Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Alison Kear
Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell
This week’s Women Who Inspire Wednesday features Alison Kear, CEO of Covenant House Alaska and 2015 recipient of YWCA Alaska’s Women of Achievement award. Like all the remarkable women who have received this honor, Alison was recognized for her extraordinary contributions to the Anchorage community.
Under her leadership, Covenant House Alaska successfully completed a $25 million capital campaign to build the Youth Engagement Center, which opened its doors in 2013. This transformative project not only expanded the number of available beds for youth experiencing homelessness but also created a holistic environment offering healthcare, counseling, education, and job training.
Alison exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate and effective leader. Whether she’s sitting down with a young person seeking stability, a policymaker shaping social change, or a member of her dedicated staff, she leads with empathy, humility, and unwavering purpose.
We sat down with Alison to reflect on her journey, her leadership, and what continues to inspire her.
Q: Do you remember when you first found out that you’d been named a YWCA Woman of Achievement?
A: I do. At the time, I’d already been working in this field for about 15 years and had nominated other women for the same honor. So when I got the call, my first thought was, “Oh my gosh, there are so many women more deserving than me.” It took me a while to realize that the award wasn’t about being perfect or having everything in order, it was about recognizing impact. My fingerprints were all over the Youth Engagement Center project, and though it was one of the most challenging seasons of my career, it was also one of the most meaningful. I had to learn to own that moment and see it as an acknowledgment of the hard work that went into making something lasting for our community.
Q: What advice would you give to this year’s honorees or future Women of Achievement?
A: Own your influence. If someone saw enough in you to nominate you, it means you’ve impacted lives. Take that seriously, and wear it proudly, not as a trophy, but as armor. Then get back out there and do good with it. The award isn’t the pinnacle of your journey, it’s just one stop along the way. Keep going, keep leading, and keep lifting others as you climb.
Q: In your view, what is one of the most pressing challenges facing women in Alaska today?
A: I think one of our biggest challenges is ensuring that we don’t move backward when it comes to equality and inclusion. It’s unsettling to see rights we once thought were secure being questioned again, whether it’s the right to love who we love, or the right to live freely as ourselves. We have to stay on the right side of history. That means listening more, blaming less, and creating spaces where people feel valued and heard. Women are often bridge-builders by nature, and that ability to bring people together is something the world desperately needs right now.
Q: You’ve spent years leading organizations and mentoring others. What keeps you inspired in that work?
A: Honestly, it’s the people. Whether it’s a young person achieving their first milestone, or a colleague pushing through something difficult, that human connection keeps me grounded. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about staying accessible. When people feel safe coming to you, even with disagreement or disappointment, that’s when real progress happens.
Q: Outside of your professional life, what brings you joy and balance?
A: Lately, joy looks a lot like being intentional about the people I spend time with. I’m prioritizing those I love most and making sure they know it, not just through words, but through my choices. That hasn’t always been easy for me. For years, I was so focused on work that I didn’t make space for connection. Now I’m catching up, walking on the beach with my childhood best friend, visiting family, and saying yes to moments that fill my cup.
And of course, there’s my dog, Charlie, a hilarious, high-maintenance golden doodle who keeps me laughing (and humble). She’s taught me patience, perspective, and the importance of laughter when things don’t go as planned.
One of the biggest lessons I took from my sabbatical was learning to “put my own oxygen mask on first.” I’d spent years thinking growth came from new destinations, but it really came from those quiet moments on the plane, realizing that if I don’t take care of myself, I can’t model balance or give to others in a sustainable way. That awareness has changed how I show up in every part of my life.