Creating new opportunities for Alaska's creative industries
OUR WORK
PARTNER WITH US!
OUR STRATEGY
We collaborate with local, national, and international partners to develop programs that create new opportunities for Alaska's creative industries in order to build vibrant and economically diverse communities.
OUR STRATEGY
PARTNER WITH US!
OUR STRATEGY
We act as an educator, advocate, and connector between Alaskan creatives, policy makers, and local businesses and community groups in order to develop new economic opportunities in Alaska. We work to build better data to understand and support Alaska's new and emerging creative sectors.
PARTNER WITH US!
PARTNER WITH US!
PARTNER WITH US!
We carry out our work through our community partners. Join Alaska Creative Economies to advance our mission to create new opportunities Alaska's creatives and the communities they serve. ACE is a 501c3 tax exempt Alaskan nonprofit corporation. Send us an email to sync up.
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Sadona Kathryn, Development & Fundraising Coordinator
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Sadona started her career in music education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Music and a minor in Art, which laid the foundation for her decade-long career as a live audio engineer. Since moving to Alaska in 2019, she has collaborated with numerous venues, festivals, and artists, bringing community-connected experiences to life. As a smal
Sadona started her career in music education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Music and a minor in Art, which laid the foundation for her decade-long career as a live audio engineer. Since moving to Alaska in 2019, she has collaborated with numerous venues, festivals, and artists, bringing community-connected experiences to life. As a small business owner (Alchemy Arts & Audio, LLC), she specializes in freelance audio work, consulting, event and festival planning, and booking Alaskan music tours. Sadona joined Alaska Creative Economies in 2025, bringing her diverse skillset to support fundraising events and the Anchorage Music City initiative. When not running audio for events or hosting open mic nights in Girdwood, she can be found hiking, snowboarding, and enjoying Alaska's vibrant arts ecosystem.
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Born and raised in Anchorage, Anthony has over 15 years of experience working at venues, concerts, and festivals. While going to college in Missoula, MT, he worked as event staff at his local college and at local venues and festivals. After graduating, he moved to Seattle, WA, and worked for Showbox Presents for six years as event staff a
Born and raised in Anchorage, Anthony has over 15 years of experience working at venues, concerts, and festivals. While going to college in Missoula, MT, he worked as event staff at his local college and at local venues and festivals. After graduating, he moved to Seattle, WA, and worked for Showbox Presents for six years as event staff at their multiple locations. He now works as AR / Income Auditor for Beartooth Theatre and Pub. With ACE, Tony coordinates community partnerships to leverage resources in support of all ages music access programs. He enjoys going to concerts both in and outside of Alaska and is passionate about supporting access to live music and arts.
Jesse Satterfield, Data Engineer
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Michael T. Howard, Executive Director
Born and raised in Anchorage, Jesse is deeply committed to building a sustainable and equitable future. With over a decade of experience in data management and visualization, he brings expertise gained from working at the City of Portland and Nike to his current role with ICF International. His career includes serving as a United States R
Born and raised in Anchorage, Jesse is deeply committed to building a sustainable and equitable future. With over a decade of experience in data management and visualization, he brings expertise gained from working at the City of Portland and Nike to his current role with ICF International. His career includes serving as a United States Reconnaissance Marine, after which he completed a Bachelor of Science in IT Analysis and later a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Oregon State University. Jesse supports ACE's economic impact analysis work. Currently residing in Portland, Oregon, Jesse spends his downtime exploring the Pacific Northwest backcountry, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Michael T. Howard, Executive Director
Tony Manka, Dark Daze Community Partnerships Coordinator
Michael T. Howard, Executive Director
Born and raised in Anchorage, Michael brings over 15 years of experience in grassroots community development to ACE. He currently works as an Analyst for GCI and has held diverse roles across Alaska, including founder of AKIMI / Music Alaska and positions with the Alaska Health Information Exchange, the Anchorage Park Foundation, the Dena
