2025 AWA Conference Agenda
Friday, October 10th - Reception
Alaska Pacific University - Atwood Center Rasmuson Hall
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Check-In and Mingling. Appetizers and desserts served. Cash-Only bar ($5 beer and wine). Free non-alcoholic drinks.
5:30 PM - 5:45 PM | Welcome & Land Acknowledgement - AWA Chair Julia Hnilicka
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM | Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance
6:00 PM - 6:15 PM | Former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola
6:15 PM – 6:20 PM | AWA Major Donor Rocky Plotnick
6:20 PM - 6:25 PM | 2025 Cohort Member BJ Redd Mendez
6:30 PM - 6:35 PM | Closing from Julia Hnilicka
6:35 PM - 7:00 PM | End
Saturday, October 11 - First Day of Training
Alaska Pacific University - Atwood Center Rasmuson Hall
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM | Welcome & Land Acknowledgement - AWA Board Member Erin Jackson-Hill
9:05 AM – 9:15 AM | AWA Organizational Values - Jane Angvik
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM | Self Introductions - Suzanne Little
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM | Panel: The Difference Women Leaders Make
Moderator: Kay Brown
Anchorage Schoolboard Member Margo Bellamy
Representative Carolyn Hall
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Representative Donna Mears
Senator Löki Tobin
11:45 - Noon | Deciding to Take the Leap - Deirdre Goins
Noon to 12:15 PM | Break & Visit Buffet for Lunch
12:15 PM to 12:30 PM | Working for My Constituents - Representative Robyn Naiyuq Burke Frier
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM | Organizing for Good Trouble - Princess Daazhraii Johnson
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | The Importance of a Campaign Plan - Susanne Fleek Green
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | Break & Walk to Break-Out Session
Break-Out Sessions
Choose from the Candidate Track, Campaign Manager Track, Treasurer Track, or Volunteer Track
Candidate Track - Seminar Room (1st Floor Carr Gottstein Building)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Telling Your Story - Polly Carr
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Building Your Public Identity & Brand - Representative Genevieve Mina
Campaign Manager - Rasmussen Hall (Main Space)
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Keys to Success for Being a Campaign Manager - Katie Scoggin & Amber Lee
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM | Targeting Voters - Kim Hays
Treasurer - Classroom 221 (2nd Floor Carr Gottstein Building)
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Role of Treasurer, Working with APOC - Christian Kilgore
Volunteer - CH2M Hill Board Room (1st Floor Carr Gottstein Building)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Role of a Volunteer - Sydney Scout
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | How to Run a Meeting - Anna Brawley
3:45 PM to 4:00 PM | Break
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM | What can the party do for you? - Jenny-Marie Stryker
4:15 PM –5:00 PM | Independent Expenditures and Endorsements: What You Need to Know
Mackenzie Pope (moderator)
Chantal DeAlcuaz
Kim Hays
Judy Jessen
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Preview of Sunday and Wrap-Up - Erin Jackson- Hill
Sunday, October 12 - Second Day of Training
Alaska Pacific University - Atwood Center Rasmuson Hall
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Coffee & Light Breakfast
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM | Welcome & Land Acknowledgement - Representative Genevieve Mina
8:40 AM – 9:10 AM | Speaking Like a Political Pro - Heather Handyside
9:10 AM – 9:40 AM | Nailing Your Personal Presentation - Representative Alyse Galvin
9:40 AM – 10:10 AM | Media: Interviews, Debates, Appearances - Ivy Spohnholz
10:10 AM – 10:40 AM | Framing a Difficult Question – Nora Morse and Julie Hasquet
10:40 AM – 11:00 AM | Break
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Fundraising Best Practices – Kim Jones
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | The Candidate’s Role in Fundraising - Rep. Ashley Carrick & Rep. Rebecca Himschoot
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Simulated Call Time Practice - Arielle Wiggin
12:30 PM - 12:45 PM | Break and Visit Buffet
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM | Special Guest Speaker
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Get Out the Native Vote - Michelle Sparck
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Graduation
2:30 PM to 3:00 PM | Make the Most of Your AWA Experience - Jane Angvik