Just as important as the participation of the owners in the day-to-day operation of the business, is the tremendous effort of 42 summertime staff and four year-round staff that the lodges require for their smooth functioning.  Our seasonal staff comes from throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawai'i, and abroad.  In the off-season, they may be found on the local pond hockey rink, at the South Pole, and anywhere in between in the pursuit of travel, education, work and fun. Working at Camp Denali and North Face Lodge is not for the faint of heart; it requires a commitment to work hard and be a participatory member of a small, close-knit, self-sufficient community. We find ourselves grateful year after year to work alongside of such a diverse, interesting, and dedicated group of individuals.

Featured Staff Profile: Sara Molinaro, Executive Chef

Originally from Chicago, Sara has lived in Wisconsin, New York, California, Georgia, and England, as well as a summer spent carving meat in Yellowstone National Park. Her first cooking memory was of sneaking into the spice cupboard to try vanilla extract and getting caught by her mother. Oops! This was just the beginning of her cooking career.  Ever since reading Jon Krakauer's 'Into the Wild' at age 15, she dreamt of finding her own wild side in Alaska. She considers herself lucky to have been given that opportunity in 2006 when she began the first of two consecutive summers working at Camp Denali and North Face Lodge.  “I am very excited to be coming back in 2011 as the Executive Chef. I hope to bring my obsessive love and enthusiasm for local produce and delicious cuisine to the guests this summer, and in the years to come.”  We are thrilled to welcome her back as the head of our two kitchens!

We are fortunate to work with a hardy few who have committed to brave the cold, dark days and nights of winter to work with us year-round.  These four are essential to our business, and the people whom you will most likely speak with when calling our office.  On any given winter morning, you would see them out at -20F, bundled beyond recognition, as they bike, ski or walk their way to our winter office in the protracted darkness.  As business owners, we feel extremely fortunate to be able to attract a few good people to work with us year-round who, like we do, feel privileged to live and work in the heart of the Alaska Range, on the edge of this magnificent wilderness park.

Anne Beaulaurier, Program Coordinator

Anne Beaulaurier began working in Denali in 2002, and moved permanently to the area the following year. Originally from Seattle, where she felt cheated out of the romantic snowy winters of books and movies, she enjoys the long cold season in Denali as much as the vibrant summer days.  In the wintertime, her favorite mode of transportation is skiing, whether for commuting to work, being pulled around on the local trails by her retired sled dog, Keno, or crossing the Alaska Range on multi-day trips.  As Program Coordinator, she is likely to be found lining up guest speakers, arranging the daily hike plans, guiding a hike, driving one of the buses, washing dishes in the kitchen, picking gallons of blueberries or baking bread for her fellow office-mates.

Jan Tomsen, Office Coordinator

Jan joined the year round staff in 2009, after six summers of working a variety of roles at Camp Denali and North Face Lodge. She might be the friendly voice who greets you on the phone, replies to emails, or, while working as a naturalist in the summers, volleys a wide range of questions about her favorite subject, waterfowl. Jan grew up in Alaska, and studied wildlife biology as well as teaching at the University of Alaska. She has also studied and skied around Svalbard, but prefers the wilderness of her backyard in Denali, with rugged peaks, peaceful valleys, chickadees, and spruce trees.

Sarah Bierschwale, Reservations Coordinator

Sarah is our newest year-round staff member. She worked at Camp Denali this past summer, where she developed an appreciation for all things big and small in Denali. After graduating college with a Business Degree in 2007, she set out to experience the world outside of a cubicle. Since then she has lived and worked in beautiful places like Yellowstone, the North Cascades, Lake Tahoe, and the Sonoran Desert. When life is slow (or it is cold), you will find her taking pictures, painting, knitting, reading, or enjoying a fine cup of tea.

Martha McPheeters, Personnel Coordinator

Martha McPheeters arrived in Alaska for the first time in February 2006 for an interview, and returned shortly thereafter to fulfill the Personnel Coordinator position. Her various experiences in academia, instructing for adventure challenge organizations, and administration of outdoor programs come in handy as she pieces together the staffing and scheduling puzzle for the lodges. In the summers, she guides guests on day hikes in addition to filling the Personnel Coordinator job responsibilities.  Paddling canoes and kayaks on any available water continues to improve her enjoyment of the ice-free season in Alaska.  During the long, cold, dark winters, Martha thoroughly enjoys the introspective time provided as well as getting outdoors regularly for cross country skiing, ice-skating, and skijoring. Her favorite skijor dog is Anne’s beloved wonder dog, Keno.

Each May when we swing into high gear, one of the great joys is always the opportunity to welcome back returning seasonal staff, as well as the chance to meet the newcomers in person, and introduce them to this park that we all call home for part or all of the year.