Bryce Sitter joined the American Red Cross in 2006 and currently serves the Alaska Region after previously holding the role of Regional Chief Development Officer for the Idaho, Montana, and East Oregon Region. His Red Cross career spans leadership roles in Training Services and Fundraising. Over the past eight years, Bryce has twice been recognized as a Divisional Fundraiser of the Year.
Prior to his domestic roles, Bryce spent more than a decade in East Africa designing and implementing programs focused on food security, health, and community lending, working in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Kenyan Red Cross, and the Tanzanian Red Cross. He holds a master’s degree in Humanitarian Leadership.
Bryce’s wife, Martine, is from the Netherlands, and together they have two children, ages 12 and 13. Bryce is an active outdoorsman and passionate parent, always involving willing participants in the next adventure.
Taylar joined the American Red Cross of Alaska as the regional director of communications in January of 2021. Taylar’s goal is to share amazing stores within the Red Cross to community’s statewide. Prior to working with the Red Cross, Taylar had a career in journalism working as a reporter and producer at Alaska’s News Source and Black Hills FOX News in Rapid City, South Dakota. Taylar also has a passion for volunteering and has volunteered with several other non-profit organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Boy Scouts of America, and Alaska Dog and Puppy rescue. Taylar has a Bachelor of Science in communications and a minor in Spanish from Black Hills State University. She is originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and lives in Alaska with her husband, son, and three dogs.
Jackie Evans serves as the Regional Director of Business Operations for the American Red Cross of Alaska. She joined the Red Cross team in October 2016. She especially enjoys collaborating with all departments and working together with staff and volunteers to accomplish the vital mission.
Previously she spent nine years as the program Director of a faith-based nonprofit organization. Prior to this she has worked in insurance, medical billing, office management, and owned and operated a small business. Her greatest role has been that of mom to her two (adult) children. Jackie has lived in Anchorage, Alaska for 39 years.
Paton has been a member of the Red Cross of Alaska team for almost 15 years. Paton’s work involves directing and overseeing the work needed in the volunteer cycle for volunteers and staff. He also builds relationships with volunteers, staff, and external partners, and finds this to be the best part of working in Volunteer Services. Along with work, Paton enjoys time at home with his family playing games and watching movies. They are planning trips to explore Alaska. He enjoys spending time on the soccer field as a referee for many leagues and high school.
Melody joined the Red Cross of Alaska team in July 2021 as the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Regional Program Manager. Based out of the Interior office, her focus is to ensure successful program delivery to support Alaska’s military and veteran communities as well as provide services and education that enhance the public’s knowledge of International Humanitarian Law. Prior to joining the Alaska Region Red Cross team, Melody spent the last 10 years working with two other national military and veteran non-profit organizations. She has a B.S. in Healthcare Management from Minnesota School of Business and an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Julie Swisher joined the American Red Cross of Alaska team in 2023 and serves as the Executive Director on the Regional team. She lives in North Pole, just outside of Fairbanks, AK with her partner and her two children. Prior to Red Cross she worked as a multi-media journalist and weather correspondent for KTVF/KXDF in Fairbanks.
Julie started her Red Cross journey in 2021, as a Home Fire and Safety Campaign volunteer, installing smoke alarms and even wrote a story for the Red Cross on her experience during Sound the Alarm event in Nome.
Outside of Red Cross Julie an officer with the Filipino Association of Fairbanks, on the Board of Directors for Forget-Me-Not Animal rescue and is an active member of the Fairbanks Rotary and the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.
In her free time, she enjoys Kayaking, gardening, beekeeping and spending time with her family and friends.
Julia Baines is an experienced emergency management professional who serves as the Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross of Alaska. She is passionate about helping individuals, families, and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Throughout her career, Julia has worked closely with local, state, Tribal, nonprofit, and community partners to strengthen disaster readiness and build resilient communities. She previously served as the Mass Care Coordinator in the State of Alaska Emergency Operations Center and has supported responses ranging from local emergencies and frozen water line incidents to major disasters, including Ex-Typhoon Halong. She also deployed to Florida in support of communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Raised in Alaska's Aleutian Islands, Julia has a deep connection to the state's people and communities. Her connection to Alaska is further strengthened through her husband, who is originally from Metlakatla. Together, they have four children and two very spoiled dogs. Outside of work, Julia enjoys traveling, playing bingo, volunteering in her community, and spending time with her family.
