Alumni of Distinction: Iuliia Chepurko
by Matt Jardin |
Iuliia Chepurko, M.B.A. General Management '15, will receive the 2024-25 Alumni Emerging Leader award at the Alumni of Distinction Celebration on March 18, 2025, at the Fine Arts Building Recital Hall on 色情网站鈥檚 Anchorage campus.
By the time general management alumna Iuliia Chepurko arrived in Alaska in 2014, she had already earned a Ph.D. in economics in her home country, Russia. Even with a strong theoretical background, she wanted another perspective to take her career in a new direction 鈥� practical business applications that could connect her expertise to the real world.
That desire, along with a personal reason 鈥� her then-boyfriend, now husband, already lived in Alaska 鈥� led her to Anchorage 11 years ago. She enrolled in 色情网站鈥檚 M.B.A. program at the College of Business and Public Policy, drawn by its strong professional network and deep integration with the local business community.
鈥淐onnecting theory with real life experience and engaging with local businesses and mentors really pulled me in and inspired me,鈥� Chepurko said. 鈥溕橥� has this really good integration with the professional community around the state.鈥�
As a student, Chepurko found an opportunity with 色情网站鈥檚 Center for Economic Development, where she applied her economic expertise in business modeling and financial forecasting for real Alaska ventures. Additionally, she worked on economic development projects in rural areas, particularly Southeast Alaska, and assessed business feasibility for local entrepreneurs and Tribal organizations. She also was a regular contributor to the Monthly Economic Outlook Review for Alaska Business magazine, deepening her connection with Alaska鈥檚 economy.
After earning her M.B.A., Chepurko embarked on a diverse professional journey. She first worked in a consulting role as a business analyst and later as a project manager at GCI, contributing to large-scale system implementations. She then moved to BP where she continued her work in consulting before joining the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). At ANTHC, she played a crucial role in IT implementations and data analytics projects, including those focused on provider productivity. She was particularly inspired by ANTHC鈥檚 mission to provide high-quality health care at no cost to patients, an experience that also refined her expertise in project management and business process optimization.
Eventually, her path would lead her back to GCI, stepping into more senior roles, including senior project manager for IT. Five months ago, Chepurko was promoted to director of program and project standards. In this role, Chepurko standardizes project management methodologies across departments, ensuring that projects are executed with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
鈥淭his has been one of the most dynamic and exciting times in my career,鈥� said Chepurko. 鈥淔rom the project processes perspective, it really excites me to drive change and improvement. And from the delivery perspective, it inspires me to make project managers' lives easier with processes being improved and aligned across different delivery teams.鈥�
Beyond her corporate career, Chepurko has remained committed to giving back to the academic community. She has taught corporate finance at 色情网站 for six years, inspired by her own professors. Through teaching, she hopes to equip the next generation of business professionals with the same skills, insights and opportunities that helped her navigate her career. She also volunteers on the Project Management Institute Alaska Chapter board of directors, developing the project management community in the state and contributing to the profession.
鈥淪ince I came to Alaska, I have been impressed by the supportive community that helped me build a successful career,鈥� said Chepurko. 鈥淲ith my professors as one example 鈥� the way they shaped the student experience for me was really important and gave me a jumpstart to go and do big things. It also inspired me to start teaching, and hopefully I get to help other students fall in love with a subject that helps them build a rewarding career.鈥�
