Rosita Worl, Juneau, AK (Board Vice Chair)

"Sealaska stands solidly on the foundation our board members and shareholders have built since 1972. The wisdom of our Elders will guide us as we continue on our successful journey toward the vision of new generations. Our Elders have much to offer, and their knowledge and wisdom is as relevant today as it was a thousand years ago."

Rosita joined the Sealaska Board as an independent candidate in 1987. She is the current vice chair of the Board as well as chair of the Shareholder Relations Committee. She also serves on the Nominations Committee and is a director for Kánaak Corporation, Nypro Kánaak Alabama, Nypro Kánaak Guadalajara, and Nypro Kánaak Iowa.

Dr. Rosita Worl is the president of the Sealaska Heritage Institute, a member of the Alaska Federation of Natives board, and teaches at the University of Alaska-Southeast. 

Rosita attributes the survival and strength of Southeast Alaska Natives to the resolute claim of ownership of their homeland and maintenance of their traditional culture coupled with their ability to adapt to socio-cultural change. She maintains that the key to vitality as Native people is "ensuring that the knowledge of our ancestors is transferred to future generations as well as incorporating new knowledge and science into our world."  

She stakes her claim to a unique place between the past and the future. That position draws on the wisdom of the Elders and the new voices of the younger generation. As an adult, Rosita learned to listen to the younger generation, especially her daughter. "The young have wonderful vitality and ask questions of the status quo. Whereas adults understand why things are the way they are and tend to become complacent," she says.

Besides profits and shareholder dividends, Rosita has four goals at Sealaska: To formulate and advance a measure that Sealaska shareholders will support to formally bring the shareholder descendants into the Sealaska family; to promote sustainable development for the long-term viability of Sealaska and the protection of our land and resources; to assess and pursue measures that promote community development in Southeast communities and to develop Sealaska Corporation as a corporate model that efficiently addresses both the economic and social welfare of our shareholders and their descendants as mandated by Congress in the ANCSA settlement and by our shareholders.

Rosita, whose Tlingít names are Yeidiklats'akw and Kaa haní, is an Eagle of the Shungukeidí (Thunderbird) Clan from the Kaawdliyaayi Hit (House Lowered from the Sun) of Klukwan and a Lukaax.ádi yadi (Child of the Sockeye Clan).