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Throughout her career, Brandy Dixon (Iñupiaq) has been guided by the values of hard work, perseverance and service to others. Raised in Anchorage by her maternal grandparents, she built a career in communications and leadership while staying connected to the lessons they instilled.
A former member of the CIRI Participation Committee (CPC), where she served from 2024-2026, she is part of the inaugural Nułyah Program cohort. The Raven’s Circle sat down with Brandy to discuss family, identity, community and the experiences that have shaped her journey as a CIRI Shareholder.
WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY HERITAGE? WHERE DID YOU GROW UP, AND WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION TO CIRI?
My Indigenous ancestors are from Golovin [an Iñupiaq village located approximately 65 miles east of Nome]. My paternal grandmother was from there, and I was born and raised in Anchorage. My father, original enrollee Robert Hand, gifted me five CIRI shares when I was a teenager, and I inherited his remaining shares when he passed away in 2025. I am also an enrolled member of the Chinik Eskimo Community.
I was raised by my maternal grandparents because my mother passed away shortly before my first birthday after being diagnosed with lupus. My grandparents shaped who I am today; they valued hard work, personal responsibility and perseverance. My grandfather was a retired U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was strict, and we sometimes butted heads, but those experiences helped shape my resilience.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPED YOU AS A YOUNG PERSON?
When I was 18 and preparing for college, my grandmother passed away unexpectedly. She was only 59. It was like losing a mother; I called my grandparents Mom and Dad.
Less than two years later, almost to the day of my grandmother’s passing, my grandfather passed away, too. He was only 70, and honestly, I think he died of a broken heart. At not quite 20 years old, I suddenly found myself navigating adulthood without the two people who had raised me.
One of the things that stayed with me was how much my grandmother valued education. She had been an English teacher and later worked as an education counselor for the military. My grandmother’s marching orders were clear: finish your education. Being able to remain in the home I grew up in helped me do exactly that.
WHAT WAS YOUR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY LIKE?
I graduated from high school in 1994 and pursued an art degree with an emphasis in graphic design at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I didn’t discover public relations (PR) as a career until I joined the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) in 2004. I started in the education department, supporting the scholarship program and administrative services. I came across the PR department and thought, “I could do that, that sounds like a lot of fun!” I made it a goal to join the team, and within a few years I was hired as the department’s administrative assistant.
Eventually, I moved into PR and communications leadership roles with ANTHC and Southcentral Foundation. Along the way, I was fortunate to learn from several mentors, including Vivian Echavarria (Athabascan) and CIRI Shareholder Kristin Helvey (Yup’ik), who entrusted me with opportunities that helped me grow as a leader.
Today, I serve as chief communications officer for the Alaska Energy Authority, the state’s energy office. I enjoy using communications to bring clarity to complex issues, build understanding and highlight work that benefits communities across Alaska.
YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT STRUGGLING WITH YOUR SENSE OF IDENTITY GROWING UP. WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE?
My dad was in and out of my life. He was a U. S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam and carried experiences from his service that affected him long after he came home. Because I was raised by my mom’s parents, I didn’t grow up with a strong connection to my Alaska Native heritage.
I also don’t visibly appear Alaska Native, so people are often surprised when they learn that I am. It’s something I’ve wrestled with over the years: Am I allowed to say I’m part of this culture? Do I belong here?
Many of the values my grandparents taught me align closely with traditional Alaska Native values—sharing, teaching what you know, leaving things better than you found them. I’ve reconnected with some of my dad’s family over the years. I hope to strengthen those relationships and connect with more of my extended family, which is part of why I moved out to the [Matanuska-Susitna] Valley, where several family members live.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FATHER?
It’s complicated. My dad wasn’t consistently present in my life growing up. I remember standing at the window as a little girl waiting for him to pick me up for ice cream, and he never came. It’s a small memory, but it stayed with me.
When my grandmother passed away, my dad saw her obituary in the newspaper and reached out to me. Over the next few decades, we stayed in touch off and on, going to lunch and spending time together. He was more of a friend than a dad, but it was cool. Despite not being raised by him, we were a lot alike. [laughs]
My dad’s passing in 2025 became a catalyst for deeper involvement with CIRI. I had already applied to the CPC, and it felt like another opportunity to strengthen my connection as a Shareholder.
HOW HAS YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH CIRI EVOLVED IN RECENT YEARS?
The CPC was transformative for me. I applied on a whim, but what I gained over those two years went far beyond the program’s goals. I formed relationships with fellow Shareholders and Descendants that have enriched my life. I actually hired one fellow CPC member, who works with me today, and she has become a colleague and a friend.
YOU WERE ALSO SELECTED FOR THE INAUGURAL NUŁYAH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. WHAT HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE?
When I was considering applying, I thought, why not? After benefiting from The CIRI Foundation scholarship program, it felt like another opportunity to reconnect and learn.
What I’ve appreciated most is the chance to learn directly from CIRI leadership and gain a better understanding of how the corporation operates—the decision-making processes, different leadership styles and responsibilities behind the scenes.
I hope to gain greater confidence as a leader. Throughout my career, I’ve questioned whether I belong in certain spaces because of my background. Being selected for the inaugural program helped affirm that I do belong and encouraged me to keep stepping forward, even when it’s uncomfortable.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS?
I believe in leaving things better than you found them. Growth doesn’t require having your future mapped out; sometimes it’s enough to be willing to learn, participate and take the next step.
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU OUTSIDE OF YOUR CAREER?
My family. My husband, Juston, has been by my side through life’s ups and downs, and his support has meant more to me than I can put into words. We’ve built a life together that I’m incredibly grateful for. Our family includes our two Rottweilers, Nala and Odin, who are a huge part of our lives. They keep us laughing, keep us busy and make our home feel complete.
