Chamber Staff

Originally from New Jersey, Samantha spent her college years in Michigan and found Seward in 2019. After coaching The Kenai Crewsers Rowing Club for three seasons, she transitioned into her role as Membership Coordinator with the Seward Chamber of Commerce in 2022. Now 2023, Samantha has accepted the position as our Executive Director! Samantha is an enthusiastic contributor with the Chamber and eager to help the membership flourish!

Karen is filled with a helpful heart, spunk and goofiness. She spent the last few years working with foreign exchange students from around the world, making coffee in New Zealand, teaching english online to students in China, and even working with third graders at Seward Elementary School! She loves meeting new people, traveling and adventuring this beautiful world we live in. She can be found in the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center helping guests write their adventure story.

Ally is from the Pacific Northwest town of Edmonds, Washington. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations at Western Washington University. Shortly after, she moved to Seward with her partner who was born and raised here. Ally has a passion for storytelling and creativity. She is excited to share all the wonderful things Seward has to offer. When out of the office, you can find Ally going on adventures with her dog, Winnie, gardening, kayaking and enjoying the variety of live music Alaska has to share!

Kelly Ann Cavaretta lives and breathes small business. Her past 7 years have been predominantly defined in marine tourism – managing a push-the-limits seasonal small business explosion that Seward summers know best. An entrepreneur herself, Kelly Ann comes from a footing of shared experiences as SBDC’s newest Seward Business Advisor. From working as an environmental consultant in San Diego, to managing 60 seasonal employees and a seasonal boat tour company in Seward, to starting her own small yoga studio and own nightly rental business, Salted Roots Cabins, to buying an existing downtown restaurant and long-term rental business, Thorns, Kelly Ann hopes to bring real time experience to her community clients. To say Seward is her home is an understatement – She’s a proud resident of Seward, a community volunteer and board member, an avid recreationist in these coastal mountains, and a new mom. Kelly Ann has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University.