The President and CEO of Bering Straits Native Corp. Gail Schubert, is out. Dan Graham, executive Vice President, has been named interim CEO.
Bering Straits Native Corporation is an Alaska Native regional corporation serving 17 villages in the Bering Strait region.
Schubert is a big player in Alaska politics and Native business. An Iñupiaq from Unalakleet, she serves on the boards of the Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska Native Justice Center, ANCSA Regional Association, Commonwealth North, the Iditarod Trail Committee, State of Alaska Renewable Energy Fund Advisory Committee, the Native American Contractors Association and the University of Alaska Foundation. She has served on the BSNC Board of Directors since 1992, and was a co-chair of the Bill Walker campaign for governor in 2022.
Schubert, who practiced law in Anchorage and also worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and of two Wall Street law firms, is an ATHENA Society awardee, recipient of the Northwest Indian Bar Association’s Unsung Hero Award, and YWCA Alaska/BP Woman of Achievement Awardee
She graduated from Stanford University, earned a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management with an emphasis in accounting and finance, and was awarded her Juris Doctorate from the Cornell University School of Law.
Graham has served on the senior executive team at BSNC for nearly a decade. He has had more than 24 years in progressive leadership roles for Alaska Native corporations, providing executive oversight and management for a large portfolio of contracts in all 50 states and international programs, according to the BSNC website.
Graham holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Villanova University, is a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Alaska and is a certified Project Management Professional.
No explanation for the change has been announced, but the board sent a letter to shareholders:
“We write to you today to inform you of an important transition in leadership at Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC). The BSNC Board of Directors approved the separation of the President & CEO. Gail R. Schubert, who has been CEO since 2009 and President since 2010, will no longer serve in her current role. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for Gail’s remarkable contributions and dedicated service to BSNC throughout her tenure.
“While Gail has transitioned out of her role as President and CEO, we are pleased to inform you that she will continue to serve as a valuable member of the BSNC Board. Gail’s extensive 31 years of board service, insightful guidance and unwavering commitment to the corporation will continue to benefit our organization and its shareholders.
“During Gail’s tenure, BSNC has achieved tremendous success. Under her leadership and guidance, the corporation’s annual revenue has grown from $14 million in 2003 to $661 million in fiscal year 2023.
“Executive Vice President Dan Graham will serve as Interim President and CEO. Graham’s leadership will assure continuity and will build on the accomplishments that Gail has led over her decades of service to BSNC. Dan has served on the senior executive team at BSNC for 9 years and has worked in leadership roles at Alaska Native corporations for a more than 20 years. He has been an integral part of BSNC’s positive trajectory.
“I cannot say enough about what Gail has accomplished,” said Graham. “In my time in this new role, I will wake up every day thinking how best to serve BSNC shareholders and the region. I do not take the responsibility of this position and the people it serves lightly.”
” We send our sincere thanks to Gail,
“BSNC Board Chair Cindy Towarak Massie and Board of Directors”
