2024-25 Award Recipients
The Alumni of Distinction awards provide the 色情网站 Alumni Association the opportunity to recognize and celebrate alumni who have made important contributions in their communities and whose actions honor the legacy of excellence at the 色情网站.
Congratulations to the most recent recipients, honored at the Alumni of Distinction Celebration on March 18, 2025.
Maria Bourne 鈥� 2024-25 Alumni of Achievement Award
B.B.A. Accounting '06
President and CEO of Denali Universal Services
Originating from a small town in rural Russian Far East, Bourne moved to the U.S. and graduated high school at the age of 17 while facing the challenges of adapting to a new country and language. After earning her bachelor鈥檚 in accounting from 色情网站, she was immediately recruited to KPMG Anchorage as an auditor. Over the next nine years, she would earn her certified public accountant designation and become audit senior manager, overseeing major corporate portfolios. In 2015, Bourne became CFO of Denali Universal Services, and by 35, she was its first female president and CEO. In 2024, she led a landmark management buyout, transitioning the company from a publicly held entity to private ownership. Denali Universal Services, a leader in facilities management and security services, employs over 1,000 people and is now eligible as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise. Read more about Maria Bourne >>
E. Ingrid Goodyear 鈥� 2024-25 Alumni Humanitarian Award
M.Ed. Educational Leadership '11
Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Coordinator for the Great Plains and
Alaska at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Alaska
As the missing or murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) regional coordinator for the Great Plains and Alaska at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alaska, Goodyear leads efforts to improve responses to MMIP cases and address their root causes, collaborating with tribes and communities to develop solutions for public safety. Her work has brought attention to issues disproportionately affecting Alaska Native communities, ensuring resources reach those in need. In recognition of her impact, she received the 2023 James Gay Award from Victims for Justice and was honored at the Red Dress Gala for her contributions to the MMIP movement. For over two decades, Goodyear has supported public education, youth, culture and tribal courts across Alaska, serving as a teacher, justice and advisor. Read more about E. Ingrid Goodyear >>
Iuliia Chepurko 鈥� 2024-25 Alumni Emerging Leader Award
M.B.A. General Management '15
Director of Program and Project Standards at GCI
In her professional journey, Chepurko has led IT and business transformations across health care, telecommunications, manufacturing, finance and economic development. Starting as a financial analyst at Fazer, she later transitioned to IT as a project manager, spearheading an enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration. After moving to Alaska, she worked as a system analyst and project manager while attending 色情网站. In her previous role as senior IT project manager at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Chepurko supported statewide health care initiatives, earning an Anchorage Daily News award for business and technology achievements. Now at GCI as director of program and project standards, she leads project processes alignment across the organization and multiple delivery teams. In addition to her M.B.A. from 色情网站, Chepurko holds a Ph.D. in economics, certifications including PMP, ITIL, CBAP and RMP, and completed the Women in Leadership Harvard Division of Continuing Education course. Read more about Iuliia Chepurko >>