We are honored to announce Emily Edenshaw as our 2025 Annual Meeting keynote speaker.

Doyon Shareholder and Descendant Emily Edenshaw (Yup’ik/Iñupiaq) proudly serves as the President and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC), a nationally acclaimed and award-winning cultural institution recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures. ANHC is the only statewide living cultural center dedicated to honoring and advancing all Alaska Native cultures and peoples.

Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Emily is the granddaughter of the late Dr. Ernie Wolff and the daughter of the late Libby Wolff. In 2022, Emily was ceremonially adopted into the St’langng Laanas Thunderbird Raven clan in Old Massett, Haida Gwaii. A proud Tribal Citizen of the Native Village of Emmonak, Emily is also a shareholder of Doyon Limited, and Calista Corporation, reflecting her deep ties to both the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Interior Alaska.

Emily is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where her groundbreaking research explores Alaska Native boarding school experiences and the healing strategies necessary to address the intergenerational trauma caused by these institutions. Her academic achievements also include an Executive MBA from Alaska Pacific University and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Strategic Communications from the University of Alaska Anchorage. These academic pursuits inform her dedication to creating systemic change and elevating Indigenous-led solutions.

Emily’s career spans an impressive array of leadership roles across various sectors. She has made impactful contributions at the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, First Alaskans Institute, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Southcentral Foundation, and Alaska Communications. Her work has been instrumental in advancing policies, programs, and partnerships that empower Alaska Native communities. As a trailblazer in Alaska’s tourism sector, Emily is reimagining the industry to center Indigenous voices, perspectives, and cultural values, transforming how Alaska’s story is shared with the world.

Beyond her professional achievements, Emily is deeply committed to community service. She serves on several prestigious boards, including the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Native Americans in Philanthropy, Arctic Encounter, and the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Civic Advisory Board. In 2024, her leadership was nationally recognized when President Joe Biden nominated her to serve on the National Council on the Humanities, acknowledging her dedication to cultural preservation and advocacy. Emily was also honored as one of 100 leaders selected for the 2024–2025 Obama Foundation USA Leaders Program, where she is one of only seven Indigenous leaders in the cohort and among the first Alaska Natives to join since the program’s inception. In 2025, Emily was also nominated to serve as Co-Chair of the Council for Advancement of Alaska Natives (CAAN) under the Alaska Federation of Natives.

Emily resides in Anchorage with her family and remains passionately devoted to fostering connections among Indigenous communities worldwide. Her leadership is deeply rooted in her cultural identity and values, as reflected in her three Native names. Her Yup’ik name, Keneggnarkayaaggaq, translates to “a person with a beautiful persona, spirit, aura, and friend.” Her Xaad kil (Haida) name, Tl’áa Kihl X̱ánj, translates to “The People’s Echo,” symbolizing her role in amplifying Indigenous voices. Her Inupiaq name, Tiipak, meaning “Fancy,” was given to her by the late Dr. Oliver Leavitt, a cherished mentor and Elder. Dr. Leavitt, the first Elder to visit ANHC when Emily began her tenure nearly six years ago, exemplified the kind of intergenerational connection and guidance that Emily strives to uphold in her work.

Emily’s journey is a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the transformative power of leadership grounded in Indigenous values. She continues to inspire future generations to embrace their heritage and contribute to a world that honors and uplifts Native voices.

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