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Spruce Root

Spruce Root provides local entrepreneurs with access to business development and financial resources Spruce Root, Inc. What We Do
Spruce Root, Inc.

Our primary goals are to:

Expand the regional economy
Foster new and sustainable businesses within rural communities

Southeast Alaska’s rural communities are suffering high unemployment rates, the loss of traditional jobs and a stagnant economy. Many residents leave their home communities in search of opportunities in urban areas. This outmigration threatens the very fiber of rural community health and well-being. brings a renewed sense of urgency and commitment to rebuilding our rural economies. seeks innovative ways to stabilize and sustain the economy of Southeast Alaska to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of our rural communities. Expanding the regional economy
We support economic development in the region by leveraging partner resources and capabilities. Our strategy is to focus on new and innovative opportunities to increase sustainability of the regional economy and remove impediments to economic growth. Sustainable local employment
Spruce Root, Inc. is connected to communities at the local level, this is essential to understanding local business needs and provide the expertise that will foster small business growth. By fostering rural entrepreneurship, we enable our communities to maintain traditional lifestyles while diminishing outmigration. Foster a collaborative effort
Our rural communities face unique challenges. We know that it takes true collaboration and partnership to overcome those challenges. collaborates at all levels—from state and federal agencies to individual community members—providing leadership, mentorship and other assistance as necessary to improve the economic, social and cultural vitality of our region.

01/14/2026

This month we’re highlighting what wealth looks like for different folks across our region, and how they’ve come to build financial wellness habits based on the values they hold and the lifestyles they want to lead.

Osman Casco has always dreamed of owning a pizza food truck. Os, who works as a chef in Juneau, knew that developing a solid business plan was the first step in making this aspiration a reality. A Google search led him to Spruce Root’s website, where he saw an upcoming financial wellness workshop. “I never felt like I had the skills to manage money,” Os explains, “I saw Spruce Root’s course and…I didn’t know exactly how things were going to go, but I knew if I took a step forward it would help me toward my goals.”

Now he has been attending financial wellness programming and participating in coaching for nearly a year. These experiences have allowed Os to build more confidence around implementing financial management practices in his life.

Seemingly small habits have added up in big ways. For Os, who grew up in Miami before settling down in Juneau, supporting family from afar is important. Through the strategies he’s learned with Haley Armstrong, Spruce Root’s Financial Wellness Program Manager, he’s been able to shift his mindset around money to align with his family values. “I held a lot of grudges against myself because I felt like I didn’t have money– or I spent it on other things. But now that I have better money management, I can help out my family…I think that consistency and discipline helped me be closer and be able to help them,” he says.

Interested in taking steps to align your financial decisions with your values? We’re offering a Financial Foundations Workshop on February 2nd & 3rd. Learn more and register here: https://spruceroot.org/etn/financial-foundations/

01/10/2026

Applications are due Sunday the 11th for the Sealaska Philanthropy & Development Internship!

Our 2026 intern will work closely with the two Kayla(h)s of Spruce Root:

Kaylah Duncan, Development Manager, who focuses on storytelling, fundraising, and connecting Spruce Root’s work to donors and grants—and Kayla Roberts, who leads Indigenous-led philanthropy and grant-making that benefits Indigenous communities across Alaska.

Together, they represent both sides of the coin: bringing funds in and sending funds out, all in support of Alaska Native community priorities.

Both Kayla(h)s began their own careers as Sealaska Interns and are excited to support the 2026 Spruce Root intern in learning about development, philanthropy, and nonprofit work in Southeast Alaska.

🗓️ Apply by Sunday the 11th. Learn more and apply at https://spruceroot.org/who-we-are/careers/

Tag somebody who you think would be a good fit for this position!

01/09/2026

Our Executive Director, Alana Peterson, was live on Juneau Afternoon, talking about Spruce Root's upcoming workshop for entrepreneurs!

01/09/2026

Today is the last day to register for our Master Class for Mid-Stage Entrepreneurs, happening January 23-25 in Juneau!

Join us to strengthen your leadership skills, explore practical uses of AI, prepare for business continuity during extreme weather, and discover strategies to market and brand your business for long-term resilience.

During the three day workshop, mid-stage entrepreneurs will receive insider knowledge from financial and strategic planning experts, and a
network of mentors, community partners, and Alaskan business owners.

Want to join us but live outside of Juneau? Travel stipends are available! Find more info and register for the course here: https://spruceroot.org/etn/2025-master-class-leading-through-uncertainty/

01/09/2026

Ready to give your finances a fresh start in the new year? Tonight is your last chance to register for the Financial Wellness New Year Mini-Workshop!

If you’ve been curious about Spruce Root’s Financial Wellness program, but haven’t felt ready for a multi-day deep dive, this virtual mini-workshop is the perfect place to start.

