Board of Directors

ric nelson, president

Ric Nelson is the Outreach and Advocacy Manager with The Arc of Anchorage. He is a graduate of the University of Alaska with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Public Administration. He served many years on the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, State of Alaska’s Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, Statewide Independent Living Council, as well as many other boards. He is continuing to serve on many boards. He was the recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 award in 2015, founder and president of the non-profit Peer Power, and was honored by the National Association of People Supporting Employment First with their National Personal Achievement award in 2016.

Ric experiences Cerebral Palsy and requires full-time assistance to manage his physical needs but is increasingly expanding his advocacy, policy, and education efforts beyond the state of Alaska to support advances in all 50 states.

Laronsia “Ronnie” Reynolds, Vice President

Laronsia “Ronnie” Reynolds is a Florida native, and relocated to Anchorage, AK 1982. Ronnie attended Alaska Pacific University – where received the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Development and Masters in Counseling Psychology. Ronnie’s credentials include being a Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor and Chemical Dependence Certification I. Currently Ronnie is working in group practice providing outpatient therapy and clinical contract work for a mental health/developmental disabilities organization. Ronnie’s past experiences include 30+ years in the non-profit sector performing various roles in direct services and management within community health agencies. Ronnie has extensive experience working with children and adults with varying abilities, diagnosis, and challenging behaviors. This includes working successfully with those experiencing symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, transitions, Dementia, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbances, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Adapting therapeutic treatment strategies and approaches, being open-minded, and flexible has been key in my work.” Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology techniques are the core of Ronnie’s orientation in therapy. “My faith and spirituality are very important and instrumental in allowing me to do the work to help others. I believe there is nothing like doing work you are passionate about…….it makes it enjoyable and more than just a job.”

Seth Whitten, Treasurer

Seth Whitten started working with individuals with disabilities shortly after graduating from the University of Virginia in 2003. After spending 12 years in the non-profit sector, his interest in public policy led him to employment with the Alaska State Legislature. Seth has worked with Centers for Independent Living since 2012, when he first joined the Board of Directors of Valley Associates for Independent Living, a CIL serving the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He lives with Lettie, his Boston Terrier who's been deaf since birth, in North Pole, Alaska.

Art Delaune, Secretary

I am the parent of 5 children, 2 of which have been diagnosed with FASD. I have lived in Fairbanks for 50 years and am currently twice retired; once from Lynden Transport after 25 years of service and also from Access Alaska, where I worked for 10 years. Since I retired, I have volunteered as an advocate working to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and have also been working as an advocate for senior citizens.

My work at Access Alaska began in 2007; first as an Information and Referral Specialist and later as the Independent Living Services Supervisor. At Access Alaska I assisted people with disabilities and seniors to live independently in our community. I also am a certified Medicare counselor and certified Community Work Incentive Counselor.

Some of my current volunteer work is: a member of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, a board member for Access Alaska, a board member for the Fairbanks Senior Center and a board member for Peer Power.

I am a member of WallBusters, a grassroots advocacy group comprised of people with disabilities that advocate for system change in our Fairbanks community. I am most proud of their successful advocacies to removing barriers in transportation, voting, education and access to public facilities like the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds. They were instrumental in Passing HB16 in 2018; a bill that mandated training police officers to better interact with people experiencing hidden disabilities.

Yngvil Vatn Guttu, member

Creator, Producer, Performer, Educator, Mentor

Yngvil came to Alaska 20 years ago after a decade of touring with music and theatre companies in Europe and North America. 

She is the founding CEO of Northern Culture Exchange, an umbrella non profit organization that manages funding and/or operation for half a dozen music events and advocacy programs. Yngvil has put her ideas and drive behind countless art making, organizing and funding projects.

Through her work in the arts and as an online educator and content creator, Yngvil has learned that shared knowledge and experiences bring people together, and that everyone has the right to explore and realize their full potential in this lifetime.

Education

Yngvil has a Master of Music from New York University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Jazz from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London UK, a BA Hons in Theatre Arts from Rose Bruford College, London UK and a Bachelor in Language Arts from University in Bergen, Norway. Yngvil is two times recipient of Rasmuson Individual Artist Award, a Boochever fellow, and a “Jazz Hero” award from the American Jazz Journalist Association.

Current board positions: Access Alaska, Alaska Jazz Workshop, Institute of the North, Northern Culture Exchange.