Statewide Youth Leadership Board 2023-2025

Facing Foster Care in Alaska is led by a Statewide Youth Leadership Board (YLB) of foster youth and alumni, elected every two years by FFCA Members aged 15-24. The YLB plans and facilitates statewide youth leadership retreats and conferences, training for child welfare staff and caregivers, offers support and mentorship to members across the state, and sets the tone of policy advocacy efforts on behalf of FFCA.

Abigail Redmon
Statewide Representative

Hi! My name is Abbey Redmon, and I am a 19-year-old resident of Anchorage, Alaska, and I have a unique upbringing as one of 12 siblings. Growing up in Anchorage, I faced challenges navigating the foster care system throughout my childhood and adolescence. Despite these obstacles, I have found purpose and passion through my involvement with FFCA since 2019. Currently serving as the Statewide Representative on the Youth Leadership Board, I am committed to advocating for the needs and rights of foster youth. I believe youth should be free from institutional harm.​
​

Adu Wassilie
Western Representative

Hello there! My name is Adu and I am currently residing in Bethel, Alaska. I am a passionate individual who takes great pleasure in connecting with others. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by people who bring joy to my life. Although my journey through foster care for 7 years had its share of ups and downs, I am now actively involved with FFCA and hold a position on the Youth Leadership Board as the Western Representative. My current focus is on subsistence, gathering, and hunting. I am taking life one day at a time and striving to achieve balance between my mind, body, and spirit. In exciting news, I am soon to be married and cannot wait to embark on this new journey as a husband.

Deko Harbi
Anchorage Representative

Hello, my name is Deko Harbi and I am an 18-year-old student currently pursuing a degree in Business at the esteemed University of Alaska Anchorage. Having spent three years in foster care, I have developed a deep passion for advocating for the rights of children in similar situations. As an Anchorage Representative on the Youth Leader Board for FFCA, I am committed to working towards reforming a system that has been broken for far too long. In my role as the Anchorage Representative, I am dedicated to finding ways to bring foster care back to its intended purpose of protecting and saving children from dangerous situations. Join me on this journey towards creating a better future for our youth.

Kxlo Stone
Anchorage Representative

​Hello, I am Kxlo, also known as Princess. With 21 years of life experience, I have primarily resided in the beautiful state of Alaska. As a former foster child, I took the courageous step of emancipating from Alaska at the age of 17, and have been self-reliant since my mid-teens. At 18, I was fortunate enough to be adopted, along with my four siblings, by a remarkable family we had met through Beacon Hill in Georgia. They have been our cherished friends and unwavering supporters for years. Now an adult, I am engaged in the vehicle repair industry, while enjoying quality time with my partner and our delightful herd of Guinea pigs.

Magnus Ziegler  Southcentral Representative

Hello, I am Magnus, an 19-year-old individual who has spent the last three years in foster care. For the past two and a half years, I have resided in Willow, Alaska. My journey within the foster care system has been challenging due to inherent struggles, yet I am immensely grateful to my foster family for their unwavering care and support. FFCA has played a pivotal role in my life, enlightening me about various opportunities and advocating for youth facing similar circumstances. As the Southcentral Representative on the Youth Leadership Board for FFCA, I have found a second family, where a shared commonality unites us all.
​
​

Mateo Jaime 
​Community Relations

Mateo is in his third term as community relations liaison on the Youth Leadership Board. Mateo joined FFCA as a teen eager to share his experience and make a difference for others. He interned during the 2020-2021 Legislative Session at the Alaska State Capital. He's a staunch advocate for youth rights and has been highlighted by NPR, the Anchorage Daily News and numerous media outlets highlighting his experiences and advocacy to ensure foster youth have access to their own social security, and are free from harm in facilities. Mateo is a senior in the Justice program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. ​
​

Layla Webster
Southeast Regional Representative

​

Northern Representative

The Statewide Youth Leadership Board is currently recruiting for current or former foster youth between the ages of 15-24, residing in Northern Alaska to join our team.

Board of Directors & Staff

The FFCA Board of Directors and Staff oversee non-profit operations and follow the direction of the Youth Leadership Board and FFCA Membership. FFCA Youth Leadership Board and Members often develop skills to transition to roles with the Board of Directors.

Monica Hinson-Wilson

President/Treasurer

Monica Hinson-Wilson Lives in Juneau Alaska. She joined FFCA as a youth member. She served as Southeast Representative on the Statewide Youth Leadership Board hosting statewide retreats, engaging in advocacy at the state and nations capital, and leading Juneau regional events before being elected to the Board of Directors. Monica is the President and Treasurer of the FFCA Board of Directors. She volunteers as an advocate pushing child welfare reforms with the National Foster Youth Institute in Washington D.C., contributed to the indigenous connectedness research of Dr. Jessica Ullrich and recently presented findings at the National Indian Child Welfare Conference in 2023. She works at APICDA Joint Ventures in Juneau, AK.

Eva Denison

Vice President

Eva Denison lives in Fairbanks Alaska. Originally from Valdez, She joined FFCA after aging out of foster care in Fairbanks Alaska, eager to make a change. Eva served an extended term as the Northern Regional Representative on the Statewide Youth Leadership Board before being elected to the Board of Directors and being appointed as the Vice President. Eva is passionate about policy and serves on the FFCA Legal committee. ​Eva has served in multiple roles giving back to the community, and is currently a member of the Air National Guard. 

Tristan Thompson

Secretary

Tristan Thompson lives in Anchorage, Alaska. Originally from Russian Mission, Tristan spent 7 year in foster care and moved through 7 foster care placements. Tristan Thompson joined FFCA as a youth member serving as a Representative for the Southcentral/Matsu and Anchorage Regions where he planned and facilitated youth events, shared his lived-experience with child welfare staff caregivers and public officials in hopes to promote positive changes. Tristan was elected to the Board of Directors in 2023 and appointed Secretary in March of 2024. He is a graduate of Alaska Job Corps, and works to transport elders to appointments. 

