Alaska Literacy Program Appoints Pickett Executive Director

The Alaska Literacy Program is pleased to announce that Lori Pickett will assume leadership from Polly Smith, who is retiring after 40 years of service to ALP. “It is with unreserved pleasure that I welcome Lori Pickett, my longtime friend and coworker, as ALP’s new executive director,” Smith said. “Lori’s passion for the mission and people along with her deep knowledge and her wide range of skills will ensure her leadership will succeed and ALP will thrive.”

“As executive director, I extend my warmest thanks to partners and friends who have helped me grow in my leadership role. As a trainer, I thank the hundreds of volunteers whose contributions make ALP a community of learning in a safe and welcoming environment. As a teacher, I thank the thousands of students from across the globe who taught me how to embrace differences and celebrate life together with kindness.”

In 1980, Smith taught English and trained new teachers as a volunteer and by 1999 became Executive Director. Under her leadership, ALP grew by adding programming, increasing classes and became financially stable. Recently, Smith co-founded the Anchorage Health Literacy Collaborative, and partnered with providers to create the nationally recognized Peer Learning Navigator Program. Pickett will be leading ALP at a time when, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization is financially sound and has continued to provide services through on-line classes and constant connection with volunteers and staff to maintain program services and morale.