Having drive describes how CIRI shareholder Diane Tigges completed her Master of Business Administration degree in 21 months. Tigges currently works as operations system administrator for Southcentral Foundation's Executive and Tribal Services division. Her job requires serving on committees that review policy and procedures, working with the finance committee, improving customer service and carrying out human resource functions.

"I always have known that I was different in terms of my own personal goals and values," says Tigges. "I liked being the leader and was very comfortable in that position." She worked for former Battalion Chief John Fullenwider through an Alaska Native internship. "John taught me a strong work ethic, being on time, being accountable for my actions, and that family is very important. The internship showed me that there was the possibility of a professional path."

Later Tigges married and started a family, moved with the military to Texas and Hawaii, and attended college off and on for 23 years. The Air Force finally brought her family back to Alaska four years ago and Tigges began working for Southcentral Foundation.

"I worked for Evelyne Tunley-Daymude, PhD., program manager for the Employee Development Center. Once she found out I only had one year left to finish my degree, wow, she pushed."

Before Tigges graduated with her bachelor's degree, Tunley-Daymude asked her if she had ever thought about going to graduate school.

"To be honest, I didn't actually know what a master's degree was," Tigges said. "Once I bit the carrot, it was Yee haw, here I go."

Tigges says she was fortunate to have co-workers Ileen Sylvester and Lori Flaitz in her classes at Alaska Pacific University pushing each other to finish.

"All the while, Evelyne was standing behind me; it is her diligence and encouragement that helped me through these 21 months."

Now that Tigges has more free time, she may teach more aerobics classes at The Alaska Club and Hotel Captain Cook gym. More than anything, she looks forward to spending time with her husband and three kids. Megan, age 14, taught her mom how to make Alutiiq headdresses. Now they sit and talk about friends, tennis, and what kind of education it will take for Megan to become a veterinarian.