Congratulations to Set Up Shop Training Manager, Caleigha Gotthardt!

You likely know Caleigha Gotthardt as our Set Up Shop Training Manager, responsible for mentoring dozens of entrepreneurs through our training programs each year. What you may not know is Caleigha is also a skilled, internationally recognized artist and accomplished business owner of HRAFN, where she sells her creations. With Inupiaq and Dena’Ina Athabascan roots, Caleigha 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.

This year, Caleigha was accepted into the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts’ Santa Fe Indian Market as one of just six artists from Alaska! The Santa Fe Indian Market is the most prestigious and largest Indian art show and market in the country, with over 1,000 artists from 200 different tribal nations in attendance. Now in its 104th year, the juried application process for the Market is highly competitive, attracting far more talent than can fit. Caleigha was accepted not just as a vendor at the market, but as a part of the juried art show, where her creations will compete with other artists across the country. While her pieces still remain a surprise until they are revealed at the show, we are certain they are made to impress. Caleigha says that being a part of this show has already moved her business from being a small market vendor to being recognized around the U.S. and internationally.

Before Caleigha began working at ACLT, she was a participant in our very first Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop cohort. As Set Up Shop became a part of her business journey, she became a part of ours- not long after, she joined our staff team to begin growing our Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop program. Since she has been on staff, Caleigha has supported over 100 graduates of the Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop program, dedicated to building a curriculum and space by-and-for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Certified in Adult Education, Caleigha now oversees our Plan It! curriculum too. We can’t imagine our programming without her!

ACLT is proud to offer benefit policies that support the employment of business owners on our staff team and provide the flexibility they need to continue pursuing their business dreams. This, in turn, allows staff members like Caleigha to become business leaders in our community and a role model for their clients.

We’re so proud to know such an amazing business owner, artist, and leader on our staff team. Congratulations, Caleigha!