At Kootznoowoo’s 53rd Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Nadja Kookesh was elected to her first three-year term on the Kootznoowoo, Inc. Board of Directors. Her service continues a family legacy of leadership at Kootznoowoo. Her father, Matthew Kookesh, previously served on the Board, as did her cousin, Melissa Kookesh.
Nadja brings extensive professional experience in Alaska Native corporate leadership, along with deep connections and roots in Angoon. She currently lives in Juneau, where she serves as Chief Administrative Officer for Goldbelt, Incorporated. Her responsibilities include oversight of major corporate functions such as human resources, communications, shareholder services, and enterprise operations.
Nadja’s connection to Kootznoowoo, Inc. also extends back several decades. In addition to being a shareholder, Kootznoowoo is also where she began her professional career. In the mid-1990s, while attending Western Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in journalism and anthropology, Nadja spent a summer interning with Kootznoowoo. That early experience helped launch a professional career that would eventually lead her into Alaska Native corporate leadership.
In her candidate statement, Nadja shared what Kootznoowoo and Angoon mean to her: “I come from Angoon and carry a deep respect for the responsibility our corporation holds—to protect our lands, strengthen our community, and create meaningful opportunities for future generations. Like many of you, my connection to Kootznoowoo is both personal and cultural. Our corporation represents more than a business; it represents our history, our people, and the future of our village.”
As she begins her Board service, Nadja identified three areas of particular importance to her: strong and responsible governance, sustainable economic growth, and maintaining a strong connection with shareholders and the community. She emphasized the importance of Board oversight, transparency, long-term strategic direction, responsible investment, and open communication with shareholders.
Please join us in welcoming Director Nadja Kookesh to the Kootznoowoo Board of Directors and wishing her well as she begins this new chapter of service.
