Creating new opportunities for Alaska'S CREaTIVE INDUSTRIES

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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. Currently residing in Portland, Oregon, Jesse spends his downtime exploring the Pacific Northwest backcountry, hiking, hunting, and fishing. 

Born and raised in Anchorage, Michael brings a 15+ year background in grassroots community development to ACE. Prior to coming to ACE, Michael founded AKIMI/MusicAlaska, and he has played various roles in Alaska including as an Analyst for GCI Business, and at the Alaska Health Information Exchange, the Anchorage Park Foundation, the Denali Education Center, Agnew::Beck Consulting, and in civic capacities as board chair of the Fairview Community Council and the Anchorage Citizens Coalition - working to implement the goals 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 a nonprofit leadership certificate from Lewis & Clark College's Institute for Nonprofit Management. He has worked as a researcher for the Oregon Community Foundation working to evaluate the impact of its giving programs. He is a former AmeriCorps VISTA, a Rasmuson Individual Artist Award recipient, and he was named a “Vanguard” by the Next City urban affairs conference, a cross-disciplinary gathering of rising urban innovators working to make change in cities. He currently manages the Anchorage band SunDog.

(Current term through 7/31/25) 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. 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.