Marin Ridge, overlooking Pasagshak Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska
Experienced, Professional, and Caring
Volunteer Board of Directors
President
Laura Walters, MD
Laura was raised in rural Idaho, but spent her early years in rural Alaska where her father was a dentist in the Public Health Service. She completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in Zoology at the University of Idaho, and medical school at the University of Washington. Her Family Practice residency in Duluth Minnesota included intensive training in obstetrical care. She arrived to Kodiak in September of 1998, fell in love with this community, and has since dedicated herself to providing quality health care to people of all ages. Laura benefited personally from breastfeeding support after the birth of her own child, and appreciates how KINDNESS fulfills an essential component of maternal child health care.
Vice-President/Treasurer
Paquita Sofia Mundaca Kimbro
Paquita was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She is a mother to two beautiful little girls, a wife, and volunteer and works in a wide variety of capacities around Kodiak. She is currently studying towards becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician. Paquita benefited from KINDNESS services with both her girls, and is proud to be serving as an inaugural board member. Paquita is a key member of our team with experience in finance. She is also our back-up translator for our Spanish-speaking program participants, bringing the same quality of care to Kodiak’s families that her own family received not so long ago!
Secretary
Alison Horn
Alison is the mother of two rather spirited girls, Everly and Emerson. She is a born and bred Kodiak girl who is extremely happy to be home with her husband, Sean, raising their girls in the same amazing community they both grew up in. Alison benefited greatly from the KINDNESS program with both of her girls, and is passionate about seeing the program continue to support all Kodiak families in big and small ways in a very vulnerable time in life for both baby and new parents. Alison not only organizes and keeps board records, she keeps all of us on track with scheduling our meetings and focusing our discussions. Alison lends her endless positive energy to promoting community awareness of KINDNESS in everything she does, ensuring all families know about this great resource!
Privacy Officer
Kim Sibrel
Born and raised in the scorching Mojave Desert in California, from a young age Kim dreamed of living in Alaska. In 2013 that dream came true when she and her husband moved to Kodiak with their 2-year-old son. She brings to our board years of experience as a Logistics Deputy Program Manager for the Department of the Navy. Kim has served multiple years on the Kodiak Women’s Resource and Crisis Center Board of Directors and the Women’s Bay Community Council, including 2 years as Chair. Son number two was born in Kodiak and KINDNESS helped with many aspects of infant feeding. The Sibrels love raising their family in Kodiak, and Kim feels privileged to be a part of an organization that is integral to creating a supportive environment for all Kodiak families. She is building on the KINDNESS once shown to her own family by leading our compliance program and contributing creative ideas to our fundraising efforts.
Public Relations/Social Media/Events
Tasnah Bercy
Originally from Perkiomville, PA, Tasnah moved to Kodiak with her husband, Lukas, in 2018. She brought her event/wedding planning business to the island and started an art gig inspired by the nature and wildlife here. Together she and Lukas started a sport fishing charter business, Kodiak Marine Charters. They welcomed their daughter, Kailia, in 2021 and KINDNESS played a huge role in supporting the transition to parenthood. She’s excited to bring her event planning experience and love for all things artsy to the KINDNESS board.
US Coast Guard Liaison/Events
Ashley Wallace
Ashley grew up in Cheyenne Wyoming but refers to Kodiak as home. She moved to Kodiak in 2013 with the U.S. Coast Guard leaving in 2019 and returning in 2023. Ashley learned about the KINDNESS project with the adoption of her son Stone in 2021. Kodiak KINDNESS Project helped guide her through breastfeeding/SNS feeding, lip and tongue tie challenges, and the transition into solids. She loved her experience with KINDNESS so much that when she had her second baby Riplee in Louisiana in 2022, she called and asked to enroll her in the program from afar! Now back in Kodiak, she was overjoyed to learn of the Coast Guard Liaison position and eagerly became part of the KINDNESS team, giving back to the community and helping Coast Guard members and their families.