Stefanie O’Brien

Stefanie O’Brien is a longtime Alaska nonprofit and public-sector leader who cares deeply about children, families, and the people who support them. Based in Anchorage, she currently serves as a Social Services Program Officer with the Alaska Department of Health, where she works alongside partners across the state to support behavioral health and workforce initiatives for children, youth, and families, including the stewardship of large, federally funded grants.

Over the past 2 decades, Stefanie’s work has spanned early care and education, workforce development, philanthropy, and family-serving systems. She has held leadership roles with Cook Inlet Tribal Council, RurAL CAP, the Alaska Community Foundation, and Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington. Across these roles, she is known for her collaborative approach, thoughtful use of resources, and ability to help teams navigate complex systems in ways that stay grounded in community needs—especially in partnership with Alaska Native organizations and Alaska’s communities.

Stefanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Wayland Baptist University, an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (Go Nooks!), and a Master’s Certificate in Parent Coaching from Seattle Pacific University. She also holds a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, an HCI HR Coaching Certification, and has completed Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence.

Stefanie brings a steady, relationship-centered leadership style and a strong belief in connecting early care and learning systems so families feel supported, not overwhelmed. She is honored to serve on the thread Board and to support work that strengthens connections for children, early educators, and communities across Alaska.