Executive Team
ALISON KEAR
Executive Director
Alison moved to Alaska in 1994 and soon after discovered her purpose when she began supporting our at-risk youth at Covenant House Alaska (CHA). Her tenacity, ability to make connections and never take no for an answer propelled her to the position of Executive Director in 2012. Alison’s most notable success was raising enough capital during the 2010 recession to construct a new building and youth center for CHA, during which she inspired people all over the country with her courage, conviction and leadership. She values education and has received schooling from all over, including Florida and Texas, but the best was the 2012 Alaska Pacific University Masters Program.
Alison has dedicated her time and energy to Special Olympics Alaska, Soroptimist International of Cook Inlet, Alzheimer’s Association, Breast Cancer fundraising, and YWCAAK. She also loves to spend time with her best friend and devoted Goldendoodle, Charlie. She inspires her employees by throwing 30-second dance parties for anyone with good news.
Kirsten Kolb
Chief Operating Officer
After spending the past twenty years working for healthcare organizations, Kirsten Kolb joined the Covenant House Alaska team as the Chief Impact and Strategy Officer in September 2022. With both a Master’s of Health Administration degree and a Master’s of Science Public Relations degree, she is able to apply the concepts of performance improvement and communication to the practical implementation of the organization’s strategy. While serving in a variety of roles at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Kirsten was closely involved in the implementation and application of the Strategic Plan and scorecard and the development of statewide networks.
Kirsten’s career also includes ten years of military service. She is a mother to two college-going stepchildren and a kindergartner. She is an avid runner and has called Alaska her home since 2005
Heidi Huppert
Chief Program Officer
Heidi was raised in Anchorage and attended West High School and UAA for social work. She believes in the power of lived experience and ethical storytelling. She founded the Homeless to Heroes group within Covenant House Alaska that provides a community of support for CHA staff who have experienced homelessness. Heidi has been with Covenant House for nearly 20 years and her devotion and passion originates from her personal experiences.
Starting as a Peer Outreach Worker, Heidi witnessed what can happen to young people on the streets of Anchorage without appropriate interventions. Heidi is an FASD and Anti-Trafficking educator who has worked closely with victims of trafficking and law enforcement. Heidi has been a contributor to various works on Leading with Lived Experience and working with young people experiencing homelessness. Heidi loves art and can often be found in her studio painting with one of her giant dogs curled around her feet. With her backpack in tow, Heidi is known to adventure around the world with as little itinerary as possible
