A Note from Kirk: Gratitude for ACLT's Growing Team of Neighborhood Heroes
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As the holiday season begins, there is much here at ACLT to be grateful for. At a time when many are counting their blessings, I’m counting an incredible staff team that has been growing in numbers and impact. Our organizational growth stems from our long-term commitment to make a difference in the neighborhoods we serve.
By cultivating a strong and dedicated staff we are better able to expand our impact, serve our communities in more efficient and effective ways, and foster a more equitable Anchorage. This year, my hat’s off to our team, old and new. Here is an update on our movings and shakings!
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Radhika Krishna, soon to be celebrating her ninth year with ACLT, is our Director of Operations! Responsible for the day-to-day success of the organization, she manages our budget, real estate activities, and works closely with our Board Program Advisory Committee.
 Emily Cohn, who has been with ACLT for 6 years, is our Director of Communications and Development! Emily is our storyteller, fundraiser, and all-things-communications extraordinaire. She is also the lead staff member to the Board’s Fund Development Committee.
Cat Taylor, who has been with ACLT for 5 years, has been promoted to Senior Programs Manager! Cat oversees the Programs Department, as well as the day-to-day success of Set Up Shop and Grow North Farm.
 Tasha Webster, who is in her first year with ACLT, has been promoted to Business Services Manager! Tasha will continue to lead and coordinate Anchorage Online Bootcamp, as well as oversee the technical assistance activities of Set Up Shop. As a Set Up Shop grad and business owner herself, Tasha brings her expertise to build systems that serve clients best.
 Nick Bachman, who began as an Americorps VISTA, is now in his third year at ACLT! Promoted to Food and Farm Manager, Nick is dedicated to developing programs for new farmers and budding entrepreneurs at Grow North Farm. He also leads Set Up Shop's technical assistance for food-based entrepreneurs.
 Jay Her has recently joined ACLT as a Business Services Specialist! A previous Set Up Shop grad and business owner himself, Jay brings first-hand experience and technical know-how to our food-based entrepreneurs. Jay is focused on supporting business owners through Set Up Shop’s technical assistance and trainings.
 Deepika Perumal has also recently joined ACLT as a Business Services Specialist! Deepika is responsible for ensuring our clients receive excellent support and navigation through our pipeline of services, including training, lending, and technical assistance for Set Up Shop and Anchorage Online Bootcamp.
 Ali Dibble, who served as an Americorps VISTA is in her second year at ACLT! Recently hired on as our Training and Data Coordinator, Ali is advancing our training program, community partnerships, and our outcomes & metrics, and has earned the title 'Data Queen.’
Kailyn Hooley has just joined ACLT as the Communications & Development Associate! Working closely with Emily, Kailyn brings her varied experience to lend new insight to sharing our impact and services.
 Lisa Torstenson is an Americorps VISTA supporting Grow North Farm, as well as making new community relationships, and expanding our capacity to make meaningful change. Lisa’s goal is to advance the sustainable operations at Grow North Farm to better support the farmers.
 Heath Jackson is also an Americorps VISTA supporting our Programs Team to enhance our roster of local contractors and trainers who support our Set Up Shop and Anchorage Online Bootcamp programs. Additionally, he is helping establish new systems for evaluation and reporting in order for us to better track our impact.
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 Though our staff team has been growing, we are losing one important member. After over a decade of keeping the bills paid, the "i"s dotted, and tempering Kirk's overzealousness, Stuart Bannan, ACLT's long-time Finance and Real Estate Director, has resettled in the Lower 48 with his family and will soon be departing the organization. Stuart is responsible for the incredible foundation that ACLT has built over the years from which we grow today. Never one for the limelight, he has been the backbone of the organization and an incredible co-worker and friend. No one has made us laugh harder at ACLT than Stuart and no one has made us reflect more on the mission and focusing on what's most important. Stuart, you are cherished and will be missed! |
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 Lastly, myself, Kirk Rose- this year marked my 10th year with ACLT and my lucky 7th year as CEO. It’s my honor to spend every day with this team, and to build ACLT’s next steps together. Each year brings more impact, stronger mission, deeper partnership, and innovative solutions.
The latest example of this is our work to build a kitchen incubator that would empower many food-based businesses across our city to build and grow. As a team we are very excited to see this idea come to fruition. Stay tuned!
All in all, we couldn't do this work without you--our supporters, our partners, our neighbors. For 18 years we have bloomed together to make Anchorage an even better place to live and raise a family. Here is to the next 18 years and beyond!
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out and utilize our incredible team to build your neighborhood from within. Happy holiday season, from our neighborhood to yours.
Cheers,
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