Gail “Anagick” Schubert, former President and CEO of Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC), was recognized with the Public Service President’s Award at the 2025 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage on Friday. Schubert is Inupiaq and was born and raised in the Norton Sound village of Unalakleet.
The Public Service award was given in recognition of Schubert’s decades of leadership and public service across Alaska Native institutions. In her acceptance speech, Schubert shared the history of her family and reflected on a professional career that took her to New York and back.
“It's been such a blessing for me to have been able to do the kinds of things that I have because of the opportunity that Alaska has," Schubert said.
Schubert retired from her executive role at BSNC in 2023 and has held prominent leadership roles throughout the state. She currently serves as vice chair of Akeela Treatment Services, the Alaska Native Justice Center, and the ANCSA Regional Association, and is chair of the Alaska Retirement Management Board.
Her time at BSNC dates back to 1992, when she first joined its board. She later served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel beginning in 2003, and ascended to CEO in December 2009 and became president the following year. 
Under her leadership as CEO, BSNC’s revenues grew from about $152 million to over $543 million by fiscal year 2022, alongside substantial distributions in dividends and benefits to shareholders. 
Schubert accepted the award as friends and family filled the stage behind her. Her longtime friend, Roy Ashenfelter, spoke after her acceptance speech.
“Gail transformed BSNC – I want to let you know this is a very, very true statement – into a multi-million dollar enterprise while fiercely protecting subsistence rights, promoting education and empowering shareholders, her legal and financial expertise, paired with her cultural grounding, enabled her to serve both with confidence and care,” Ashenfelter said.
Ashenfelter presented Schubert with a gift and hugged to applause from the audience. Darlene Trigg also presented Schubert with a gift on behalf of Kawerak, Inc.
