After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, we share with gratitude and fondness that Elisabeth Balster Dabney has concluded her service as executive director of the Northern Alaska Environmental Center.
Elisabeth’s time has been marked by a deep love of Alaska and a fierce commitment to protecting its lands and communities. Her leadership carried the Northern Center through both challenges and triumphs, always with a steady hand and a strong belief in the power of community advocacy.
In her own words:
Growing up off the Hot Springs Road allowed me time to adventure and explore outdoors. Alongside dad we’d fell, buck up, haul, split, and stack wood; enjoy dozens of miles of powder by snowmachine; hike, bike, and walk just about every square mile of Fairbanks; and inevitably, something would go wrong. (Only my dad calls me Lizzy.) ‘Well, Lizzy. Now what?’
I don’t know what comes next for me, but I know I’ve enjoyed the heck out of being at the Northern Center. The folks that do this work day in and day out are the superstars, the heroes. Drop them a line and tell them you think so too. They are fierce advocates. Rabble-rousing activists. Lovers of humanity. Thank you Lois, Sarah, Katie, Emily H., Sean, and Emily M. Carry on.
– Elisabeth
We echo Elisabeth’s gratitude and admiration for our staff, members, and supporters. It is your energy, passion, and commitment that keep the Northern Center moving forward and able to carry out its mission.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Elisabeth for her service, her humor, and her unwavering dedication to protecting the lands, waters, wildlife, and communities of Northern Alaska. We wish her the very best in the adventures to come.
Krystal Lapp (President), Jeffery Groenke (Vice President/Treasurer), and David Leslie (Secretary)