Board of Directors

IDA Alaska’s board members volunteer their time and meet quarterly. Meeting details can be found on the Events page (subject to change). We welcome you to contact us if you are interested in attending or learning more about serving on the board.

Becky George
President

Becky George has been a Dyslexia Therapist in the state of Alaska since 2018, relocating from Colorado and her own private practice.. She is the mother of a dyslexic, which was the catalyst lighting her passion to find answers to all her dyslexia questions. She currently holds certifications as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist / Center for Effective Reading Instruction – IDA, Certified Academic Language Therapist with ALTA., Licensed and Certified Speech Language Pathologist Assistant / State of AK / ASHA and Special Education Advocate / William & Mary Law School. She enjoys reading, cooking and visiting her grandchildren.

Kristi Graber
Vice President

Kristi Graber started her teaching career in special education before teaching abroad for eight years. She returned to teach stateside then headed back into the world of applied behavioral analysis in Bermuda. In 2016, her teaching career brought her to Kodiak Island. She will defend her PhD with a research focus in reading fluency and prosody in April 2022 from Northwest Nazarene University and is excited to join the diverse team at State of Alaska, Department of Education & Early Development as the ELA Content Specialist in June 2022.

Ashly Beckes
Secretary

Ashly Beckes has been the Director of Operations for Reading Write Alaska since 2012. She was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education specializing in Social Studies from the University of North Dakota. Ashly is certified at the Master’s level in the Barton Reading and Spelling program, is working toward certification in the Excellence in Writing program, and teaches Math-U-See. She is currently enrolled in the final course needed for IDA certification as a Dyslexia Practitioner. Ashly also teaches SAT prep classes and has a heart for the high school population. Ashly earned the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree and is licensed by the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Division of Business and Professional Licensing.

Chris Cavanaugh, PhD
Treasurer

Chris Cavanaugh, PhD has been a behavioral health provider in Alaska since 2005. He has worked in a variety of settings including: schools, community-based organizations, as well as inpatient and residential psychiatric care. Currently, Dr. Cavanaugh provides pediatric neuropsychological assessment, consultation, and intervention services. He is a fourth-generation Alaskan, growing up in the Matanuska Valley. He enjoys fishing, skiing, and biking with his family and Bernese Mountain Dog, Champ.

Jen Athey
Director

Jen Athey, Fairbanks, AK

Kimberly McCotter
Director

Kimberly McCotter, owner and private reading instructor at Turning Leaf Literacy Center, has been working with individuals of all ages struggling with dyslexia and other learning disabilities for 12 years. She has a passion for education and believes that every person has the ability to overcome his or her academic struggles. She opened Turning Leaf Literacy Center in July 2005. Kimberly has a fantastic husband and two wonderful boys who all play an important role at Turning Leaf. Her hobbies (other than work) include baking, exercise, and spending time with her family.

Anna Neidig
Director

Anna Neidig is a graduate of West Anchorage High School and the University of Puget Sound. She has many years of experience in sales and marketing, as well as working with member-based organizations in various capacities. Anna is a consultant with a passion for supporting organizations focused on literacy, volunteers in the community, and loves skiing, hiking and adventuring with her family.

Lori Pickett
Director

Lori Pickett is a co-founder of IDA-Alaska and a longtime Alaskan with years of experience in advocacy, adult literacy, and volunteer management. Both a dyslexic and parent of a dyslexic, she is passionate about improving reading instruction and the school climate for all children.

Heather Walton
Director

Heather Walton received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Auburn University and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Montevallo in Speech-Language Pathology in 2000.

Heather spent 12 years working in the public school system and gained a passion for language-based learning disabilities. She completed post-graduate studies specifically regarding the diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia. She has earned the award for continuing education (ACE) from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She is trained in all of the Lindamood Bell Programs, Orton-Gillingham through the Mayerson Academy, Spell-Links for Reading and Writing, Lively Letters, and is certified at the Masters Level in The Barton Reading and Spelling Program. Heather also holds the Certificate for Special Education Advocacy from William and Mary Law School.

Hermine Baker
Past Director

Posie Boggs
Past President

Vicki Campbell
Past Director

Meghan Clark
Past Director

Donna Dart
Past Director

Janet Donnelly
Director

Dee Dee Feghali
Past Director

Bonnie Friedman
Past Director

Kristi Fuller
Past Director

Martha Gingras
Past Director

Anita Gomez
Past Director

Jennifer Hall Jones
Past President