Tlingit-Haida Selects New CFO
Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
A veteran of several Alaska Native organizations is taking charge of money management for the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The tribe’s management and administrative teams and executive council selected Charlene Robertson as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
As CFO, Robertson oversees Tlingit & Haida’s finance personnel, fiscal management, general fund budget, and financial reporting. In addition, she is responsible for reviewing and negotiating the annual indirect cost proposal process, facilitating internal audits, and supervising indirect and internal budgeting and accounting procedures.
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May 2024
“I’m honored to be joining Tlingit & Haida’s executive team and excited to connect with the full Tlingit & Haida team,” Robertson says. “As a tribal citizen, I look forward to contributing to the growth and economic success of our tribe.”
Born in Juneau and raised in Sitka, Robertson is of the Raven moiety, L’uknax.ádi clan, and Daginaa Hít house. Her Tlingit name is Gunaa Shaa. Robertson earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Boise State University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwest Nazarene University.
Robertson most recently served as controller for Bristol Bay Alaska Tourism. Across more than twenty years of accounting and management experience, she has also worked for Sitnasuak Native Corporation, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and UAA.
“We are excited to have Charlene lead our Finance team,” says Tlingit & Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson. “Her experience and background will be instrumental to our growth and development.”
Robertson takes over for Karen Taug, who came out of retirement last summer to fill the CFO position temporarily. Robertson is working out of Tlingit & Haida’s administrative office in Anchorage.
Making History
The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.