Stefanie O’Brien

Stefanie O’Brien is an experienced Alaska nonprofit and public sector leader with a deep commitment to strengthening the wellbeing of children, families, and the professionals who support them. Based in Anchorage, she serves as the Director of Grants & Development at the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center. In this role, she leads the strategy and management of the organization’s full portfolio of grants, cultivates and stewards donor relationships, and partners with community stakeholders to advance accessible, affordable health care for people of all ages.

Over the past two 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.