Our Staff
Our staff is small, but accomplishes much.
Although each position is structured to provide a specialized function, the staff interacts closely on projects, combining their expertise to see a project to fruition. Listed below is a brief description of each person’s background and the major focus of his or her position.
Jenna Wright
President & CEO
As President & CEO, Jenna is responsible for managing and supporting the successful deployment of strategies, programs and initiatives that promote the growth of the Anchorage economy. She works in collaboration with staff, partner organizations and the Board of Directors to accomplish initiatives and projects including business retention and expansion, workforce development, and economic research, so that Anchorage is one of the top mid-sized cities in America to live, work and play.
Wright is currently an ex-officio board member of Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Community Development Authority, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, and Visit Anchorage. She also serves on UAA’s College of Business and Public Policy Business Advisory Board and co-chairs Anchorage School District’s Academies Steering Committee.
Read the rest of Jenna's Bio
After graduating with her MBA, Wright worked as the Director of Business Operations for a Microcom where she was responsible for operational leadership of staff and regional contractors and optimizing satellite installation strategies across Alaska and Hawaii. In 2018, she joined the State of Alaska leadership team as the Deputy Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles where she was responsible for managing statewide operations, modernizing service delivery methods to optimize Alaskan’s experiences, legislative affairs, and budget management.
Outside of the office, Jenna enjoys cooking, travelling, and above all else, is an avid outdoorswoman. She loves to spend her time mountain running, biking, and hiking. She has trained for and participated in several historic Alaskan races like Seward’s Mt. Marathon and Anchorage’s Golden Nugget Triathlon, in addition to many other road running and mountain races across Alaska. Jenna was born in Anchorage, and expects to always call Anchorage home, where she lives with her husband Dana and their three dogs.
Ashley Ebnet
Director of Marketing & Development
Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Capella University and is a lifelong Alaskan. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, fishing, and camping with her family.
Jennifer Adams
Economic Development Manager
Jennifer Adams oversees economic development for AEDC, focusing on growing and supporting the business community in Alaska. Her expertise lies in business retention and expansion (BRE), economic research and reporting, strategic project development, and fostering collaborative initiatives that drive sustainable economic growth.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Sport Management from Aquinas College (2016). She initially worked in the professional sports industry before transitioning into corporate finance, multifamily asset management, and vendor relations with Monarch Investment and Management Group.
Her passion for the outdoors led her to pursue a Master of Science in Outdoor Recreation Economy from the University of Colorado Boulder, which she is set to complete in 2025. Specializing in sustainable business practices and public land and natural resource policy, Jennifer also contributed to research for the US Forest Service on “urban proximate” and studied international recreation, tourism, and public land policies.
Outside of work, Jennifer embraces all the outdoor adventures Alaska offers, from backpacking and skiing to playing ice hockey. She has hiked the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier and pack rafted across Admiralty Island.