When Anna Stephan first came to work at CIRI in shareholder relations, she had a very different outlook about what went on here. While she had heard many opinions about how the corporation functions, working in shareholders relations involved much more detail than she would have imagined. She has come to appreciate the careful, detailed manner in which financial matters are handled, all to ensure accurate handling of shareholders' checks and money.

"I consider it taking care of their accounts," said Stephan. Stephan began working as a shareholder payables clerk for CIRI in February, filling in for another employee on maternity leave. She finished working at CIRI at the end of June. Her duties involved paying out any monies due to shareholders and answering all shareholder inquiries regarding monies. If a shareholder did not get their checks or money, Stephan was whom they contacted.

Ann Gibbs, Shareholder Relations supervisor, said that the department has thoroughly enjoyed working with Anna. "Anna is respectful, has a great sense of humor, and gets along with everybody," said Gibbs. "She stepped right in and got things done." Gibbs appreciates having fresh eyes seeing their department's processes. "It is nice to see what we accomplish on an every-day basis from another perspective," said Gibbs.

Stephan enjoyed talking to the many different CIRI shareholders she contacted. She interacted with a wide variety of shareholders in different areas of the world. This was very different from her previous job, serving as the chief financial officer of the Native Village of Eklutna for 13 years. Stephan worked with a much smaller range of people in Eklutna, developing close relationships.

"Everyone asks me what village I'm from," said Stephan. She laughs when she tells them she was born and raised in Anchorage. "It's my village," she said. Stephan is a CIRI shareholder, who inherited shares from her mother, CIRI shareholder Alice Golley, from Iliamna. Stephan's father, CIRI shareholder Theodore Golley of Atka, met her mother in high school at Mt. Edgecumbe. Stephan's father-in-law, Leo Stephan, used to serve on CIRI's Board of Directors.

"When my father-in-law was on the Board, we used to hear a lot about CIRI," said Stephan. Stephan's husband of 22 years, CIRI shareholder Lee Stephan, is the chief executive officer and president of the Native Village of Eklutna. Stephan has four children and one grandson: sons Guy, 25, and Jacob, 20; daughters Amanda, 21, and Leanna, 15; and grandson Jordon Wilde-Stephan.

Stephan enjoys spending time outdoors. She grew up living a subsistence lifestyle. Stephan and her family still spend much of the year hunting, fishing, and berry picking, especially on the Kenai Peninsula. "We live with the season," said Stephan.