Our Team

Blue has worked in the early care and learning profession in Juneau since 1997. Her experience spans nearly every aspect of child care, from teaching assistant to owning and operating a family child care program, a group home, and a large child care center. This breadth of experience gives her a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing early educators and families in Southeast Alaska. As Executive Director of the Southeast Childhood Collective, Blue leads regional initiatives that strengthen the early learning workforce, expand child care capacity, and build strong community partnerships across the region. She works closely with local and state leaders to elevate early learning as an economic and community priority and to encourage long-term public investment in child care. Blue holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast and more than 30 ECE credits from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and playing board and card games with her family.

Nikki has been part of the Southeast Childhood Collective team since way back in 2000. She holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Visual Arts. She brings more than two decades of experience in community engagement, systems building, database management, nonprofit leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. Over the years, Nikki has worn many hats, but her favorite part of the work has always been bringing people together around a shared goal. Whether building systems, coordinating projects, organizing community initiatives, or helping turn big ideas into reality, she enjoys finding practical solutions that strengthen families and communities. Currently, Nikki's work focuses on developing the Fireweed Family Center, a community-driven vision to create a welcoming hub where children, families, and service providers can connect, learn, play, and grow together. The project reflects her belief that when communities invest in children and families, everyone benefits. At the heart of Nikki's work is a simple idea: when we support children, families, and the people who care for them, we create stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities for generations to come. When not busy at work, Nikki spends time with her family and grandchildren, works on a variety of art projects, and grows garlic.

Tess has been passionate about early childhood education since her first job - as a preschool art teacher. She loves the complexity of development in young children, the creativity, language acquisition, playfulness and curiosity. As a graduate from the Evergreen State College, integrated learning approaches and building community have been a big part of her life. She was part of the Baby Raven Reads team at Sealaska Heritage for almost 6 years, focusing on early literacy skills. Tess is excited to join the Southeast Childhood Collective community and build strong foundations in early childcare by developing an apprentice program. When not at work, you can find her dyeing yarn, wandering through forests, or making wild baking creations with her kid.

Emily joined the Southeast Childhood Collective team in November of 2007 and can help you with any questions, concerns, or interest you have in the Parents As Teachers program in Juneau. She has a Masters in Education, a Bachelors in Early Childhood, holds a birth-3 Montessori certification and is an endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist. Experiences in the field include, but are not limited to running an in-home childcare, leading an infant room, 10+ years of home visiting experience and cultivating a sense of playfulness in all areas of life. She has two elementary aged children, an enthusiastic dog and a patient husband.. what more could you ask for?

Raineka is the newest member of the Parents as Teachers team as a Parent Educator. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. For the past 5 years, Raineka has been teaching in the infant and toddler program at the Nike World Headquarters Early Childhood Development Program outside of Portland, Oregon, and she is excited to be back in Juneau where she grew up, to serve families in the community that she calls home. Raineka is most excited to partner with families and utilize her skills in early childhood education to help families outside of the classroom. She looks forward to helping to parents facilitate learning and growth opportunities for our most vulnerable population—our youth. Outside of work, Raineka really enjoys traveling and always likes to have her next trip planned. She also loves fishing, dancing, spending time with friends and family, and playing outside.

Liesel moved to Alaska for college in 2005, from Kansas. She earned her Associates Degree in Elementary Education at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, before moving to Juneau in 2008. She has over ten years of experience working with children and families in various child care centers, in-home care, and preschools. Liesel joined the Parents as Teachers team in 2022 and loves getting to know the families of Juneau and supporting them through the stages of early childhood!

Shanen earned her bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and brings nearly four years of experience working with children from infant to preschool age as an Early Childhood Educator. She joined the team in May 2026 and is excited to continue her commitment to supporting children and families in her close-knit community as a Home Visitor. Shanen looks forward to sharing her knowledge of child development and providing meaningful support during these important early stages of life. Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her partner, spending time in the mountains with their dog, dinners with friends and family, and exploring her many creative hobbies at home.

Mary Adelmeyer has spent the past 30 years supporting families with young children in Juneau, bringing a deep commitment to nurturing healthy parent–child relationships from the earliest days of life. Her work is grounded in respect, responsiveness, and the belief that parents are the most important experts on their children. Mary is a certified postpartum doula through Childbirth International, where she received specialized training in supporting families during the tender postpartum period. She is also a certified sleep consultant through the Institute of Sensitive Sleep Consulting, focusing on gentle, relationship-based approaches that honor both infant development and family well-being. For the past six years, Mary has served as a Parent Educator with Parents As Teachers, partnering with families to strengthen attachment, support child development, and build parental confidence through education, encouragement, and connection.

Lea joined the team in 2025 as assistant to the PAT Coordinator and as a postpartum home visitor serving families through the first four months post-birth. Lea draws on many years of experience to work closely with & support families as they navigate the ups & downs of life. Some of that experience includes over a decade in the service industry, working in family health, and ongoing education as a Natural Nutrition Consultant. Additionally, Lea is a certified Postpartum Doula and is pursuing further studies in Lactation Counselling. Lea was born in Juneau and after moving around the continent several times, she and her husband returned in 2021 and are happy to call this wonderful community their forever home.

Lisa has worked with Southeast Childhood Collective for 4 years. She has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood/Special Education from Western Oregon University, Corvallis OR and a BS degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from Southeast Missouri University, Cape Girardeau, MO. Lisa has taught children of all ages throughout Alaska but found her heart with Early Childhood/Special Education, spending her last 15 years of teaching with the Integrated Preschool Special Education program in the Juneau School District. Lisa has two adult daughters, Zori and Zoza and enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband Jay and many Alaskan friends.

Fisher joined Southeast Childhood Collective in 2026. In his role, he supports childcare development across Southeast Alaska by helping new and expanding programs navigate licensing, program planning, provider resources, and sustainability. He also coordinates Partnerships for Families & Children, supporting partner engagement, community resource coordination, early childhood priorities, and SCC’s local Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Fisher brings many years of experience working with children, families, and early childhood programs in Juneau, including school-age childcare, program leadership, licensing support, professional development, and resource and referral work. He is a lifelong Juneau resident and proud father. Outside of work, he enjoys live music, skiing at Eaglecrest, paddleboarding on the water, exploring the wilderness, and spending time with his partner, family, friends, and his always-active sheepadoodle, Hank.

Destinee Siegel was born in California and spent much of her childhood overseas before returning to the United States for college. She and her husband have called Juneau home since 2016. Destinee earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast in 2019 while working for the State of Alaska. After taking time away from her career to focus on her family, she is thrilled to have returned to the workforce in a field she is deeply passionate about. Destinee is dedicated to supporting families across Southeast Alaska by expanding access to meaningful family and literacy resources. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, music, gardening, cooking, and fishing.

An Alabama transplant, Colleen has been living in Juneau since 2012. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from UAB in Birmingham, Alabama. After living in Juneau for a year, she decided to stay and obtained her MPA from UAS. Colleen served as a child care administrator in Juneau for seven years before taking two years off to be a stay-at-home mom. Since joining the Childhood Collective in 2022, she has taken a deep dive into Circle of Security Classroom and is now an Endorsed Circle of Security Classroom Coach. She loves working with child care providers and exploring the “why” behind a child’s behavior. Colleen lives in Juneau with her husband, three children, her dog, her cat, and several pet fish. She enjoys spending time with her family, disc golfing, playing volleyball, reading, and working on puzzles.