Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation is pleased to announce that Mariah Sakeagak-Utuga has accepted the position of Vice President of Shareholder Services and as the UIC Foundation Executive Director. Joining the UIC family of companies with years of experience in Alaska Native Corporation management and philanthropy, Utuga will be working from the UIC Headquarters in Utqiaġvik, Alaska.
Enhancing the lives of our shareholders is the highest-level priority for UIC. President/CEO, Dr. Pearl K. Brower recognizes this change as a direct result of the company’s desire to expand and refocus its investment in its shareholders. The refocused position will allow for an additional and more intentional connection with shareholders and support services while also providing the current Vice President of Lands, Thomas Leavitt, more time to concentrate on lands issues around the North Slope.
The synergy between Shareholder Services and the UIC Foundation will provide an opportunity for Vice President/Executive Director Utuga to grow the Foundation and look for additional ways the Foundation can enhance the lives of our shareholders while continuing to offer scholarship support to students.
President/CEO Brower says, “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Mariah to the UIC team as our new VP of Shareholder Services and UIC Foundation Executive Director. She is a homegrown, UIC Shareholder who is passionate about our community and our shareholders. Having both Tom Leavitt and Mariah in the Barrow Office to focus on two of our highest priority areas will be beneficial to all shareholders. I see our ability to connect with our shareholders and grow programs that enhance their lives and our community flourish under Mariah’s leadership.”
Mariah Utuga was raised in Utqiaġvik, a graduate of Barrow High School, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Rural Development with a concentration on community research and Indigenous knowledge from UAF (University of Alaska Fairbanks). Utuga’s most recent work history includes Cook Inlet Tribal Council and the North Slope Borough Health Department. Additionally, she served as Program Manager for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Community Economic Development Program from 2012 – 2020 and Administrative Corporate Secretary from 2009 – 2012 working directly with the shareholder base of the Arctic Slope region.