JUNEAU, AK (May 4, 2023) – The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is pleased to announce Karen Taug has accepted the position of Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Taug's Tlingit name is GunnaShaa and she is Raven of the L’uknax.ádi clan (Coho) and DaGinaa Hít (The Far Out House) of Dry Bay, Alaska. She is also Tsimshian and Penobscot and is the daughter of retired Major Donald Keen Sr. and Mary (Brown) Lekanof.
In this position, she will forecast Tlingit & Haida’s financial standing based on operational data and financial reports as well as advise on the Tribe’s strategic direction. Taug will also oversee budget preparation and auditing functions essential to keeping our tribal enterprises profitable.
“We are grateful Karen is willing to step out of retirement and assist us while we recruit a new Chief Financial Officer. She has an impeccable record in financial leadership and, as a tribal citizen, understands the importance of finance to our daily success,” shared President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson.
“The Tribe is expanding and doing wonderful things for our tribal citizens in Southeast Alaska and beyond, and I’m happy to be a part of the change and the success,” shared Taug.
Taug replaces former CFO Theresa Belton who retired on April 28 after more than 20 years of dedicated service to the Tribe where she served the last 11 years as CFO.
“Theresa worked tirelessly to look after the financial well-being of Tlingit & Haida,” said President Peterson. “She delivered clean audits year after year which was a demonstration of her leadership, hard work and dedication. Gunalchéesh, Háw’aa to Theresa for her years of service to the Tribe and our tribal citizens. We cannot thank her enough and wish her well in all of her future endeavors.”
Taug retired as finance controller for Bartlett Regional Hospital after over five (5) years of service. Prior to that, she was a finance controller for SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. Some of her other roles include Sealaska’s senior accountant and Goldbelt Heritage Foundation Board member.
Taug has spent most of her career supporting Native organizations and the success of our Southeast Alaska villages. She brings her distinctive perspective to the forefront when conducting business and considering investments.
Taug is currently the President of the Deishu Tlingit & Haida Community Council and serves as a Tlingit & Haida Delegate for the community of Haines, board member for Sealaska, board of commissioners member for Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority Board, and member of the Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 5.
Taug will serve as Acting CFO until the Tribe can permanently fill the vacant position.