Barb Malchick

Board Member, Legal Committee Chair

​Barb worked as a child advocate attorney for more than 25 years, with a particular interest in advocating for older foster youth. She currently works for the court system training judges, lawyers, child advocates, social workers, and tribal representatives involved in the child protection system. Barb has been involved with FFCA since its beginning, and credits the FFCA youth with educating her and making her a better advocate. She is constantly inspired by the youth’s stories, their courage, their resiliency, and their desire to make the child protection system better for the children and youth that follow them.  She is proud to be part of an organization that is truly youth-led.  In addition to her passion for FFCA, Barb loves biking, playing her ukulele, and snorkeling.  She lives in Anchorage with her wonderful husband and two adorable cats.

Angel Gonzales

Ex Efficio Board Member/Special Projects

​Angel, an alumnus of Alaska's foster care system, has been involved with FFCA for more than a decade, beginning her tenure as a youth member before being elected as an Anchorage Representative on the Statewide Youth Leadership Board. She joined the Board of Directors and was elected as Deputy-President before moving to serve two terms as President of the Board of Directors. Angel is passionate about improving child welfare systems through educating youth about their rights, resources, and raising community awareness. Angel has shared her own lived-expertise at the Local, state and national level with a focus on improved Permanency, Racial Equity, sibling contact, and the need for mentors. Angel has promoted advocacy through her work as an artist, being featured several times on the cover of National CASA, and the Anchorage Press.  Angel worked as a trainer for the Sync mentoring program to match foster youth with mentors, she served on the Western Pacific Implementation Center, and she is a certified trainer for Fostering Futures with National CASA. Angel serves as Co-Chair of the Governor's Foster Care Collaborative Council.

Amanda Metivier

Co-Founder/Board Member

​Amanda  is an alumni of  Alaska's foster care system. Amanda along with group of foster youth/alumni, co-founded Facing Foster Care in Alaska in 2003. Through her advocacy with FFCA She has led efforts to expand services and supports for foster youth across Alaska. Amanda is the Director of the Child Welfare Academy overseeing training of child welfare staff and the Office of Youth Empowerment (OYE), a partnership of the Child Welfare Academy and FFCA. She spent a decade managing the college fund for foster youth & provides training for child welfare staff & allies. She was a foster parent for 15 years and has adopted from foster care. Amanda has been recognized for her work to amplify youth voice and sharing her own experience. She received the Casey Excellence for Children Award, was named one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40, was recognized by Alaska Children’s Trust as a Champion for Kids, was honored by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement,  was named one of Treehouse Foundation's Champions for Re-Envisioning Foster Care in in America in 2020, and was recognized by the University of Alaska Anchorage as an Alumni of Distinction in 2021. 

Sean Gaither

Board Member, Fundraising Committee Chair

Sean was born in San Francisco California and grew up mainly in the Bay Area. He moved to Alaska in 2007. Sean has worked any job you can think of from door to door sales to his role as the Associate Program Coordinator for the housing department for Covenant House Alaska.  Have supported and enjoyed volunteering for non profits in and out of the state. I am happy to be working with FFCA after seeing the passion and heart that everyone brings to support change in the foster care system in Alaska. ​

Sarah Lewis

 

---

Project Coordinator/Deputy Treasurer

Sarah spent five years in foster care and  joined FFCA at age 16 as a member. She was elected as an Anchorage Representative on the Youth Leadership Board and served as the Youth Liaison on the Board of Directors. Sarah is the Project Coordinator at the Office of Youth Empowerment (OYE), a partnership of the Child Welfare Academy and FFCA. Sarah brings a wealth of lived-expertise and advocacy to FFCA. She successfully advocated for foster care re-entry and re-entered foster care herself after aging out to homelessness. She led efforts to restrict the use of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) the goal foster youth get when they age out.  Sarah has planned, coordinated hundreds of training, retreats, and youth empowerment events for foster youth/alumni statewide. She offers support and professional mentorship to FFCA members across the state. Sarah served as a FosterClub Allstar, and was a foster/adoptive parent to her own siblings in care. Sarah represents FFCA on the Governor's Foster Care Collaborative Council (and chairs the youth voice subcommittee), the Court Improvement Program, the Alaska Impact Alliance, and the National State Policy and Advocacy Reform Center (SPARC).

Anna Redmon

Board Member, Youth Specialist

Anna spent 4 years in foster care and moved between 16 foster care placements. She joined FFCA as a member at age 14, eager to share her lived-experience to improve child-welfare. She has also served as a foster parent to her younger siblings. Anna was elected to serve an extended term as the Statewide Representative for the Youth Leadership Board before being elected to the Board of Directors. She is currently a Youth Specialist for FFCA offering assistance and peer support to members in need of housing, transportation, food, life skills development and helps with program planning and events. 

 

Rachel Bedsworth

Board Member

DJ Herman

Deputy Secretary

​DJ was born in Juneau, Alaska & is a part of Tlingit tribe in Southeast Alaska. She is a Sealaska & Goldbelt Shareholder as well as a member of Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes. DJ has worked with Covenant House Alaska for over 5 years as a case manager & she’s worked with foster care youth facing homelessness within Alaska & has helped youth connect with Office of Children's Services & Office of Public Assistance to find the support & services needed for their circumstances revolving around being homeless while in foster care. DJ is also the owner of her own local photography business that focuses on sharing Alaska’s scenery, wildlife & mystique via Social media.

Honorary Board Members 
Rebecca Shier
Gary Lose
Gibby Hernandez
​Clare Ross-Emeritus
​Janine Reep