Doyon Foundation Staff

Mariah, from Galena, is the granddaughter of the late Laura and Edward Pitka, and Johnny Habeich and Eleanor Barrett. She is the daughter of Gerald Pitka and Rosie Habeich. Mariah is married to Shannon Jenkins and they have six children: Mason, Mia, Keagan, Tucker, Tatum and Krew.

A previous Doyon Foundation scholarship recipient, Mariah graduated from Bristol Bay Borough High School in 1995, and then spent three years taking core classes at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She attended George Washington University, receiving an associate certificate in project management in 2008. She obtained her executive leadership certificate from the University of California Berkeley in 2013. Mariah is also a graduate of Doyon Management Training.

“I am humbled at the experience to work with our shareholders via the Doyon Foundation,” she said. “Early in my career, I received the support of the Doyon Foundation to further my education and I am excited at the opportunity give back.”

Mariah is the first Doyon, Limited Class C shareholder to serve as a general manager in the Doyon family of companies. She joined Doyon in 2002, starting in accounting and working her way up to her most recent position as the senior vice president and general manager for Doyon Remote Facilities & Services. She assumed the role of Doyon Foundation executive director in September 2022, and previously served on the Foundation’s board of directors.

Mariah calls Interior Alaska home and has made a commitment to keep that connection alive with her children; she brings them all home to Galena for fishing and hunting every year in the summer and fall.

Katrina is a 4th generation Alaskan who grew up in Fox, Alaska. She is married to Shawn Erick of Venetie, and they have a teenage daughter, Ember Erick, who is a Doyon, Limited shareholder. Katrina is the daughter of June Smith (Maurer) and James Smith; and James Thomas.

Katrina earned an associate degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2016 and is continuing to pursue her bachelor’s degree in business administration. Katrina has completed Frontline Leadership Institute and Management Development Training. Katrina is trained in both Project and Grant Management.

Katrina has worked in the non-profit realm since 2012, most recently at Access Alaska as the Interior & Rural Consumer Directed Personal Care Service Program Manager. Katrina enjoyed the opportunity to serve seniors, individuals experiencing disabilities, and families in various regions across Alaska.

Katrina joined the Doyon Foundation in April 2024 and is passionate about creating workforce programs that benefit shareholders and building strong community partnerships to support these initiatives. She is excited to help shareholders achieve their career and vocational aspirations while making a positive impact on rural communities.

In addition to her role at the foundation, Katrina serves on the Statewide Independent Living Council Board of Directors and is an active member of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development and Education Committee.

Outside of work, Katrina enjoys spending time with her family and three dogs, gardening during the summer, and working on sewing projects in the winter.

Sara is a lifelong Alaskan, spending most of her life in Fairbanks. She is the daughter of Clifford Sandbo of North Pole, Alaska and Dana Craig of Santa Maria, California.

Sara graduated Cum Laude from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with an Associates of Applied Science in Professional Piloting and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

For the past five years Sara has worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher at the City of Fairbanks. During her time as a dispatcher she served as a shift supervisor, training officer, union secretary and part of the quality assurance team. In her many roles, her focus was providing support and encouragement to her colleagues and fostering a positive environment where dispatchers are motivated to deliver high-quality service to the community.

During Sara’s time at the City of Fairbanks she donated high visibility bags stocked with emergency blankets, hand warmers, non-perishable snacks and resource cards to the vulnerable population of Fairbanks. She designed and produced the resource cards, listing local services for medical care, police assistance, mental health support, and housing to help the
community access essential resources.

“I am extremely excited to join Doyon Foundation. I look forward to connecting with the Doyon community and representing the foundation,” she said.

In her free time, Sara enjoys reading, graphic design, and spending time with her dogs. She enjoys spending time outdoors engaging in activities like hiking, camping, gardening, and golfing.

Lucy is from Berkeley, California, and is the daughter of the Rev. Canon Dr. Lizette Larson-Miller, of Southern California, and Steven Miller, from South Dakota.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in romance languages and a minor in South Asian studies from New York University, as well as a master’s degree in linguistics, with a focus on language documentation and conservation, from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

Lucy served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon from 2015 – 2017. During her service, she worked as a language teacher and developed after-school programs focused on women’s health and empowerment. Before joining Doyon Foundation in 2021, Lucy worked as a teacher at a French-English bilingual school in California.

“I am honored to work with Doyon Foundation and I look forward to supporting shareholders working to reclaim Native languages,” she said.

Lucy is currently working toward her PhD in Linguistic Anthropology at UAF, where she works with the Dene languages and traditional ecological knowledge of the Upper Tanana region.

