AYEA teen leaders, graduates, and adult mentors form our Statewide Advisory Group (SWAG), which provides strategic direction and oversight for our program. SWAG members participate in bi-monthly 1 hour teleconferences to address statewide AYEA decisions, and one face-to-face retreat for strategic planning. SWAG is always a fun group of dynamic, committed youth leaders, graduates and mentors. See below for current members.
Read more about SWAG Roles & Responsibilities
Want more Info? Ask Megan McBride mcbridem(at)ayea(.)org or 907-339-3907
SWAG is now accepting applications. Click here to JOIN SWAG
2010-2011 AYEA Statewide Advisory Group
Amanda Huff, Fairbanks (Graduate )
Amanda Huff graduated from Bartlett High School in Anchorage in 2003. She attended the University of Alaska Southeast and the University of Alaska Fairbanks studying Business. She currently works at the Fairbanks Public Library in the processing department. Amanda and her husband own Alaska Universal Productions, a local audio/visual company. During her spare time she enjoys being outside and ballroom/Latin dancing with friends and family. She is excited to be involved with such an energetic and world-changing group like AYEA!
Claire Fordyce, Juneau (Adult Mentor)
Claire first volunteered with AYEA during the Summer Get Together in 1999. She was soon hooked on volunteering for AYEA in a myriad of capacities. She co-coordinates the annual Civics & Conservation Summit and provides local support to the JAYEA chapter. Growing up in Australia, Claire is a graduate of Melbourne University, with a Bachelor of Education in Science. She taught high school Biology, Physical Science and Natural Resource Management, prior to travel in Indonesia, Japan and Thailand, eventually putting down roots in Alaska. Passionate about the rights of youth to learn, form opinions, be heard by civic leaders, and lead and shape decisions, Claire supports youth seats on Boards and Commissions. Claire is inspired by the AYEA team and their achievements.
Joe Okitkun, Kotlik (Graduate)
Joe first became involved with AYEA as a student at Mt. Edgecumbe High school as part of the MEAYEA chapter. In high school he was an active leader in the Letter to Our Leaders Global Warming campaign and the 3-2-1 Energy Efficiency campaign. Since high school, Joe has volunteered as an adult mentor at AYEA’s 2008 Art in Action Training and AYEA’s 2009 Summer Training. Joe is currently a second year student at University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Joseph Ransdell-Green, Fairbanks (Teen Member)
Joseph is sixteen and has lived in Alaska since he was five years old. He lives north of Fairbanks and spends time most summers staying in a wall tent in Southeast Alaska. Joseph attended the AYEA Civics and Conservation Summit 2010 in Juneau. Environmental activism and ornithology are his principal interests in life. Some of his hobbies are writing songs, playing guitar, contra dancing, wilderness hiking and exploring the natural history of Alaska.
Liz Dean, Anchorage (Graduate)
Liz became first involved with AYEA in 2003 at the Summer Get Together on pesticides and toxins. Since then, she has attended and peer trained at the Civics and Conservation Summit, as well as remained active in the conservation community. Currently, Liz works as a community organizer at Alaska Center for the Environment, and interns at the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska. She enjoys biking, photography, and doing-it-yourself, while is inspired by activism and sustainable lifestyles.
Current SWAG Members Google Docs log-in
SWAG Meeting Calendar log-in


