Sandra “Sandy” Salaktuna Kowalski is vice president of shareholder relations. She is responsible for leading the shareholder relations department, with the goal of providing exceptional service and opportunities for workforce development, shareholder hire, and Iñupiaq language and culture revitalization. 

Sandy is a shareholder from Kotzebue. Most recently, she was assistant superintendent for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. Prior to that, she served as director of Indigenous programs for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, overseeing initiatives that support Alaska Native and rural students and help them to achieve success. Sandy began her 30-year career in Deering as an Iñupiaq language and language arts teacher, before becoming a principal and administrator in Fairbanks and Kotzebue. She also directed Nikaitchuat Ilisaġviat, the only Iñupiaq language immersion school in Alaska. 

In 2018, the Alaska State Legislature appointed Sandy to join the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development. Sandy has a bachelor’s degree in English and a bachelor’s degree in Iñupiaq language from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from National University in California.