Chair
Talofa and Malo e lelei! Vanessa Tufaga (she/her/hers) is a rising senior at the University of Alaska Anchorage, studying Political Science (with a focus in international relations) and International Studies. This summer and fall she is interning at the Peace Corps in the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Intergovernmental Affairs (SPIGA). Vanessa is passionate about indigenous sovereignty and learning about the history of the Pacific. Aside from her academics and work, she enjoys reading, listening to music, traveling and staying active. She is proud to be a part of a non-profit that is focused on empowering Pacific peoples both locally and nationally.
Secretary
Dash is a queer Samoan individual born and raised in American Samoa currently residing on Dena'ina lands also known as Anchorage Alaska. She is the Anchorage Youth Task Force Coordinator, a Youth Champion Fellow, an entrepreneur and national youth advocate. Dash dedicates her life to serve and amplify youth voices working with Covenant House Alaska and many other organizations in the community. She hopes to use her platform to encourage more young people to fight and strive for success. She asks herself every day “are you going through it or are you growing through it?” Live your truth and do the damn thing!
Board member
Taivaleoaana Seven Toleafoa was born and raised in the island of American Samoa. A retired veteran with multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a champion when it comes to empowering young people to become better versions of themselves. Seven is a God fearing man and his favorite hobby is volleyball. Seven has been bestowed a (Matai) Chief title by his family to honor his dedication and service to the success of his family. He is a family man who prides himself in raising seven beautiful children.
Board member
Isabella grew up on both Samoan islands of Tutuila and Upolu. She loves spending time with her children, husband, and families. It was cultivated in her very early childhood years,-a spirit of love of family, community, and people. To further understand people’s thought processes and behaviors, she obtained a BA in psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has military experience, has worked with children that suffer from conduct and other mental health disorders, and provided outpatient counseling to those that suffer from alcohol and drug addictions (mostly in Alaska’s family drug court and felony drug court). Due to experiencing adverse childhood experiences in her adolescent years, she is passionate about her current work in the state of Alaska’s children protective services. As a supervisor in their Family Services Department, she serves children and their families to mitigate existing safety threats, strengthen parental protective capacities, and reunify children with families or forever homes. She is passionate in her service to PCA and it’s grassroots efforts, to help support and strengthen the Polynesian Community that resides in Alaska.
Board Member
Amanda is a dedicated and experienced professional with a strong higher education, advocacy, and community engagement background. Currently serving on the board of Pacific Community of Alaska and the Advisory Board for Arctic Women in Crisis (AWIC), she brings her passion for fostering positive change and her extensive experience to the organization. Amanda has also served as a board member for several organizations in Utqiaġvik and Anchorage, including Anchorage Youth Court (AYC), Aurora House Community, Alaska Postsecondary Access & Completion Network (AlaskaCAN), Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) Advisory Board, and the ICAS Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Council. These roles have allowed her to develop and implement strategies that support community well-being, education, and advocacy. Amanda holds advanced degrees in criminal justice and has served in various leadership roles, including her current position as Dean of Administration at Iḷisaġvik College. Her expertise in organizational leadership, student development, and program management enhances her ability to contribute meaningfully to the boards she serves. She is passionate about strengthening communities through education, advocacy, and collaboration, and she remains committed to advancing the missions of the organizations she supports.
Board Member
Malō ‘etau lava. Janet is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, and family discord with adolescents. She has been provider in Anchorage, Alaska with Providence Crisis Recovery Center and in Valdez, Alaska as an outpatient clinician and strives to apply trauma informed care people to all demographics.
Board Member
Daniel currently works for Arizona GEAR UP at Northern Arizona University as the Program Manager of Senior Year Services. He brings a wealth of experience in helping underserved students achieve postsecondary success. His current role includes providing senior-year services to 41 high schools all over the state of Arizona. He brings 15 years of experience working in postsecondary access with diverse populations. Daniel is currently a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership program at Northern Arizona University and he has earned an Master’s in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University, a graduate certificate in Advanced Human Services Systems, and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Daniel's dissertation will focus on Pacific Islanders wayfinding towards degree completion.