Born and raised in Anchorage, Michael brings over 15 years of experience in grassroots community development to ACE. He currently works as an Analyst for GCI and has held diverse roles across Alaska, including founder of AKIMI / Music Alaska and positions with the Alaska Health Information Exchange, the Anchorage Park Foundation, the Denali Education Center, and Agnew::Beck Consulting. In civic life, he has served as board chair of both the Fairview Community Council and the Anchorage Citizens Coalition, contributing to the implementation of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. Michael earned a B.A. in Community Development from Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs and holds a nonprofit leadership certificate from Lewis & Clark College’s Institute for Nonprofit Management. He has also worked as a researcher for the Oregon Community Foundation evaluating the impact of its philanthropic programs. Michael is a former AmeriCorps VISTA and was named a “Vanguard” by the Next City urban affairs conference—a national gathering of rising urban innovators. He currently manages the Anchorage band SunDog and founded Dog Yard Records in 2019.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 2025
Michael Catsi, CEcD - Chair
Chasen Cunitz, Esq. - Vice Chair and Secretary
Chasen Cunitz, Esq. - Vice Chair and Secretary
Michael’s residency in Alaska was 29 wonderful years with the last 16 spent as an economic development professional in local, regional, and statewide positions. Continuing his work, now in Tacoma Washington, Michael is a strong believer in the role the creative class plays in place-based economic development. Attracting talent and therefo
Michael’s residency in Alaska was 29 wonderful years with the last 16 spent as an economic development professional in local, regional, and statewide positions. Continuing his work, now in Tacoma Washington, Michael is a strong believer in the role the creative class plays in place-based economic development. Attracting talent and therefore, business and capital investment is often predicated on a community having a high quality of life. The arts and culture are a major piece of that puzzle and critical to a community’s long-term resiliency and sustainability.
Chasen Cunitz, Esq. - Vice Chair and Secretary
Chasen Cunitz, Esq. - Vice Chair and Secretary
Chasen Cunitz, Esq. - Vice Chair and Secretary
Chasen Cunitz, esq. is a father, graduate of Willamette University College of Law, and former AmeriCorps VISTA in service of Alaska Native nonprofits. He previously worked with the ACLU of Alaska's Board of Directors to help safeguard civil rights throughout the 49th State. Chasen now works for the EPA and assists rowing nonprofits in Was
Chasen Cunitz, esq. is a father, graduate of Willamette University College of Law, and former AmeriCorps VISTA in service of Alaska Native nonprofits. He previously worked with the ACLU of Alaska's Board of Directors to help safeguard civil rights throughout the 49th State. Chasen now works for the EPA and assists rowing nonprofits in Washington, and in his spare time, consults for the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Tribal Court development in rural Alaskan communities.
Kevin Overholt, CPA, CFE - Treasurer
Chasen Cunitz, Esq. - Vice Chair and Secretary
Kevin Overholt, CPA, CFE - Treasurer
Senior Manager, Porter and Allison, Inc. Certified Public Accountants
Josh Zullo, Member-at-Large
Mariel Ballew, CFRE, Member-at-Large
Kevin Overholt, CPA, CFE - Treasurer
Quality of Place Project Manager, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
Mariel Ballew, CFRE, Member-at-Large
Mariel Ballew, CFRE, Member-at-Large
Mariel Ballew, CFRE, Member-at-Large
Mariel has called Girdwood home for the past ten years and serves as the Development Director at Challenge Alaska, where she oversees fundraising initiatives, special events, and donor relations. She brings more than a decade of experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, and event management. Deeply engaged in community life, Mariel ser
Mariel has called Girdwood home for the past ten years and serves as the Development Director at Challenge Alaska, where she oversees fundraising initiatives, special events, and donor relations. She brings more than a decade of experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, and event management. Deeply engaged in community life, Mariel serves as foster coordinator for Best Friends Animal Rescue, and has volunteered with AWAIC, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and Young Professionals Group. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Alaska’s outdoors with her husband and dogs.