Nudlaghi Leadership Institute is a place for community leaders and visionaries to build connections and get inspired while experiencing Alaska’s rich environment.

Board Members

	Jeff Baird, Treasurer - moved to Alaska in 2008 for what was supposed to be a one-year judicial clerkship. He never left Alaska. Jeff has a background in journalism and law. Most recently, he served as the Chief of Staff at Rasmuson Foundation, where he worked for 12 years. He is now self-employed. In addition to NLI, he serves on the board of Catholic Social Services. He and his wife Stefanie enjoy hiking, fishing and gardening, and spend ridiculous amounts of time doting on their two rescue dogs.
	Sheri Buretta, Vice-Chair - born in Anchorage with her family history from the village of Tatiltlek, is a longstanding leader in the native community. She graduated with a degree in Accounting from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a Business Degree from Gulf Coast Comminute College. She serves on various boards including her positions as Director and Convention Committee Chair for Alaska Federation of Natives, Board Treasurer for the Tatitlek Corporation, and Chairman of the Board for Chugach Alaska Corporation. We are pleased to have Sheri serve on our board as Vice Chair for Nudlaghi Leadership Institute. In her time off she enjoys spending time with her husband Gary and their two children, Anastasia and Bo.
	Richard 'Greg' Encelewsk, Board Member - is an accomplished leader with extensive experience managing Alaska Native Corporations and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. As President and CEO of Ninilchik Native Association, Inc. (NNAI) and Chairman of the Ninilchik Traditional Council, Greg demonstrates strong leadership and a deep understanding of Alaska Native protocols and issues. He has a proven track record of effectively representing NNAI and the Ninilchik Traditional Council. Greg's career includes managing Summit Holding, LLC, where he oversees subsidiaries like White Mountain Construction and Red Point Construction, LLC. He has been instrumental in expanding Summit Holding's business footprint, particularly in government construction. A U.S. Navy Seabees and Vietnam veteran, Greg has decades of experience in the oil industry, having worked for ARCO, Conoco, and ConocoPhillips. He advanced from Operator to Lead Operator to Operations Representative, responsible for well maintenance, project oversight, and new project development. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Greg is a commercial fisherman in Clam Gulch, Alaska, and serves as Starosta of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Orthodox Church. Known for his integrity, honesty, and exemplary leadership, Greg Encelewski continues to positively impact the Ninilchik community and beyond.
	Carol Core, Board Member - is a lifelong Alaskan of Aleut descent, an enrolled Tribal member of the Ninilchik Traditional Council, and a shareholder of Cook Inlet Region (CIRI), an Alaska Native Regional Corporation. With over 30 years of experience in real estate, Carol has significantly contributed to both residential and commercial sectors. As a Community Fellow and Strategist for Weidner Apartment Homes, Carol focuses on community engagement, housing policy advocacy, legislative support, investment in housing development, and homelessness initiatives. From 1989 to 2000, Carol served as VP of Acquisition, Disposition, and Asset Management at CIRI, overseeing a diverse real estate portfolio across several states. In 2023, she was elected to CIRI's Board of Directors, chairing the Nominating and Governance Committee. As President and CEO of Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA) for over 24 years, Carol led the organization in growing its portfolio from 267 to over 1,700 affordable rental properties across various Alaskan communities. CIHA's mission is to create housing opportunities that empower and build communities, reflecting Alaska Native values. Carol's work at CIHA included establishing a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to offer lower-cost homeownership and support for small business entrepreneurs. Recognized for her contributions, Carol has received numerous awards and served on various boards, commissions, and committees advancing housing policy and the well-being of Alaska Natives. She remains deeply committed to serving her people and is a proud Alaskan of Aleut descent.
	Diane Kaplan, Secretary/Donor Liaison - is a Senior Fellow at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, with support from the Vancouver, Washington-based M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. She was appointed by President Joe Biden, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting board of directors in 2023. Kaplan served as President and CEO of Alaska's largest philanthropy, Rasmuson Foundation, from 2001-2022, and was the Foundation's first employee in 1995. Kaplan began first visited Silver Salmon Creek in 1995 and, for 20 years, has hosted non-profit retreats at the facility. She is a founder of Nudlaghi Leadership Institute and represents donors on the board of directors.
	April Kyle, Board Member - is of Dena’ina Athabascan descent and a Ninilchik Tribal member as well as a Cook Inlet Region, Inc. shareholder. She began her career at Southcentral Foundation 21 years ago and has been the president and CEO since 2020. SCF is a customer-owned system that provides health care and related services to approximately 70,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people. SCF is a two-time Malcolm Baldrige Award-winning system. April received her master’s degree from the University of Washington Foster School of Business. In 2013 she was nominated by her peers and received the Top 40 Under 40 award from the Alaska Journal of Commerce, and in 2014 completed the Alaska Pacific University Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program. April serves on the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation, Recover Alaska board of directors, as well as NLI. She is a hockey mom, known for her ability to tie ice skates at 15° below zero. During hockey season you will always find April at the rink cheering on the kids. A lifelong Alaskan, April enjoys all things outdoors including hiking, fishing, and exploring with her partner Matt.
	Gloria O'Neill, Board Chair - originally from Soldotna, she is of Yup’ik, Sámi and Irish descent. Ms.O’Neill has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) since 1998. Over the years she has served on various boards including the University of Alaska Board of Regents from 2012 – 2020, a director for the Alaska Native Justice Center since 2017, appointed to the board of Alaska Federation of Natives in 2013, and serves as Chair of the Nudlaghi Leadership Institute. She is a Fellow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship Program. In addition to the aforementioned, Ms. O’Neill serves as Chair for the National Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children. Ms. O’Neill earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Alaska Pacific University, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage. In her time off she enjoys spending time with her husband, Roger Phillips, two stepsons, Owen and Hunter Phillips, and her daughter, Ravynn Nothstine.
	Aleesha Towns-Bain, Board Member - serves as the executive director of the Bristol Bay Foundation, which provides support for BBNC shareholders and descendants to pursue educational opportunities and to promote and preserve cultural heritage of the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. She is of Suqpiaq descent and traces her roots to Pilot Point, Alaska. Prior to her current role, Aleesha served as vice president and chief operating officer at Rasmuson Foundation, where she oversaw external affairs, communications, and events. She has spent many years as a Silver Salmon camp hand where she specialized in snerts, creating excellent river to-go bags, and carrying heavy things for Katherine and Diane. Aleesha has a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in journalism and Native American studies from The Evergreen State College and a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Leadership & Change from Antioch University.