Desiré Shepler: A Beacon of Public Health Leadership in Alaska’s Behavioral Health Landscape

In the vast, rugged expanse of Alaska, where communities are often separated by miles of wilderness and the challenges of isolation amplify the need for robust health services, individuals like Desiré Shepler stand out as exemplars of dedication and impact. A 2010 alumna of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) College of Health, Shepler has leveraged her Master of Public Health (MPH) education to carve a remarkable career path, leading multiple innovative organizations focused on behavioral health and social services. Her journey is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the power of education, resilience, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of Alaskans—particularly during times of crisis, such as the ongoing behavioral health challenges and the global pandemic. This article explores Shepler’s career, the skills she honed at UAA, and how she has applied them to address Alaska’s unique public health needs, while reflecting on the broader significance of her work.

Early Foundations: Education at UAA’s College of Health

Desiré Shepler’s story begins with her academic roots at UAA, where she earned her MPH in 2010. The UAA College of Health, recognized as the lead health campus within the University of Alaska system, is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, preparing students to tackle the multifaceted health challenges of the state and the Circumpolar North. Shepler’s education was grounded in a curriculum that emphasized public health practice, community engagement, and the ability to design and evaluate programs tailored to diverse populations. This was no theoretical exercise; it was a practical toolkit designed for real-world application in a state where healthcare disparities, rural isolation, and behavioral health crises are persistent realities.

During her time at UAA, Shepler was exposed to a blend of coursework and hands-on experiences that shaped her understanding of public health as a holistic endeavor. The MPH program, accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, offered courses in epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, and program evaluation—skills that would later prove invaluable in her leadership roles. Beyond the classroom, Shepler’s education likely included opportunities for community-engaged projects, a hallmark of UAA’s approach, allowing her to connect academic theory with the lived experiences of Alaskans. This foundation was critical, as Alaska’s public health landscape demands professionals who can navigate complex social determinants of health, from substance use disorders to domestic violence, in communities that are often underserved.

Shepler’s academic journey was also marked by recognition and support. In 2010, she received a scholarship from the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF), a pivotal moment that not only eased financial burdens but also foreshadowed her future contributions to the organization. This early investment in her potential highlights the symbiotic relationship between education and community impact—a theme that would define her career.

A Career of Impact: Leading Behavioral Health Organizations

Upon graduating, Shepler wasted no time applying her skills to address Alaska’s pressing needs. Her career trajectory reflects a deliberate focus on behavioral health, a field that encompasses mental health, substance use disorders, and the social services that support vulnerable populations. Alaska, with its high rates of mental illness (over 100,000 adults affected, including 28,000 with serious conditions), substance use challenges (nearly 25% of residents face significant issues), and a shortage of treatment options, presented a fertile yet challenging ground for her work.

One of Shepler’s early leadership roles was as the head of Raising Our Children with Kindness (ROCK), a collaborative initiative focused on family services and child welfare. This organization aimed to strengthen families through preventative and supportive measures, addressing the root causes of behavioral health issues such as trauma and instability. Shepler’s ability to lead ROCK demonstrated her knack for coalition-building and program innovation—skills honed at UAA, where she learned to assess community needs and implement evidence-based solutions. Her work with ROCK was a stepping stone, showcasing her capacity to translate public health principles into actionable outcomes for Alaska’s families.

Following her tenure at ROCK, Shepler took on a significant role as Social Services Administrator for Alaska Island Community Services (AICS) in Wrangell, Alaska. For over two years, she managed social service programs in this remote Southeast Alaskan community, overseeing initiatives that likely included behavioral health support, given the region’s needs. Her departure from AICS was met with praise from colleagues, who described her as “full of energy, very creative, and well-liked”—qualities that underscored her effectiveness as a leader. This role required her to adapt public health strategies to a rural context, a challenge she met with the analytical and interpersonal skills developed during her UAA training.

In 2016, Shepler joined the Mat-Su Health Foundation as a Program Associate, a position that marked a significant evolution in her career. The MSHF, dedicated to improving the health and wellness of residents in the Mat-Su Borough, offered Shepler a platform to manage grant and scholarship programs. Her responsibilities included investigating grant requests, conducting budget analyses, developing funding recommendations, and analyzing program trends—tasks that demanded the rigorous evaluation skills she acquired at UAA. Notably, Shepler was the first MSHF scholarship recipient to transition into employment with the foundation, a poetic full-circle moment that underscored her deep ties to the organization. Her work at MSHF amplified her impact, as she supported grantees addressing behavioral health, domestic violence, and family support—issues central to Alaska’s public health landscape.

