Kirk Rose is the CEO of the Anchorage Community Land Trust having started with the organization as an Americorps VISTA in 2011. Kirk is a 2020 Alaska Top 40 Under 40 recipient as well as a 2017 Next City Vanguard, one of just 43 urban leaders worldwide. During his tenure with the organization, ACLT was awarded the National Development Council's highest honor as the 'Most Innovative Community Development Project' in the United States. Kirk is responsible for ACLT’s impact and accountability to the communities and people we serve as well as for creating an organization that promotes staff wellbeing, builds great partnerships and is financially poised for the future.
Kirk can be reached at krose@anchoragelandtrust.org or at 907-274-0181.
Emily Cohn
Emily is ACLT’s Director of Communications & Development. Emily learned how to story-tell through an education in the arts, and has been seeking opportunities to make good stories since. Some of her most story-worthy jobs have included selling merchandise for touring bands, teaching Shakespeare to youth in Detroit, and delivering wine to Disney executives. Emily holds 10+ years of experience in communications, fundraising, events, & media relations, as well as ongoing experience eating sour candy while working on grants. Emily is a graduate of the Alaska Humanities Forum's Leadership Anchorage program, and was a recipient of the Peer to Peer Award. Emily is also a graduate of The Foraker Group's Catalyst for Excellence program, and a recipient of the Alaska Journal of Commerce's 40 Under 40 Award. Emily is elated to be shaping the story of Anchorage’s best neighborhoods through ACLT. She escapes her desk by using the roads and trails around her and getting out of town every chance she gets.
Emily can be reached at ecohn@anchoragelandtrust.org or (907) 865-5211.
Caitlin Taylor
Caitlin "Cat" Taylor is our Director of Operations & Impact. She was born and raised in Anchorage, and has lived in neighborhoods all across town. She graduated Cum Laude from University of Alaska Anchorage Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and UAA's Civic Engagement Certificate. She later completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from The Foraker Group, and was humbled to earn the "All-In Award" vote from her peers for "being committed to learning, participating fully, and making the experience for others greater through their participation". Cat has worked with ACLT since interning there in 2014, and joining full time at the start of 2017. Cat is passionate about striving for a better city, and she brings that drive into the workplace; supporting her dynamic and impressive staff team lights her fire. Her personal values are creativity, stability, and having fun — office nerf gun fights are definitely on the table. Outside the office, Cat is wearing a tool belt and reading Family Handyman. She loves home improvements, crafting and DIY projects. She has one rescue mutt named Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and one rescue cat named Pepperoni Pizza.
Cat can be reached at ctaylor@anchoragelandtrust.org or (907) 215-0723.
Kyla Byers
Kyla serves as ACLT’s Senior Finance Manager, bringing with her a decade of hands-on finance and operations experience as the owner of a local farm-to-table grocery delivery company. Having navigated both the joys and challenges of running a small business, she is honored to bring her experience to the team and support entrepreneur development in the Anchorage community. She is especially excited to come full circle in her work with ACLT— not only was she a recipient of business assistance from ACLT, but her very first connection to the organization was through an AmeriCorps VISTA position nearly two decades ago! In her free time, Kyla can be found playing outside, dancing kizomba, or hanging with her pup, Roscoe, at the dog park.
Kyla can be reached at kbyers@anchoragelandtrust.org or 907-865-5210.
Jay Her
Jay is ACLT's Program Manager for our Set Up Shop program! Leading up to this opportunity, Jay had a background in starting and running a few businesses along with a long career in the mental health industry. His first business venture was as a Comedy Stage Hypnotist and he was hooked to testing out the market through different business opportunities and diving into the world of psychology. Jay says it’s been an amazing path with many hard lessons and great stories to tell, but he’s ready to bring what he knows to our local entrepreneurs. He brings to ACLT’s entrepreneur neighbors a willingness to learn about their businesses to find a path towards their success.
Jay can be reached at jher@anchoragelandtrust.org or 907-274-0170.
Caleigha Gotthardt
Caleigha is Set Up Shop's Training Manager, overseeing the Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop and Plan It! programs.
Caleigha Gotthardt is Inupiaq and Dena’ina Athabascan, with roots in King Island and Tyonek. She holds a B.A in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology from U.A.A and is certified in Adult Education. Her educational background also includes training in Medical Assisting, Billing & Coding, Surgical Tech, and Radiological Assistant Tech.
In addition to her work in education and entrepreneurship, Caleigha is a skilled, internationally recognized artist. She creates jewelry using traditional materials such as Walrus Ivory, Baleen, and Seal Skin, blending cultural heritage with modern design. Passionate about preserving and celebrating Indigenous artistry, she also serves as a mentor to indigenous artists around the state.
Caleigha is dedicated to empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs by providing education, resources, and technical assistance to help them build sustainable businesses.
Caleigha can be reached at cgotthardt@anchoragelandtrust.org or at 907-753-6950.
Helena Sarcone
Helena is our Program Manager, with a focus on providing technical support.
Helena was born and raised in Spenard, having graduated from West Anchorage High School and the University of Alaska Anchorage. She holds a B.S. in Anthropology from UAA, a M.Sc. in International Management with an emphasis on Responsible Leadership, and is a recent alumna of the Alaska Humanities Forum’s Leadership Anchorage program. As an organizer of Spenard 2nd Saturday and small business owner herself, Helena has experienced the fear and overwhelm that can come with a new venture paired with the simultaneous excitement, joy, and vast possibilities. Helena loves to support people in bringing their ideas to life through collaboration, shared learning, and over many cups of coffee.
In her free time, you can find Helena in a Spenard cafe, walking the Coastal Trail, or eating her favorite snack, a Moreo from Yak & Yeti!
Helena can be reached at hsarcone@anchoragelandtrust.