ACLU of Alaska Executive Director Mara Kimmel Announces Retirement

After a varied and distinguished career as an advocate, attorney, educator, and public servant, Mara Kimmel, Executive Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska, has announced her upcoming retirement. She will serve as executive director while the organization’s board of directors conduct a nationwide search for a new leader. Kimmel has been the executive director since May 9, 2022.

“I am grateful to the ACLU of Alaska, our team, and the people of my state for rising to meet the civil rights challenges of our time,” said Kimmel. “The opportunity to lead this organization has been a great honor. Together, we have made meaningful progress in advancing and protecting the rights of all Alaskans. The promise of our state lies in the opportunity and responsibility each of us has to ensure justice for all, and the ACLU of Alaska is committed to making a positive difference for the future of Alaska.”

Like many Alaskans, Kimmel came to Alaska for a summer and never left. She was welcomed by the Chugachmuit people of southcentral Alaska during the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and has since worked all over the state -- with tribes on subsistence and sovereignty rights, as an immigration lawyer, political science professor, governmental and campaign strategist, consultant, non-profit founder, and community organizer. The throughline is a belief and dedication to the principles and people that give Alaska its potential.

Kimmel has received many recognitions marking her contributions to Alaska, including induction into the ATHENA Society, acknowledgment as a YWCA Woman of Achievement, and the Alaska Bar Association’s Distinguished Service award.

“Mara was the right leader at the right time with the right vision and the right values. Her service as executive director has strengthened our organization and advanced the rights and liberties of Alaskans during a time of extraordinary stress” said Rich Curtner, board president for the ACLU of Alaska. “Mara's leadership over the last four years positioned the ACLU as a strong partner in Alaska’s justice ecosystem. With Mara at the helm, the organization demonstrated capability and credibility with policymakers, fellow non-profit leaders, and Alaska's legal community.”

During Kimmel’s tenure, the affiliate achieved landmark victories and growth, including:

• Bringing landmark litigation to protect election integrity, ensure quality medical care for people in DOC custody, secure fair treatment of unhoused Alaskans, fight for the rights of queer and trans youth, fighting censorship in our schools, and more.
• Launching the ACLU of Alaska’s immigrant rights program, and the development of an immigrants’ rights coalition and immigrant legal corps .
• Expanding access to justice for Alaskans through growing strong community partnerships and offering regular high quality legal clinics to educate Alaskans about our legal rights and responsibilities.
• Building the capacity of the ACLU of Alaska to address critical civil rights needs by adding staff through the Alaska Fellows Program and the Skadden Legal Fellowship.

“We will greatly miss Mara’s vision and leadership, but her impact will endure as we expand from the strong foundation that she built,” added Curtner.

The ACLU of Alaska Board of Directors will work with Nokomis Strategies, an Alaska-based search firm, to select a new executive director, a process that is expected to begin in early summer. Kimmel will stay in her role until the new executive director is in place.