My name is Cheryl Mulcahey (Inupiaq), and I am pleased to serve my fellow Shareholders and Descendants on the CIRI Board of Directors. I was elected to the Board in June 2023. My first term has been busy, educational, exciting, insightful and an overall rewarding experience—I can’t wait to continue my Board service in 2024 and beyond!
I was born in Bremerton, Wash., and grew up in the Anchorage area. I became a CIRI Shareholder at age 14 when I inherited shares from my grandmother, original enrollee Mabel Larsen. I later inherited shares from my mother, Kathy Larsen. I am an advocate of gifting shares to the next generation of CIRI Shareholders—I gifted shares to my younger brother when I was 18, and I will be gifting shares to my two children as well. Gifting shares is a way to preserve and perpetuate our Alaska Native heritage and give our loved ones a stake in the future of our corporation.
Even as a teenager, I took my responsibility as a Shareholder seriously. I read the Annual Report and Voter’s Guide and Proxy Statement each year and always submitted my ballot. A few years ago, I attended the Annual Meeting and asked questions of the Directors about some of CIRI’s financial statements. One of the Directors suggested I consider applying to the Board, and once my work and family commitments allowed me to serve, I began researching the opportunity and decided to apply.
Professionally, I work as senior director of internal audit and SOX for Porch Group, a U.S.- based company that provides software and services to home-service industries. I bring to the CIRI Board extensive knowledge of technology, financial reporting, compliance and controls, and risk management, which will help position our company for continued and sustained growth. I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting and information science from Cabrini University in Philadelphia.
I am the proud mother of two children, Maddie and Ryan. Maddie served as a youth representative on the CIRI Shareholder Participation Committees (now CIRI Participation Committee) when she was still in high school and was a 2023 CIRI summer intern. As a third-generation CIRI Shareholder myself, I’m grateful for the opportunities CIRI provides our young Shareholders and Descendants to get involved with their corporation.
My hobbies include reading most anything— historical fiction, science fiction, biographies— cooking and baking, and watching sports. Organizations that support individuals experiencing housing and food insecurity are closest to my heart.
The key to CIRI’s success lies in developing young Shareholders and Descendants into leaders in their communities, in Alaska and beyond. CIRI has a unique responsibility to both its current and future Shareholders. I am excited to work with my fellow Board members toward fulfilling and furthering that mission.
