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Felix Rivera recently left the Anchorage Assembly after serving three consecutive three-year terms, the maximum allowed by the City Charter. During his time on the Assembly, Felix chaired the Assembly and several of its committees, and was one of the sponsors of the effort to create an Anchorage Public Safety Commission. He came to Alaska for college and never left. He earned his BA in Liberal Studies at Alaska Pacific University. While studying journalism there, he covered local events and also wrote for an international wire service. In addition to his community service as a member of the Assembly, Felix has served on the board of directors for nonprofits such as Alaska Institute for Justice, the Public Transit Advisory Board, and Alaska Youth Court. He is particularly proud of having helped fight for and eventually obtain protections for LGBTQ Anchorage residents in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Anna Brawley was first elected to the Anchorage Assembly in 2023, and currently serves as the Assembly's Chair. She is a planner and project manager, and she owns a small consulting firm in Anchorage. Anna earned her bachelor's degree in history from Denison University, a master's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and her Master of Regional Planning Degree from Cornell University. She likes learning how complex systems work, such as cities, and how to improve them. Before serving on the Assembly, Anna has served as chair of the Anchorage Budget Advisory Commission, an officer for Spenard and Turnagain Community Councils, on the board of NeighborWorks Alaska, and as a community advocate. She lives in Turnagain with her family and two highly opinionated cats. When not working, she enjoys gardening, creative projects, biking, walking, and Nordic skiing.

Erin Jackson-Hill is Executive Director of Stand Up Alaska, one of the state's only BIPOC women-led social justice organizations. Her advocacy is particularly focused on issues that disproportionately affect minority communities. She's a proud alumna of Wonder Park Elementary, Wendler Jr. High School, and Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. Erin's foray into organizing was serving as the statewide coordinator for the Recall Dunleavy campaign. She was instrumental in founding the Alaska Civics Academy, a program dedicated to promoting civic participation and understanding. She is an active contributor to the Alaska Coalition for Justice, with a specific focus on police reforms and the school-to-prison pipeline. Erin is also a board member of Alaskans for Fair Courts and serves on the steering committee of Alaska Women's Ascend and the planning committee of Juneteenth Anchorage.

Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yehzcyayeyo9wv5xx6lda/2026-0607PublicSafetyCommission_AO2026-62_ABB.pdf?rlkey=7uxhw2gv4uu9ze5k7qjbqzbka&dl=0

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Marisol Vargas is the Co-Executive Director of Operations at Alaska Literacy Program, with 16 years of experience supporting English language learners in overcoming barriers and achieving their goals. Originally from Mexico City, she earned a degree in business administration before immigrating to the United States in 1999. She attended Alaska Literacy Program to improve her English while raising four young children and became a U.S. citizen in 2009. In 2010, she began her career at Alaska Literacy Program as Director of Finance. In 2013, she joined the first Peer Leader Navigator cohort, helping connect her community to trusted health resources and advocating for adult learners. As a former student, Marisol deeply understands the needs of adult learners and is committed to advancing the organization's mission. In 2026, she became Co-Executive Director of Operations. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her husband, watching her four children play soccer, and caring for a new puppy.

Amy Facklam is the Alaska Literacy Programs Co-Executive Director-Programs, a role that leverages her academic excellence and lifelong commitment to education. She was raised in a family of educators, a foundation that instilled in her a deep dedication to teaching and community service, and holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Accounting, and a Master's in Business Administration. Amy joined ALP in 2017 as a volunteer instructor, and her impact was quickly recognized as she transitioned to staff in 2018. Through successive leadership roles, including Director of Adult Education, she spearheaded the expansion of ALP's adult education services before assuming her current role as co-leader of the organization alongside Marisol Vargas. A proud Alaska resident of more than 30 years, she and her husband are raising their son in the Greater Palmer area. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys camping, kayaking, and hiking.

Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hjyn47f8qge4df932w4fc/2026-05-31_ALP_AUUF.pdf?rlkey=5pllokw7pzdjxkm4w6eqwolac&dl=0

Website - https://www.alaskaliteracyprogram.org

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Zori Opanasevych is the Executive Director of the New Chance United Relief Program in Anchorage and a Ukrainian community leader. She serves communities across Alaska, leading efforts to resettle and support nearly 2,000 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Alaska since the war began. Her work focuses on helping families secure housing, employment, education, and legal stability while navigating the uncertainty of humanitarian parole status. Before creating and leading the Ukraine Relief Program through New Chance, Inc., Zori spent many years organizing cultural, social, and community events for Alaska's Slavic community since the early 2000s. Having arrived in the United States as a refugee herself during childhood, she understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities involved in rebuilding life in a new country. Zori earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), and brings both academic training and lived community experience into her work serving newcomers across Alaska. She was recently recognized as one of the Alaska Journal of Commerce's Top 40 Under 40 for her leadership and impact in the community. Zori is married, a mother of three, and enjoys hiking and gardening in Alaska's outdoors.

Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ukwlsinb9thyi1m9spkwb/2026NewChanceProgramOverview.pdf?rlkey=ed2qoz4hmup923vpgnybs3296&dl=0

Poster 1 - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/19r2vayhsf9x13xm7mdip/NewChanceInc1.jpg?rlkey=b29aydcphkpdfx8eb3qt1owmm&dl=0

poster 2 - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9l4vduex80apjlqi9f7p9/NewChanceInc2.jpg?rlkey=lf63t3v9vxsgjtz9pbnua9vzl&dl=0