Two New Team Members at United Way of Anchorage
Photo Credit: United Way of Anchorage
United Way of Anchorage (UWA) added new members to its team. “These additions to our team are aligned with our values and have demonstrated an enthusiasm and commitment to having a positive impact to our community,” says President and CEO Eric Utraq Billingsley.
Rea Bavilla
Photo Credit: United Way of Anchorage
Rea Bavilla comes aboard as Vice President of Development to oversee fundraising efforts and other programs focused on growing UWA’s impact. Bavilla brings a wealth of experience with more than twenty-three years of management and supervision in both Alaska’s business and nonprofit worlds, including more than ten years as president and CEO of a large Alaska Native education nonprofit. Bavilla holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alaska Pacific University.
Current Issue
September 2026
Alice Hisamoto
Photo Credit: United Way of Anchorage
Alice Hisamoto is UWA’s new Director of Community Impact, focused on facilitating collaboration and innovation between UWA and its community partners. Hisamoto brings extensive leadership experience in education and nonprofits, having built her career on developing cross-sector partnerships, growing community engagement and providing strategic leadership for effective program delivery. Hisamoto holds a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology and a master’s degree in cross-cultural education from UAF, and she is a member of the International Coaching Federation.
What happens when a city with fewer than 300 residents becomes a major freight and tourism hub, despite being accessible only by boat, plane, or a one-lane highway/railroad tunnel managed on a strict schedule?
If you’re in the City of Whittier, you get busy. The city has two separate transportation planning efforts underway, including a safety action plan under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, which focuses on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and emergency responders. The second is Whittier Moves, the city’s transportation master plan, which serves as the long-term roadmap for growth.