About Alaska Conservation Solutions
Alaska Conservation Solutions was founded in 2005 to draw attention to the pervasive consequences of climate change in Alaska, and also to pursue solutions to the problem. The work of Alaska Conservation Solutions is supported by grants from the Education Foundation of America, Endurance Fund, and the America Conservation Association through National Environmental Trust; and grants from the Hewlett Foundation, the Norcross Foundation, the Ametek Foundation, and individuals such as Ben and Ruth Hammett through The Ocean Foundation; as well as contributions from numerous concerned individuals. If you wish to volunteer or contribute to the work of Alaska Conservation Solutions, please
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for more information.
Finally, Alaska Conservation Solutions benefits from the outstanding work of Heather Benz, Anna Davidson, Barbara Dey, Margaret Manousoff, Mary Walker, Nancy Wallace, and Ari Zandman-Zeman.
Andrea Sanders, President
 Andrea Sanders is a lively addition to the Alaska conservation community. Her Yupik heritage and close ties to southwest Alaska have made her a natural advocate for sustainable living. A former Hoya, Andrea graduated from Georgetown University in 2008, receiving her B.A. in Government with special emphasis on international human rights. Her professional experience includes working as an Alaska Renewable Energy Organizer for the Union of Concerned Scientists, and as a Land Law Examiner for the Bureau of Land Management. Andrea also participated in the Morris K. Udall Congressional Internship and the First Alaskans Institute summer intern program.
Andrea shifted her attention and priorities to focus on climate change because of her understanding of the severity of the issue. Also a witness to the impacts of climate change, her desire to keep Alaska’s pristine lands and ecosystems intact was a strong driver. Her optimism in our state, country, and world has allowed her to move forward on a path to inform and inspire everyday people about the drastic climatic changes occurring in the Arctic and the world.
Andrea’s heroes are all of the First Peoples who know that their wisdom and ways are needed to reshape the direction our Mother Earth is moving. Her heroes are those who take leadership roles in a movement brought on by hope for our children’s futures and histories.
Deborah L. Williams, Founder
 Ms. Williams has been actively involved in conservation and sustainable community issues in Alaska for over 25 years, and is now focusing on global warming. She received her B.A. from Pomona College, summa cum laude, with a concentration in Biology and Economics. Subsequently she was graduated from Harvard Law School, with honors, and was the principal founder of and co-editor-in-chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review.
After serving in the Department of Interior’s Solicitors Honors Program in Washington D.C., Ms. Williams represented the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. Between 1981 and 1994, Ms. Williams was the Executive Director of the Alaska Consumer Advocacy Program and of the Alaska Lung Association, while serving on many boards and commissions, including Trustees for Alaska (president of the board) and the Municipal Health Commission (chair of the Environmental Health Committee). In 1994, Ms. Williams received a Presidential appointment, and became the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Interior for Alaska, in which position she advised the Secretary about managing over 220 million acres of national lands in Alaska and working with Alaska tribes and others associated with the Department’s broad natural and cultural resource jurisdiction. She also was a Trustee on the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council and other boards. For over six years, Ms. Williams served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Conservation Foundation, winning many awards in that role.
Deborah Williams is currently the Executive Director of the Alaska Democratic Party. Ms. Williams has published numerous law review and other articles, has been featured repeatedly in the media (including 60 Minutes, the New York Times and BBC), and has taught graduate level courses at both the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University. She greatly enjoys backpacking, skiing, gardening, building, and traveling with her family.
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