AKEW Introduction / Kickoff Statewide – online
Alaska Entrepreneurship Week (AKEW) designed by and for Alaska’s entrepreneurs, the week brings together founders, students, investors, and support organizations to share knowledge, build connections, and spark new opportunities. From workshops and panels to networking mixers and pitch competitions, AKEW highlights the energy of Alaska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the vital role it plays in shaping the state’s economic future.
The statewide Kickoff Event marks the official launch of the week, setting the tone for days of collaboration and inspiration. This presentation brings together leaders, partners, and community members from across Alaska to unveil the vision for AKEW, spotlight featured events, and recognize the people driving entrepreneurial growth across the state. Attending the kickoff ensures you’re at the center of the conversation and connected to the many opportunities unfolding throughout the week.
FOR IN PERSON, register –> here
The URL for virtual attendance will be posted in this page soon.
Pascual J. Reig
Business Advisor, SBDC
Strategy & Operations Analyst, REFocus
With a professional background that spans engineering, real estate, construction, and consulting, Pascual brings a cross-sector, systems-thinking approach to every project, and he did the same upon arrival in Alaska over a decade ago: he has played a key role in several high-impact initiatives, including the revitalization of Alaska Entrepreneurship Week (AKEW) and the founding of Launch:Alaska, where he served on the inaugural Board of Directors.
Bilingual and globally minded, Pascual combines U.S. and European experience, drawing on insights from technical industries, customer service, and his close connections to medical professionals in Spain. Whether building innovation programs, designing AI-assisted business roadmaps, or advising rural entrepreneurs, Pascual approaches each challenge with creativity, pragmatism, and a commitment to meaningful impact.
Norma M. Lucero
Deputy Director, AGC Alaska
Norma M. Lucero serves as the Deputy Director of The Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Norma joined AGC AK from the Small Business Administration, where she served as the Economic Development Specialist / Public Information Officer, leading the SBA in its mission to empower individuals to start, grow, expand, and recover their business.
Prior to that, Norma played an instrumental role as the Statewide DBE and OJT Program Manager at the State of Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office in revamping and transforming business and workforce development initiatives into programs of excellence and and program templates for best practices at the national level.
Norma enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her family, traveling and mentoring youth.
Ricky Tejapaibul
Managing Partner and CEO
Ricky has been active in Alaska’s startup ecosystem for the past 4 years and now leads Tech Wildcatters’s expansion into Alaska. He has been on the planning committee for Alaska Entrepreneurship Week for the past 3 years. Ricky is an active angel investor, entrepreneur, startup mentor, and has worked in various roles including management consulting, investment banking, and corporate finance for companies in the Fortune 500. Ricky earned multiple master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University including an MBA and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Peter Webley
Research Professor, Director (Center ICE), and Associate Director of Research (ACUASI) at University of Alaska Fairbanks
I was the Vice-President of UAF’s first start-up, V-ADAPT, Inc., formed in 2013 and have successfully licensed intellectual property, been awarded small business innovation research projects and a US patent as well as been inducted into the State of Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame 2016 – 2017 class.
My research interests include volcanic ash cloud modeling, use of unmanned aircraft systems for geoscience applications, connecting emergency managers with real-time remote sensing data, developing decision support tools, real-time monitoring of volcanic activity, and remote sensing of volcanic processes. My aim is to provide tools and products for hazard assessment and risk mitigation.
1st Pioneer Awardee from the Arctic Innovation Competition, CBSM, UAF”
Ginny Grabowski
Business Advisor, Anchorage SBDC
Ginny’s background is in the health and wellness sector. With a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion she has expertise in creating and scaling businesses that promote health and wellness. Her strengths are strategic partnership management, client engagement and creating community through workshops, training, and the development of health programs.
Ginny’s ventures have emphasized the importance of a user-centric approach, leveraging technology through website development, social media marketing, and app development to enhance customer experience and engagement.
Ginny arrived in Alaska in 2002 and lost her heart to Alaska while working in the tourist industry in and around Denali National Park. In her downtime you’ll find her running, cycling, skiing, or dancing to live music with her husband all over Southcentral Alaska.
Sandy Hussain
Juneau Center Director
Sandy thrives on helping businesses grow and scale, specializing in digital marketing, e-commerce, startups, business development, fundraising, and entrepreneurship. She holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in International Politics from Bryn Mawr College.
A passionate lifelong traveler and explorer, Sandy has lived in dynamic cities like New York, London, Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Los Angeles before making her home in Juneau, Alaska.
Kelly Ann Cavaretta
Seward Business Advisor, SBDC
Sandy thrives on helping businesses grow and scale, specializing in digital marketing, e-commerce, startups, business development, fundraising, and entrepreneurship. She holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in International Politics from Bryn Mawr College.
A passionate lifelong traveler and explorer, Sandy has lived in dynamic cities like New York, London, Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Los Angeles before making her home in Juneau, Alaska.
PRNsis Bay
Owner Diamond VIP Services
PRNsis Bay, leads a multifaceted career dedicated to entertainment, community engagement, and making a positive impact.
She has been in business since 2016 and over the years has established herself in the community and abroad as an executive media producer, brand ambassador, Red Carpet hostess, TV show personality, and Emcee hosting events.
PRNsis Bay’s public figure brand along with so many multifaceted endeavors and collaborations, offers all of the projects she is a part of the benefit of a comprehensive array of skills including community outreach, entertainment, as well as promotional and marketing experience and services.
