Mary E. Walker - Project Director

Mary Walker is the Project Director of Alaska Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), a non-profit organization connecting interfaith communities across Alaska with the tools and resources to serve as stewards of creation.  

Mary has worked in the environmental stewardship field for more than 18 years and has spent the last 9 years in Alaska. Mary's previous work experience includes: Climate Change Coordinator for Alaska Conservation Solutions in Anchorage, Environmental Interpreter for the Bureau of Land Management - Alaska; Outdoor Recreation Planner for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland; Environmental Educator for the National Audubon Society; and Biological Technician specializing in Arizona threatened and endangered species. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Arizona and an M.S. in Conservation Social Science from the University of Idaho.

Mary helped the Fairbanks Rescue Mission establish the only community-recycling center in Fairbanks, which opened its doors on September 5th 2009. In 2008, she was honored with the Environmental Excellence Award from the Alaska Forum on the Environment for developing a green job program employing homeless to operate recycling stations in downtown Anchorage.  Mary serves as Alaska’s Ambassador to Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet program and is excited to be a Board Member of the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. 

Mary enjoys birding, beading, flowers, social science, hiking, sunsets, dancing, fall in the Arctic, Mexican food, the smell of the Sonoran desert after it rains, working with Alaska Women's Environmental Network, family and friends, her dog Madeline and cat Coconut, and her wonderful husband Shane.
 

The Rev. Paul Klitzke - Committee Chair

The Rev. Paul Klitzke serves multiple ministries, while serving as Rector of St. David's Episcopal Church. Recruited by The Regeneration Project (TRP), Klitzke developed Alaska IPL with the support of TRP and established the initial diverse steering committee. As Alaska IPL developed more staff were needed and a Program Coordinator was hired. As Chair my focus has been on leading the steering committee, phone calls to other church leaders, representing to program our policy makers and to the public in person and through the media, as well as working on the website.

As ordained clergy, Reverend Klitzke provides a network of resources and access to collective knowledge of a variety of persons. Klitzke, with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art Administration and a Master's of Divinity also brings an understanding of how churches and non-profits operate. Clergy represent a variety of interests and needs of the community, allowing for a unique relationship with policy makers. I believe that Alaska IPL assists those in faith communities live into their call and commitment to care for God's creation. I further believe that it also fulfills the call to strive for justice and mercy. My commitment to the program comes from my sense of vocation, not simply a need for employment.