UIC Announces New President & CEO, Dr. Pearl K. Brower

UIC President Dr. Pearl BrowerThe Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (“UIC”) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Pearl K. Brower has been appointed President and CEO of UIC, effective April 25, 2022. She will transition into the position over the next couple of weeks.

Dr. Brower has served on the UIC Board of Directors since June 2021. Her recent business and employment experience include serving the past year as the Senior Advisor to the University of Alaska focusing on Alaska Native Success, Institutional Diversity, and Student Engagement. Prior to this work, she ran her own consulting business focused on strategic planning and leadership development, and worked for Iļisaġvik College, Alaska’s only tribal college, from 2007 to 2020, eight of those years serving as President.

President Brower received her Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies with an emphasis in Indigenous Leadership from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) (2016); has a Master’s degree in Alaska Native and Rural Development, UAF (2010); and also obtained a double Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Alaska Native Studies, UAF (2004). In 2018 Brower received her Associate of Arts Degree in Iñupiaq Studies from Iļisaġvik College.

Dr. Brower has served on many boards and commissions throughout Alaska, and the nation including the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Storyknife Writer’s Retreat, The Foraker Group Operations, and Governance Boards; Alaska Airlines Community Advisory Board, and the AlaskaCAN! Network Board of Directors. Brower was an Alaska Top 40 Under 40 Recipient, awarded the First Alaskans Institute Young Native Leader Award, and was recognized by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement.

Brower is the daughter of Price E. Brower, and Lillian and Bruce Arnold. She is married to Jesse Darling, and they have two daughters.

In accepting the position, President Brower said: “I am incredibly honored and privileged to have been appointed to serve as UIC’s President and CEO. After serving as a member of the Board of Directors this last year, I know we have an amazing team across our entire company, and I look forward to building on the foundation our Board and outgoing President Delbert Rexford has laid for us. A bright future for our families, and our corporation, are important to me as we envision a healthy, strong community for generations to come. I look forward to serving our shareholders and company. Quyanaqpak for your support!”