Mayowa Aina

Writer

She/Her

Mayowa Aina is a writer and multimedia creator based in Tacoma, Wash. Prior to returning to her hometown of Tacoma, Mayowa spent two years in Anchorage covering local and statewide education issues and producing Alaska Public Media’s flagship nightly news magazine “Alaska News Nightly.” She’s also worked as a journalist for NPR in Washington, D.C. Mayowa is happiest when she’s following her curiosities and helping people tell their own stories. A University of Washington graduate, she got her start in audio production by volunteering with a community storytelling/oral history project.  In her free time, Mayowa enjoys live music, taking road trips, and watching fridge organization videos on TikTok.

Jovell Rennie

Project Lead / Photographer

He/him

Jovell Rennie is an Anchorage-based, Alaska-raised photographer who was born in Trinidad and Tobago. His passion for photography inspired him to start exploring the outdoors and connecting with members of his community. Jovell works as a creative strategist at a public relations firm in Anchorage. Since 2018 he’s managed Akela Space, an artist studio and gallery space he co-founded alongside creative partners.

Willie Dalton

Producer

He/him

Born and raised in Anchorage, Willie tried to quiet his clouded Alaska heart by escaping to New York but quickly longed for vast (introvert-friendly) spaces. He returned home to pursue a life as an artist and community facilitator. With a few peers, he started Akela Collective, a team of creatives, and continues to spend his time creative consulting, producing and filming/photographing a bit of his own work.

Sydney Stokes

Writer

She/they

Sydney Stokes was born and raised in Ohio in a family of six and moved to Alaska in the winter of 2019 not long after graduating from the University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Her passions are developing global awareness and educating others on the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. She advocates for all walks of life, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ rights, poverty alleviation, wildlife conservation and environmentalism. Outside of those you might find her sketching, painting or watching videos of cake-baking (although she claims she cannot bake). Sydney believes in creating and investing in support systems and safe community spaces for others, citing the lack of those resources in her own upbringing as a motivator.

Thomas McIntyre

Videographer / First Assistant

He/him

Thomas McIntyre has been creating things his entire life and eventually turned his creativity into his career. Specializing in video, most of his professional work has taken place at Thompson & Co. PR, often taking place in remote locations and communities with some of the most recognized voices in the state. In the summer of 2020 Thomas’ skills and passion came together in a way they hadn’t ever before when he was tapped to lead The Open Doors Initiative. The mission is to make the underrepresented represented. As a lifelong Alaskan, Thomas is strongly motivated to apply his creative abilities to causes that advance equity and showcase the people who call Alaska home in their purest, most authentic form. When he isn’t operating a camera, you can find him biking, running or climbing rocks.

Bill Bailey

He/Him

Bill Bailey joined Rasmuson Foundation in September 2022, bringing with him nearly 20 years working in strategic communications, public relations and Alaska’s philanthropy sector. Bill has extensive professional experience leading communications for a broad range of businesses, including in the nonprofit sector, public education and oil and gas industry. Born and raised in Fairbanks, Bill connects strongly with organizations and causes that positively impact Alaskans’ lives and their communities.

Most recently, Bill served a nine-year tenure as Fairbanks communications manager for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., which maintains and operates the trans-Alaska pipeline. He managed internal and external communication campaigns and initiatives, delivered communication coaching and counsel, and represented Alyeska in the Interior. Administering the corporate-giving program for the Fairbanks area and the pipeline corridor, Bill focused on building relationships with nonprofit leaders, seeking opportunities to build healthy and vibrant communities and connect underserved Alaskans with critical resources. Bill previously served as director of public relations for the Fairbanks School District, where his tenure included strategically deploying digital technology to reach a diverse population of stakeholders.

An award-winning communications professional, Bill was recognized by the Alaska Journal of Commerce as one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40.

Bill enjoys traveling, learning about new technology, spending time in the Alaska Interior and being active with his siblings, family and friends.

Emily Cho

She/They

Emily Cho joined Rasmuson Foundation in August 2017 as a communications intern. She transitioned to a full-time position in November 2017 and was promoted in 2019 to serve as an associate on the External Affairs Team.

She was born and raised in Anchorage and attended Arizona State University, where she studied biological sciences. While at the university, she became active in Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community groups including the Asian Chamber of Commerce, and she took on leadership positions in the student-run AAPI coalition. During this time, she worked closely with other coalitions of marginalized groups to celebrate their history and culture and to educate other students and faculty on the importance of diversity and equity.

She continues her involvement today as an executive member of the Korean American Community of Alaska’s NexGen group, where she volunteers her time at various events and helps connect the younger generation of Korean Americans with the older generation. Emily served as Anchorage chapter leader of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum and works to spread awareness about the history of and issues faced by the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Alaska and the rest of the United States. She volunteers as a teacher at St. Andrew Kim Parish’s Saturday school, teaching high school students the values of generosity, spirituality and community and assisting with activities and fundraising events hosted by her church.

Emily is passionate about helping her community, uplifting young people and connecting with her culture.  She enjoys reading, learning how to cook her favorite Korean dishes, exploring the Alaska landscape and searching for her next favorite local restaurant.

Sydney Copley

She/Her

Sydney Copley joined Rasmuson Foundation in March 2021 after working in the Office of the Governor. Working in three administrations added to Sydney’s already wide experience and deep knowledge of the State of Alaska. At Rasmuson Foundation, she serves as executive assistant to Angela Cox, vice president of External Affairs.

Sydney was born and raised in Interior Alaska by two educators. In 2011, she was recognized as Alaska’s Distinguished Young Woman, a national scholarship program that recognizes leadership, talent and academic achievements. She played Division II college basketball, volleyball and lacrosse. Sydney and her family enjoys traveling, cooking and baking together, and an active Alaska lifestyle.

Angela Cox

She/Her

Angela Cox joined Rasmuson Foundation as vice president of External Affairs in June 2017. She oversees communication and events, does public policy work and helps connect national partners to Alaska organizations. She also leads on efforts to bring diverse community members and their perspectives to the center of the Foundation’s work.

Her past experiences include serving as vice president of administration at Arctic Slope Native Association, a nonprofit tribal health organization, director of Foundation and Endowment Development for Arctic Slope Regional Corp., and a program associate at Ford Foundation.

She received her master’s degree in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication.

Angela serves as a board member for Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation, Iḷisaġvik College Foundation and Media Impact Funders. She is also a member of the Recover Alaska Operations Council. She was named a 2020 member of the Alaska Journal of Commerce Top 40 under 40 and is a Marshall Memorial Fellow.

Angela is from Utqiaġvik, Alaska; she is an enrolled tribal member of the Native Village of Barrow. She previously worked with Rasmuson Foundation as a communications intern in 2004-05.

Lisa Demer

She/Her

Lisa Demer joined Rasmuson Foundation in January 2018 as communications manager and is part of the External Affairs Team.

She came to Rasmuson after more than 35 years of work as a journalist including 23 years at Anchorage Daily News covering social issues, crime, politics and rural Alaska. For her work in 2017, she won the Alaska Press Club’s First Amendment Award. Before moving to Alaska in 1994, Lisa worked for The Tampa Tribune in Florida as well as newspapers in Georgia and South Carolina. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. She grew up in Florida and Georgia.

Lisa spent three years in Bethel telling the stories of Western and rural Alaska. She serves on the board of Girls on the Run Southcentral Alaska and is part of the Anchorage Alliance for Violence Prevention, which is working to make Anchorage a safer community. In the past she volunteered for the Alaska Literacy Program. She loves all things salmon and also enjoys gardening, dogs, art tours, hiking, running, cross country skiing and yoga.