Denali Daniels was born, raised, and educated in Alaska. She grew up in a log cabin built by her father on their 17-acre Kasilof homestead. Denali obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

She has over twenty years of experience in public, private, and non-profit sectors beginning as an aide in the Alaska State Legislature, advancing through a series of policy-related positions, and serving a decade at the Denali Commission.

Her work has influenced policy in Alaska on major initiatives such as renewable energy, health, utilities, professional licensing, criminal justice reform, senior services, education and early childhood development – all with the impact to Alaska’s 229 tribes in mind.

Denali has traveled to hundreds of Alaska villages and communities, leading numerous strategic, often high-profile initiatives across the state.