In this 2-hour virtual workshop we’ll work together to:
• Identify the values behind your financial decisions
• Distinguish between short and long term financial goals
• Create realistic, personalized financial objectives
• Develop habits that support consistent financial progress

Join us for a couple hours on January 12th, and get the support you need to make your financial goals a reality in 2026. Register here: https://spruceroot.org/etn/new-year-financial-goals-virtual-mini-workshop/

01/08/2026

What does wealth look like to you? Rows of canned salmon stacked on the shelf during winter? Building up savings to pass along to future generations?
Our definitions of wealth influence the decisions we make around money. This month we’ll be highlighting what wealth looks like for folks across Southeast Alaska, and how they’ve come to build financial wellness habits based on the values they hold and the lifestyles they want to lead.

For Haley Armstrong, growing up in Craig taught her that wealth looks like the ability to look after one another. “People in the village step up when someone needs help. That sense of care for one another is a big part of why community is such a core value for me,” she says.

In Haley’s experience, though, it can be difficult to balance this community-centered view of wealth with the demands of living in a consumer-driven society that teaches us to tie our worth to what we own. “I knew my purchasing power didn’t measure my value in society… but it was a challenge to remember that,” she shares.

In her role as Spruce Root’s Financial Wellness Program Manager, Haley works with folks from across Southeast Alaska to build skills that help them align financial decisions with the values and conceptions of wealth that matter the most to them.

In Haley’s case, this means choosing financial goals that help her stay connected and dependable to her community, like buying a home and building an emergency fund to help herself and others when they need it.

Interested in taking steps to align your financial decisions with your values? Join Haley on Jan 12 for our New Year Financial Goals Virtual Mini Workshop, or check out upcoming financial wellness workshops and personalized coaching opportunities- find more details about Spruce Root’s financial wellness offerings at the link in bio!

Photograph by Erin O’Farrell and Haley Armstrong

12/22/2025

We have one more new team member to introduce before the end of the year! Elsa Sebastian joined the Spruce Root crew a couple of months ago as our new Communications and Special Projects Manager.

Elsa grew up in Point Baker, a fishing village on Prince of Wales Island. She attended high school in Petersburg and went on to college in Boston, where she earned a degree in Environmental Studies and Communications from Wellesley College.

A second-generation commercial fisherman, Elsa has spent more than a decade captaining and crewing boats throughout Alaska. During fishing off-seasons, she worked and volunteered with several Alaska-based nonprofits. More recently, Elsa has worked as an editor, producer, and director of documentary films, bringing a strong background in collaborative storytelling, visual communications, and project management to her role at Spruce Root. She currently lives in Haines.

Elsa loves the many small communities across Southeast Alaska that she got to know during her years as a salmon troller, and she’s excited to help connect Spruce Root’s services with villages and towns throughout the region.

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12/18/2025

We don’t want to let 2025 come to a close without introducing our new Program Manager for Small Business, Andrew Jylkka.

Andrew grew up in Connecticut, but once he started moving west, he never looked back. After graduating from Ohio State University with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Ecosystem Restoration, he moved to the Pacific Northwest. In 2016, Andrew began working in Wrangell, taking youth from across the state on canoe trips in the waters around Wrangell and the Stikine River.

In 2020, he moved to Sitka to start a sourdough bakery and spent years building his business from the scratch. Andrew joined the Spruce Root team in November, and in his first couple of months on the job, he’s been enjoying supporting entrepreneurs across the region through free one-on-one coaching calls and business workshops.

Andrew has a great sense of humor and can easily relate to the challenges and opportunities of running a small business in Southeast Alaska. We’re so glad he’s part of the team!

12/13/2025

Shop Native-Owned, Shop Local! The One Sealaska Gift Guide can be found at spruceroot.org/resources/local-gift-guide

From accessories and apparel, to art, food, and more, the One Sealaska Gift Guide compiles a variety of Southeast Alaska’s small business offerings into one place, making it easy for you to keep your impact local this holiday season.

The Gift Guide is a collaboration between Sealaska, Spruce Root, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute, also known as the partnership.

12/11/2025

If a new 4-wheeler, jet boat, or freedom from a mortgage is at the top of your Christmas list, chances are you might end up a little disappointed.

But Spruce Root has a little something special for you! Our virtual New Year Financial Wellness Mini workshop is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to align their finances with what they value most.

The truth is, most of us have to put in years of work to pay off a home, build an emergency fund, or finally afford that new outboard for the skiff. Setting a clear financial goal and creating an actionable plan can make your hard work pay off faster.

Join us on January 12th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Zoom! More details at https://spruceroot.org/etn/new-year-financial-goals-virtual-mini-workshop/

Photo

12/02/2025

Commercial fishermen — we see you out there. You’ve learned just about everything there is to know about hydraulics, diesel mechanics, wiring, and of course, the mysterious ways of sea creatures.

But how are your bookkeeping skills? Do you feel as confident going into tax season as you do heading into an opener? Maybe not — and we want to help with that.
Fishin’ & Finances is this Friday, and this is the last call for fishermen to register. https://spruceroot.org/etn/fishin-finances/

In this FREE financial wellness session, a CPA who specializes in commercial fishing will give a presentation and answer your questions. She’s seen it all, so no question is off the table.

Share this post with your favorite commercial fishing captain or crew member!

Address

One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400 (2nd Floor)
Juneau, AK
99801

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19075869251

Website

http://www.spruceroot.org/

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