Dj found a home at VOA Alaska in 2020 after an assortment of life experiences, including retail, remote kitchen work, warehousing, telemarketing, environmental campaigning, and four years of military service. A desire to serve the state he loves doing work he loves led him to pursue a communications career in non-profits. As the Director of Communications and Engagement, Dj uses his creative passion and personal connection to the VOA Alaska mission to tell the story of the agency and connect with our community and policymakers. Having experienced his own life-altering mental health challenges, Dj knows how essential accessible and supportive care is to achieve one’s full potential.

Dj has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and he earned a Professional Digital Marketing Certificate in 2022. He is currently working towards a Leadership and Management Certificate, which is focused on the healthcare and human services field. He continues his passion for supporting Alaska’s youth beyond his position at VOA by volunteering as a Big with Big Brother Big Sisters of Alaska and serving on the Board of Directors of Identity.

Outside of the office, you’ll find Dj singing to the bears in Chugach State Park, taking photos on mountaintops, dodging moose on the Kincaid single-track trails, displaying top-notch avalanche awareness on his cross-country skis, and watching Netflix with his three-legged cat, Byrne.