Welcome to our 2026-2028 Board Members

We are happy to announce the following three members will be joining our board for their first, full three-year terms!  Lauren Johnson has been serving on the board for the last few months to complete Sarah Owen’s final year and will be returning for a full, three-year term. And Kristin O’Lear and Dylainie Nathlich will be joining us new board members.  Please learn more about our newest board members below!We also want to send a huge thank you to our departing board members. Nadia Jackinsky-Sethi is departing after serving three years on the board. Sarah Owens departed the board earlier this year after five years on the board, two of them as Vice President. Bethany Buckingham Follett just completed six years serving on the board during which she served in several positions on the executive committee, including President.  We appreciate their service and all the work and advocacy they have done on behalf of us and the museum and cultural center field.

WELCOME TO OUR 2026-2028 BOARD MEMBERS!

	Lauren JohnsonLauren Johnson serves as the President and Executive Director of the Chugach Heritage Foundation and the President of Chugach Museum.

In her role, she oversees an organization that has awarded over $11 million in scholarships and various cultural programs throughout the year to include the regional Nuuciq Spirit Camp. Lauren has had the honor of supporting Chugach Museum since its incorporation in 2022. The new entity will be located in midtown Anchorage and will open its doors in 2028.  Lauren holds a Bachelor of Business Administrative Management from University of Alaska Anchorage and a Master of Business Administration from Alaska Pacific University. She also serves on the board of other statewide organizations that focuses on the revitalization and celebration of Alaska Native cultures. She has a passion for cultural preservation, education, and promoting community engagement.

	Dylainie NathlichDylainie Nathlich is the Executive Director of the Palmer Museum of History and Art, with nearly a decade of experience in collections management, exhibition design, curation, education, and interpretive programming.

She began her work in Alaska in 2021 as an intern with the Alaska State Libraries, Archives, and Museums at the Alaska Museum of Transportation and Industry. Since then, she has worked with the Talkeetna Historical Society, the Palmer Museum, and other Southcentral Alaska museums. Dylainie has implemented new cataloging systems at multiple institutions and led numerous exhibits and community-focused projects.She holds a B.A. in Art History and Studio Art and an M.A. in Museum Studies, and serves on the board of the Palmer Community Foundation. Dylainie is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals and supporting the growth of Alaska’s museum community.

	Kristin O’LearKristin O’Lear brings over a decade of nonprofit experience to her role as Executive Director of the Kodiak History Museum and to her work on the Museums Alaska Board.

Kristin has developed expertise in organizational management, advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving during her years in the field. She is motivated to contribute to Museums Alaska’s mission at this crucial moment, when cultural institutions statewide face funding challenges and broader misunderstandings about the value of nonprofits.Kristin believes Museums Alaska plays a vital role in amplifying advocacy and enhancing public understanding, and is eager to bring her skills and perspective to support this work. Having completed her first year, of professional leadership in Alaska, Kristin feels prepared to serve the museum community at a higher level, and is enthusiastic about advancing Museums Alaska’s mission and supporting institutions across Alaska.

Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in serving on the board, to all of the members who voted, and to all of our departing board members. And to our newest board members, we look forward to working with you to serve the museum and cultural center field!