UAA announces 2019 Alumni of Distinction recipients

The University of Alaska Anchorage Office of Alumni Relations and the UAA Alumni Association are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 UAA Alumni of Distinction awards. These three distinguished UAA alumni will be honored for their outstanding contributions in their chosen fields and communities at the university's annual Homecoming Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Alaska Airlines Center on UAA's campus.

The event will feature keynote speaker and UAA alumna Dr. Kathleen M. Sutcliffe. A Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University and published author, Sutcliffe has built her career studying how organizations in high-reliability industries can prepare and deal with inevitable uncertainty. The title of Sutcliffe's keynote address is "Managing the Unexpected: Resilience in an Age of Uncertainty."

Vanessa Norman - Alumni Emerging Leader Award B.B.A. Management and Marketing '04 Attorney with law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Vanessa Norman is an attorney at the law office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Norman's practice includes advising businesses in Alaska and the Lower 48, with a special emphasis on assisting Alaska Native corporations with general corporate matters, including governance, contract disputes and transactions for the purchase/sale of businesses. Norman is on the board of directors of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Russian Orthodox Sacred Sites in Alaska, and Anchorage Rowing Association. She is also the co-chair of her law firm's national Attorneys of Color Affinity Group, a co-chair of the planning committee for the annual pro bono legal clinic held at Alaska Federation of Natives, and a volunteer for Alaska Legal Services.

Angelia Trujillo - Alumni Humanitarian Award

B.S. Nursing Science '97, M.S. Nursing Science '04 Women's health nurse practitioner with Denali OB-GYN Clinic and associate professor with UAA School of Nursing

Angelia Trujillo has worked in the field of interpersonal violence, sexual assault and public health for approximately 15 years. Trujillo currently practices as a women's health nurse practitioner with Denali OB-GYN Clinic and has worked as a forensic nurse examiner. At the UAA School of Nursing, Trujillo serves as associate professor specializing in community health. She is also the founder of the university's Alaska Comprehensive Forensic Training Academy.

Jacqueline "Jacki" Holzman - Alumni of Achievement Award M.S. Environmental Quality Science '92 Deputy regional administrator for the Alaska region of the FAA

Jacki Holzman is the recently appointed deputy regional administrator for the Alaska region of the Federal Aviation Administration. Her promotion is the culmination of a 27-year career with the FAA, starting as an environmental engineer. Holzman also remains engaged with UAA by mentoring the next generation of leaders through her work with the UAA College of Business and Public Policy's Tom Case Leadership Fellows and Tom Case Leadership Fellows Junior programs.

These award recipients will be honored at Homecoming Breakfast, a morning event that brings UAA alumni and friends together to celebrate alumni achievements and university successes.

Doors to the Alaska Airlines Center will open at 7 a.m., followed by a breakfast buffet, presentation of the awards and a program for the alumni audience. Guests will be invited to make a financial donation to the university fund of their choosing.

New this year, organizations are invited to sponsor reserved tables. Green Level Tables are $600 and Reserved are $400. Gold Level Tables have sold out. Individual general admission tickets are also available for $35. Net proceeds from table and ticket sales are tax deductible. Quantities are limited, so reserve your table by visiting uaa.alaska.edu/alumni.

For more information, contact Alumni Relations at 907-786-1701 or seawolf.forever@alaska.edu, or visit uaa.alaska.edu/alumni.

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