Shepler’s most prominent role to date came when she ascended to the position of President and CEO of Alaska Family Services (AFS), a major behavioral health organization providing 23 programs across areas like mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence intervention, and family support. Her leadership at AFS, highlighted by UAA in a 2021 feature, came at a critical time during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for social services soared. Under her guidance, AFS continued to deliver essential support to Alaskan families, adapting to unprecedented challenges with resilience and innovation. This role cemented her reputation as a leader capable of steering large-scale organizations through crises, a testament to the strategic planning and adaptability she learned at UAA.

Applying UAA Skills to Behavioral Health Leadership

Shepler’s success is not a matter of chance but a direct outcome of the skills she cultivated at UAA’s College of Health. Her MPH education equipped her with a comprehensive toolkit: the ability to assess population health needs, design and evaluate programs, and engage with communities in culturally responsive ways. These competencies are evident across her career, from her grassroots work at ROCK to her executive leadership at AFS.

Her training in program evaluation and data analysis, for instance, shines through in her work at MSHF, where she analyzed grant reports and trends to optimize funding decisions. Similarly, her understanding of social determinants of health—learned through UAA’s focus on socioeconomic status, culture, and community dynamics—enabled her to address the root causes of behavioral health issues in diverse Alaskan contexts. At AFS, her ability to oversee 23 distinct programs reflects the interdisciplinary approach she mastered at UAA, blending public health with organizational management to meet complex needs.

Moreover, Shepler’s leadership style—energetic, creative, and collaborative—mirrors the community-engaged ethos of UAA’s College of Health. Her education emphasized partnerships and stakeholder engagement, skills she applied to build coalitions at ROCK, manage teams at AICS, and guide AFS through a pandemic. This relational approach is particularly vital in Alaska, where trust and cultural competence are essential for effective health interventions, especially among Alaska Native populations.

Recognition and Broader Implications

Shepler’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, she was named to the Alaska Journal of Commerce’s Top 40 Under 40 list, an accolade recognizing her service to Alaskan families and her innovative leadership. This honor reflects not only her personal achievements but also the ripple effect of her work, which has bolstered behavioral health infrastructure across the state.

Her career also underscores the critical role of institutions like UAA in addressing Alaska’s health workforce needs. The College of Health, with its growing output of health-related degrees (from 380 in 2000 to over 1,000 in 2020), is a pipeline for professionals like Shepler, who fill gaps in a state where behavioral health job growth is projected to exceed 10% over the next decade. Her story challenges the narrative that rural or remote regions lack the talent to tackle their own challenges; instead, it highlights how local education can empower leaders to drive change from within.

A Critical Reflection

While Shepler’s accomplishments are undeniable, her journey invites critical reflection. The behavioral health crisis in Alaska—marked by high rates of mental illness, substance use, and incarceration—remains a formidable challenge, even with leaders like her at the helm. Her success at AFS during the pandemic, while impressive, must be weighed against the systemic barriers that persist: funding shortages, workforce deficits, and the logistical hurdles of serving remote communities. Her reliance on UAA’s training also raises questions about whether such education is accessible enough to produce more leaders of her caliber, given Alaska’s socioeconomic disparities.

Nevertheless, Shepler’s career offers a model of what is possible when education meets determination. Her ability to lead multiple organizations suggests a scalability that could inspire broader policy shifts, though the true test lies in whether her efforts can catalyze systemic change beyond individual programs.

Conclusion

Desiré Shepler’s journey from a UAA MPH graduate to a leader of behavioral health organizations in Alaska is a narrative of impact, resilience, and purpose. Her application of public health skills—rooted in assessment, evaluation, and community engagement—has transformed lives across the state, from Wrangell to the Mat-Su Valley to the broader reach of Alaska Family Services. As of March 27, 2025, her legacy continues to unfold, offering hope and a blueprint for addressing Alaska’s behavioral health challenges. In a state where the need is great and the stakes are high, Shepler stands as a beacon, proving that education, when paired with vision, can indeed make the world a healthier place.

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