JAMM Board Members
Catherine Wilkins- President has been active in the Juneau musical community for many years. A cellist, she has played with the Juneau Symphony, the Bach Society, Juneau Lyric Opera, the Amalga Chamber Orchestra, and other groups. In addition, founded the Juneau Cello Choir. She served on the Juneau Symphony Board of Directors and has been on the JAMM Board since 2019. Catherine was raised in a musical family, with both parents professional musicians. She played the piano and sang in church choir from a young age, switching to the cello when she was 8 years old. She also had early exposure to management of non-profit organizations, as her father was the founder and musical director of the Pittsburgh Oratorio Society. Catherine is a firm believer in the value of a musical education and the importance of music in enriching the human experience.
Catherine recently retired from her position as a construction project manager and architect, having worked for the city, state, and federal governments over the course of her career.
Stephanie Hoag- Vice President has been a member of the JAMM board since 2020 and is currently serving as Vice President. She is a former Juneau School District administrator and has continued to serve the district as a contractor doing grant writing, grant evaluation, curriculum development and other projects until her recent retirement. She worked as an evaluator for afterschool programs for eight years and has watched JAMM grow since it’s beginning. As a former teacher in indigenous villages in Alaska, Stephanie fully understands and believes in the importance of language revitalization, and as a former district test coordinator she has examined data that proves the need to create equity and school success for the young students that are served by the JAMM program Her experience with school district systems is helpful in furthering JAMM’s partnership with the district, and her experience in grant writing, administration, and evaluation contributes to the work of the board’s Grants committee.
Jacque Tagaban-Secretary began serving on the JAMM board in January 2023. She currently is serving as the Chair of the Community Outreach committee. Ms. Tagaban has been a supporter of Juneau music and performing arts for over 25 years having raised two children learning the violin and piano and participating in theatre camps. She has served on the Indian Studies Board, the National Association of Young Children - SE Chapter, the Academic Council of the Juneau Community Charter School, the Perseverance Theatre board and currently serves on the Theatre Alaska board. Jacqueline is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and continues to support the arts in Juneau with a specific commitment to how they nurture and honor her own Tlingit people in the homelands of the Auk and Taku Kwaans.
Mikayla Bales- Treasurer
Andrea Hilbert is an Emergency Management Specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District, where she leads contingency planning efforts and manages the District’s exercise program. She previously served as the Alaska Regional Coordinator for Adventure Mamas, a nationwide nonprofit, organizing events, building community, and coordinating training opportunities for women at all stages of motherhood. Andrea’s daughter is a JAMM graduate who will continue playing violin in middle school orchestra and Prelude Orchestra, while her son is a current JAMM cellist. Seeing firsthand the confidence, friendships, and sense of accomplishment her children have gained through JAMM has inspired her passion for music education and her commitment to ensuring that future generations of Juneau students have the same opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through music.
Devon Stickler was one of the very first Morning Musicians participants, a program now known as JAMM. Having experienced firsthand the impact music education can have on young people, she is passionate about helping the program continue to grow and thrive for future generations. Today, Devon is a Sales Executive with Alaska First Media and KINY, where she works with businesses and organizations throughout Southeast Alaska to help them connect with their communities. Before transitioning into marketing and media, Devon spent her career in healthcare, working at both ends of the life spectrum from Labor and Delivery to Dementia and Alzheimer's care. Those experiences strengthened her passion for serving others and building meaningful connections.
Her move into marketing has allowed her to continue making an impact in her community while also giving her the flexibility to keep her daughter by her side. Devon is proud to support programs like JAMM that help inspire, encourage, and create opportunities for young people.
Haifa Foroughi
Kevin Ritchie is a former Juneau City/Borough Manager and has worked with municipal governments across Alaska as a former executive director of the Alaska Municipal League/Alaska Conference of Mayors. Kevin has always been active in youth programs including helping start Big Brother/Big Sisters in Juneau, helping initiate the BAM (Body and Mind) middle school afterschool program, grant writing and construction volunteer for the Twin Lakes Project Playground, helping initiate the City and Borough of Juneau’s child care provider subsidy program, and serving on the initial board of the Alaska Afterschool Network. He has seen the benefits of the JAMM program on his two grandchildren and attended a number of family concerts.
Paulette Wilson volunteered many years on Kaxdigoowu Héen PTO as member, president and Site Council chair before joining the JAMM board in 2021. She also currently serves as a board member of Juneau String Ensembles. She is currently working in the Finance Department for the Juneau School District. She has 2 kids and both have participated in the JAMM program. Her oldest child was a member of Juneau String Ensembles’ Aurora Strings. Her youngest is taking orchestra class in high school. Music is a huge part of Paulette’s childhood and family traditions. She believes in the importance of music in education and its impact on the community.
Soha Arzagon