Tatiana Kiaqaq Andrew is Yup’ik and the daughter of Fr. Jonah and Cheryl Andrew. Her grandparents are the late Adam and Nastasia Andrew of Kwethluk, Alaska on the Kuskokwim River and John and Susan Michalov of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

She is the eldest of four, and “Aunt T” to nieces and nephews. She grew up in various Lower Kuskokwim villages, as well as in Dillingham on the Nushagak River. Graduating from Mt. Edgecumbe High School connected her to many friends throughout Alaska.

Tatiana recently completed the Rural Human Services program with UAF (where she fell in love with Fairbanks) and is now working towards completing her AA degree with UAF; “it’s never too late!”

As the Administrative Assistant to the Language Revitalization department, Tatiana will work closely with the department Director, and the Foundation Staff by supporting Language Projects, Scholarship Programs, Community Relations, and Fund Developments.

She says, “Language is the connection we seek to the land, the animals, and each other. I’m humbled to be a part of the Language Revitalization department, and look forward to learning, and connecting with you.”

Jenna, a Doyon, Limited shareholder and a past Doyon Foundation scholarship recipient, was
born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. She is the daughter of Diane Evans-Sommer of Galena,
Alaska, and Fred Sommer of Nulato, Alaska. She is the granddaughter of Dorothy Sommer and
the late Fred Sommer, Jr., both from Nulato, Alaska, and Lilly and the late Alfred Evans from
Galena, Alaska. Jenna has three daughters.

Jenna holds an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, a Health Care Reimbursement certificate, and a Medical/Dental Reception certificate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She is currently enrolled at UAF pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Jenna first joined Doyon Foundation as a data entry technician in May 2015. She also served as the Foundation’s data manager prior to her current role as scholarship program manager. Previously, she worked for Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center as a care coordinator for nearly six years.

Outside of work, Jenna enjoys organizing, traveling with family, reading mysteries and horror, activities with her daughters, and walking.

“I enjoy working with students and helping them achieve their educational goals,” she said. “I want to help our students succeed!”

Bess, a shareholder of Doyon, Limited, hails from Rampart, Alaska. She is the daughter of Ronald Evans and the late Linda Sue Evans. Bess and her partner, Conrad Semaken, have a son together who gave Bess her main passion: raising her son.

Bess joined Doyon Foundation in February 2024, driven by her desire to help fellow shareholders reach their full potential. As the scholarship outreach assistant, she is passionate about working closely with students to support their success. She frequently attends outreach events to connect with students and promote the foundation’s scholarship programs.

In her free time, Bess loves playing softball, taking long drives, and spending quality time with her family.

Stephanie, a Doyon, Limited Shareholder, is from Stevens Village, Alaska. Her mother is Cheryl Mayo-Kriska and father is the late William Pitka III. Maternal Grandparents are the late Charles “Tucky” Mayo Jr. from Rampart, Alaska and Marjorie (Sam) Mayo from Stevens Village, Alaska.

Stephanie has three children: Dylan, Stewart, and Jordan. Stephanie is a proud Doyon Foundation scholarship recipient, which helped her earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

With four years of public accounting experience, Stephanie worked for Alliance CPAs in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has also contributed to the Doyon family of companies, including Doyon Drilling and Doyon, Limited.

Stephanie joined Doyon Foundation in August and is passionate about supporting students with their educational goals. Stephanie is excited to be a part of the growth of the foundation with language revitalization and workforce development.

In her free time Stephanie enjoys exercising, playing basketball and watching her three sons play basketball.

Jennifer was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. Her mother is Bonnie Mayo, from Stevens Village, Alaska. Her maternal grandparents are the late Charles “Tucky” Mayo, Jr. from Rampart, Alaska, and Marjorie (Sam) Mayo from Stevens Village, Alaska. Jennifer has one sibling, Shoni Mayo, from Fairbanks, Alaska. Jennifer is married to Sean Shannon, from Atlanta, Georgia, and they have four children.

A Doyon, Limited shareholder and Doyon Foundation scholarship recipient, Jennifer has received an associate of applied science with a major in applied accounting from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She has also received an accounting technician certificate. Jennifer is currently enrolled in UAF’s business administration program to obtain her bachelor’s degree.

“I am looking forward to assisting in the efforts to preserve and disseminate Alaska Native languages. Current efforts are being put forth so that my children and future generations will be able to learn to speak their language as well as understand their history and culture. It’s awe-inspiring to be a part of something so important,” Jennifer shares.