The Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, The Alaska Mental Health Board and the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council have selected Alison Kulas as their new executive director, effective Jan. 9. The boards advise the governor, Legislature and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority on behavioral health policy and programs that promote overall wellness for Alaskans, as per federal and/or state statutes.
Kulas replaces Kate Burkhart, who left the position to become the state’s ombudsman.
Kulas has more than 10 years’ experience in health education, prevention and treatment fields. Most recently she was a fellow in Washington, D.C. with the National Academy of Medicine, at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Kulas holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Michigan State University.
“I’m happy to be returning to Alaska and I’m excited about the opportunity to work for all Alaskans because the issues of mental health, substance misuse, and suicide touch all of us,” Kulas said in a prepared statement. “I will be reaching out in the next few months to connect and reconnect with those people doing the important work related to the boards and council.”
