family was born and a movement was launched. From educating Alaskans on the need for affordable healthcare to informing our neighbors about the dangers of climate change to reinventing a sustainable economy--Alaskans Take A Stand is working toward a better Alaska for us all.
Our Roots
Meda, an Indigenous Healer and mother of eight, fervently champions climate change and education initiatives. Erin, a Black woman with extensive expertise in Human Resources, communications, and event planning, shares her personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the criminal justice system, offering a powerful perspective for those facing similar challenges.
Erin Jackson-Hill
President
Erin is a passionate advocate for social justice, with a rich and diverse experience in nonprofit management and event production. Anchored in Anchorage since the age of two, Erin is a proud alumna of Wonder Park Elementary, Wendler Jr. High School, and Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. Her profound dedication to her home state is reflected in her relentless advocacy for issues, particularly those that disproportionately affect minority communities.
She began her professional journey at Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, eventually rising to the position of Events Manager. Her career has also been enriched by her experiences at the State of Alaska-Child Support Division, Doyon Limited and JJ Powers Public Relations.
A key accomplishment in Erin's career was her instrumental role in founding the Alaska Civics Academy, a program dedicated to promoting civic participation and understanding. She is also an active contributor to the Alaska Coalition for Justice, tirelessly working to advance fairness and equality across the state, with a specific focus on police reforms and addressing the school-to-prison pipeline.
In addition, Erin is a board member of Alaskans for Fair Courts, reflecting her commitment to uphold justice and impartiality within the judicial selection process. Her involvement extends to the steering committee of Alaska Women's Ascend, a program designed to empower women to run for political office, thereby promoting gender balance in political representation. In 2022, Erin joined the planning committee of Juneteenth Anchorage, underscoring her commitment to diversity and community engagement in Anchorage.
With her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to social justice, Erin stands out as a significant advocate and leader within her community. Her continuous efforts are pivotal in moving towards a more inclusive and equitable Alaska.
Meda DeWitt
Sanctuary Earth Project Founder
Meda is a Tlingit Traditional Healer, Ethno-herbalist, multi-disciplinary artist, community leader, educator, and advocate of Indigenous health practices, as well as environmental stewardship. Her Tlingit names are Tśa Tsée Naakw, Khaat kła.at. Her adopted Northern Cree name is Boss EagleSpirit Woman. Her clan is Naanyaa.aayí from Wrangell, Alaska and she is the child of the Kaach.adí
Jennifer Williams
Program Director
Jen is a lifetime Alaskan, Mother of 4 dynamic humans. She also stands strong in Caregiver/ Elderly advocacy having over a decade experience assisting those with Alzheimer and Dementia. She is currently on the panel to Unionize Alaska’s Caregivers ensuring they have a better, more sustainable livelihood in the future. For several years now she has been a Medicaid Navigator assisting others in their quest for proper and accessible Healthcare. Having contributed to the Medicaid Barriers Project for the last couple of years, she looks forward to positive changes for Alaskans to more easily attain their healthcare benefits to meet their goals and needs.
Rebecca Reiss
Medicaid Navigator
Rebecca was born in Anchorage, raised in Fairbanks and currently living in Wasilla. She graduated from homeschool with honors. Later graduated from UAF on the deans list, in the field of HSEQ. Most of her experience in the environmental field, was in air quality. Totally missing the people that it effected...her heart is for her fellow Alaskan. She is a caregiver, giving aid to the most vulnerable, to keep them in their homes.
She has been working to help unionize Alaskan caregivers for the last year. Speaking on both state and federal platforms for that change.
She wants to help others to find their voice and understand their power to make changes together.
Kelly Jackson
Public Relations Director
Kelly Jackson stands out as a highly experienced customer service expert, boasting almost two decades of dedicated service at Tudor Road Bingo Center. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Kelly carries with her the pride of being an accomplished alumna of Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School.
Her professional journey is distinguished by a profound focus on the facets of employee relations, alongside the training and development of new talents. Kelly has consistently proven her leadership prowess, showcasing effective team management and adeptness in conflict resolution. Her exceptional communication skills, paired with her innate interpersonal talents, make her an invaluable asset to our team.
However, Kelly places a greater significance on personal well-being and community than on her professional achievements. While raising her children, she was affectionately the “neighborhood mom,” a testament to her nurturing presence. There were times her daughter lamented that her friends would often come over not just to see her but to ask if her mom could “come out to play.” Beyond her professional life, Kelly is a devoted mother to two wonderful children and has extended her maternal warmth to many others, earning her the title of “Auntie Mom.” She deeply values family and community ties, understanding the critical balance between acceptance, nurturing, and the establishment of clear boundaries for appropriate behavior.
Kelly's fervent passion for community service has propelled her into the role of Public Relations Director for both organizations. In these roles, she is dedicated to leveraging her extensive skills and experiences to make a lasting positive impact in her beloved hometown. Her commitment to uplifting the spirits and lives of all Alaskans is unwavering, as she continues to contribute to her community's growth and well-being.
Through her extensive career and personal life, Kelly Jackson embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and community. Her life’s work and dedication to the betterment of her community and family showcase her as a truly inspiring figure, making a difference in every life she touches.
Lucien Dyer
Communications Director
Lucien (they/them) is a transplant from the Chesapeake Bay, now residing on unceded Den'aina land. Brought to Alaska by an opportunity to live in Whittier, Lu fell in love with Anchorage. From Anchorage's rich community minded foundations, to the welcoming, forgiving, and encouraging energy they received from it's residents, it was just meant to be.
Lu is the jack of many trades. Coming up queer in a Southern Baptist church, they are a true testament of trans joy and light. They have lived and worked all over the East Coast, from Philly to Savannah, in roles such as Marketing Director, Product/Project Manager, and Business Development Director in E.M.a.a.S (Energy Management as a Service), working with brands such as Chipotle and Walgreens on their sustainability programs. They are also a painter, specializing in sign painting and gouache portraits. Since moving to Alaska, they have found their place in and on this world. They reside on communal land with their chosen family, chickens, a greenhouse, and their loving cats, Luna (pictured) and Earl.
Lu has helped organize queer safe spaces and events for the LGBTQ+ community, connect folks with resources, and uplift queer artists in town; weaving a web of intersection along the way. In one day, during Pride 2024, Lu helped raise $1,000 for COR, facilitated in collaboration with Spenard Second Saturday, merely 6 hours after landing in Anchorage off a cross-country flight. There is nothing they truly love more than making people laugh and smile, and being a safe shoulder for you to cry on. Their fierce dedication to be the person they needed when they were younger has fueled a dangerously protective flame that burns for the love of their community. Could also be the three Sagittarius placements in their chart. Regardless, was it was in the stars for Lu to become a community leader. One of their earliest memories is of them "helping" their beloved Nana at a house showing, leading the potential buyers through the home, pointing out every detail and feature the eye could see. Nana said, "One day, you're going to write letters for the President!" and not a thing has changed since.
Joshua Black
Operations Consultant
Josh Black brings over a decade of nonprofit operations experience to Alaskans Take a Stand. Prior to joining the team, he was Assistant Director of Aspiration, a nonprofit that supports social justice through technology and digital capacity building. He specializes in improving operations and accounting systems and designing and implementing processes.
Josh is an experienced labor organizer, who works in an Amazon warehouse in San Francisco and helped make it the first in the country to unionize with the Teamsters in October 2024. He is also a classically trained singer and performs professionally as a soloist, section leader, and chorister throughout the Bay Area.