Tisha Kuhns and Andrea Burgess among 4 Alaska Native women selected for prestigious national award.
Calista (cha-LIS-tah) Corporation is pleased to share the news of Vice President of Land and Natural Resources Tisha Kuhns’ selection as a 2021 Native American 40 Under 40 award recipient by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).
Every year, the NCAIED inducts 40 American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian leaders under the age of 40 for their leadership, initiative, dedication, and for their significant contributions in their business and/or in their community. Award winners include leaders working in fields including academia, government, nonprofits, tourism, nature conservation, technology and more.
“Tisha is committed to responsible development and protection of our lands for current and future generations of Calista Shareholders. She is a strong advocate for Alaska Native self-determination and works vigorously and regularly to ensure state and federal leaders follow their obligation to consult with Native corporations and our Tribes when they make decisions involving our lands,” said Andrew Guy, Calista Corp. President/CEO.
Kuhns contributes an Indigenous perspective to state policy makers by serving on the Alaska Minerals Commission and the Alaska Miners Association Board. Her full bio is available at https://www.calistacorp.com/business/leadership/executives/.
Calista also celebrates the recognition of Shareholder Andrea Akall’eq Burgess, from Quinhagak, who also received an NCAIED 40 Under 40 award this year. Burgess is the Global Director of Conservation in Partnership with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for The Nature Conservancy. Kuhns and Burgess are two of only four young Alaska Native young leaders—all women—selected for the NCAIED award this year.
To read the NCAIED announcement, visit www.ncaied.org/the-national-center-names-2021-native-american-40-under-40-award-recipients.
