Kirk Rose
Kirk Rose is the CEO of the Anchorage Community Land Trust having started with the organization as an Americorps VISTA eleven years ago. 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 elated to now 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 Programs. 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 never could have imagined that meeting ACLT through a school project at age 19 would then occupy her for the next decade, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Cat is passionate about striving for a better city and taking care of our own. 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 and her wife are homebodies, but love to get outdoors.
Cat can be reached at ctaylor@anchoragelandtrust.org or (907) 215-0723.
Tasha Webster
Tasha is our Senior Project Manager, leading program delivery of Set Up Shop! Tasha is an Entrepreneur and self-taught Fine Artist practicing for a combined total of 11+ years. Her specialties include painting, sculpting, product design, graphic design, web design and marketing. In addition, Tasha has a unique combination of past professional experiences in social services and passion for equality, technology, and the radical advancement of underserved communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Columbus State University and an Executive Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Strategic Leadership from Alaska Pacific University. Through her collegiate studies and personal endeavors, she hopes to continue creating and following her curiosity in various mediums and exploratory efforts that better her community.
Tasha can be reached at nwebster@anchoragelandtrust.org or at (907) 215-0883.
Deepika Ramesh Perumal
Deepika is ACLT's Operations Manager! After earning her MBA graduate degree in India, Deepika took time as a stay-at-home mom for almost a decade. During that time, she earned a graduate certificate degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. She is excited to have rejoined the workforce, and is looking forward to using her subject knowledge to shape each client's progress, and to support the vision and mission of ACLT. Besides her work, Deepika loves cooking, biking on Anchorage roads and trails with her husband and son, and taking care of her indoor and outdoor plants.
Deepika can be reached at dperumal@anchoragelandtrust.org or 907-865-5210.
David Song
David is ACLT's Communications and Development Manager!
David has worked as an organizer for various nonprofits around the state and around the country, and is originally from the Baltimore, Maryland area. After receiving his MPA, he moved to Alaska to work in the Legislature, where he helped advocate for the Mountain View community.
He is grateful for the opportunity to serve some of Anchorage's most vibrant neighborhoods, tell their stories, and help create a better Anchorage for all of its residents. Outside of work, David enjoys cooking, exploring Southcentral Alaska, and getting involved with his Northeast Anchorage community!
Jay Her
Jay is ACLT's Food Business Services 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.
Jamieann Bell
Jamieann is ACLT’s Food Business Services Coordinator. She is passionate about helping others bring their visions of small business ownership to fruition, pulling from her own experience as co-owner of Arctic Moon Bakery. Expanding her business and building a commercial kitchen amid a global pandemic was no easy feat, however the knowledge and resilience gained during the process is an invaluable asset Jamieann is looking forward to sharing with others wanting to embark on their own journey to small business ownership.
Jamieann is Ahtna Athabascan with paternal roots in Chitina and Glenallen. Born and raised in Anchorage, Jamieann attended East Anchorage High School, and furthered her education in Business and Culinary Arts at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Jamieann is an honorary commander with the United States Airforce at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. In the rare free moments Jamieann enjoys escaping on adventures with her family and pup and is an avid rollercoaster rider, enjoys a good book suggestion, and always has a cup of coffee handy!
Jamieann can be reached at JBell@anchoragelandtrust.org or at 907-865-5218.
Zach Lane
Zach is our Program Coordinator focused on Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop. Working primarily with small business owners, he supports our Alaska Native clients with training classes and business services in partnership with Cook Inlet Tribal Council and Cook Inlet Lending Center.
Based in Anchorage, Zach has family roots in Tikigaq. He studied at the University of Alaska Anchorage where he received his BA in Journalism & Public Communications with a minor in Alaska Native Studies. Zach has previously worked at the Alaska Humanities Forum as an Education Program Coordinator and is passionate about racial equity, preserving Alaska Native culture, and strengthening community. Zach also loves filmmaking, photography, art, and the outdoors.
Zach can be reached at zlane@anchoragelandtrust.org or at 907-865-5213.
Caleigha Gotthardt
Caleigha is our Business Services Coordinator, with a focus on growing our Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop programming.
Caleigha Gotthardt is Inupiaq and Dena’ina Athabaskan and currently an enrolled member of the Native Village of Tyonek and Kenaitze Indian Tribe. While Her family is from Tyonek (Sunrise Family) and King Island (Munson Family), she was born and raised in Anchorage. Her educational background includes attending, Career Academy for Medical Assisting, Billing & Coding, and phlebotomy, Dade Moeller for Radiological Assistant Training, and University of Alaska Anchorage for BA in Health Sciences. In addition to her Medical background she is a contemporary artist that utilizes Walrus Ivory, Baleen, and Seal Skin to create jewelry. In her free time she is running her small businesses, serving as a board member for Alaska Native Artwork, Inc. and backcountry riding with her family all over Alaska.
Caleigha can be reached at cgotthardt@anchoragelandtrust.org or at 907-865-5216.
Lisa Torstenson
Lisa is our Program Coordinator, leading Set Up Shop trainings and working with food-based entrepreneurs.
Lisa grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and received a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College. Through her experience with Saint Paul’s economic development department and visits to small agriculture plots around the world, she has witnessed the importance of local food systems to strong communities. She is excited to help strengthen and promote equity in Anchorage’s neighborhoods. In her free time, you can find her playing frisbee, exploring Alaska’s trails, and learning how to ice skate.
Lisa can be reached at ltorstenson@anchoragelandtrust.org or at 907-865-5217.
Gabby Markel
