Arctic Leadership Lecture Series: Melanie Bahnke

We’re proud to welcome Melanie Bahnke, president and CEO of Kawerak, Inc., and a respected Alaska Native leader, as the next guest in the Arctic Leadership Lecture Series. A first-language speaker of St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Bahnke has dedicated her career to strengthening rural and Indigenous communities across Alaska. With deep experience in tribal governance and community empowerment, she will share reflections on leadership rooted in culture, collaboration, and resilience—and the importance of local voices in shaping the future of the North.

This virtual lecture is free and open to the public.

Arctic Leadership Lecture Series presents: Melanie Bahnke

Date: October 23rd, 2025

Time: 5:30-7:00pm AKST

Location: Zoom

Zoom Option: https://alaska.zoom.us/j/89231879618

The Arctic Leadership Lecture Series is hosted by the UAF Political Science Department and the UAF Arctic and Northern Studies program. The series brings together influential voices from across the North to discuss leadership, policy, and the future of the Arctic. It is presented in partnership with the Arctic Leadership Initiative, which fosters leadership through education, dialogue, and collaboration.

About the Speaker
Melanie Bahnke, president and CEO of Kawerak, Inc., is a tribal leader and first-language speaker of St. Lawrence Island Yupik. She has dedicated her career to advancing the well-being of rural and Indigenous communities. In her talk, she will reflect on the power of Indigenous leadership and community-driven solutions in building resilience and self-determination across the North.

Arctic & Northern Studies at UAF
UAF’s Arctic and Northern Studies program offers interdisciplinary degrees that explore the history, cultures, governance, and environment of the circumpolar North. Students develop deep regional knowledge while engaging with issues that matter to Alaska and the Arctic world.

UAF Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science prepares students to understand and engage with the forces shaping governance, policy, and political life in Alaska, the nation, and the world. With strengths in American government, political theory, public law, and international relations, the program offers a foundation for active citizenship and leadership.

Support the Programs
The Arctic Leadership Lecture Series is made possible through the dedication of the Arctic & Northern Studies and Political Science programs at UAF. If you’d like to support students, research, and public programming in these areas, please consider making a gift to either program. Your generosity helps us sustain opportunities that connect the university, Alaska, and the Arctic.

Donate to UAF Political Science Dept: https://engage.alaska.edu/uaf/

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