Annette Alfonsi graduated from West Anchorage High School and has a BA in Sociology from Pacific Lutheran University. Years ago, she was a passenger in a rollover car accident with a reckless driver, and worked years to get appropriate treatment to heal. Annette now provides multidisciplinary continuing education events for credentialed professionals with the hope of raising the standard of healthcare in Alaska by increasing interdisciplinary care coordination. She is a small business owner, is part of a statewide network to reduce alcohol misuse and harms, and has completed multiple leadership and professional development trainings.

Annette brought the Unmasking Brain Injury project to Alaska to make sure our stories can be included in the world’s biggest brain injury awareness project of its kind. She has incorporated the mask project into community conversations around disability inclusion, Anchorage Assembly resolutions raising awareness around disabilities, and advocating to change state law. She organizes an annual Disability Awareness Art Show every October with Denali Graphics and Frame gallery in order to provide opportunities for people with any connection to any disability to sell their art directly to the public through the gallery. Annette believes in the healing power of community and art, and the importance of tangibly supporting the value of lived experience when creating positive systems change.