Joan Ryan Bids Farewell to Enlaces
Joan Ryan closes six years at Enlaces with a calm farewell, convinced that community and leadership renewal are what sustain the future.After six years of sustained work, Joan Ryan announced that December marked the end of her time at Enlaces, the community organization she helped consolidate as a central space for Alaska’s Latino community. Having completed two full terms and three and a half years as president, her departure comes with a clear conviction: the organization can and should continue moving forward with new leadership.
During Ryan’s tenure, Enlaces achieved a more consistent and visible presence. In an interview with SDMN, she points to a moment that best captures the personal and collective meaning of her time with the organization. It was during the artisan fair held at the museum as part of Hispanic Heritage Month in 2025. “That was when I realized that all the effort, volunteer time, and dedication had paid off,” she recalled. Although she was out of state at the time, the board of directors successfully carried the project forward. “Seeing people so involved in the event and watching them arrive carrying the flags of their countries was deeply moving.” That day also marked a turning point. “I felt clearly that Enlaces had the capacity to move forward on its own,” she explained, a conviction that now underpins her decision to step aside. Ryan oversaw several significant initiatives, including the Women’s Conference, held entirely in Spanish, which brought together more than 70 participants and is already being planned again for March 2026. Community participation also grew at cultural events, where, according to Ryan, one can feel “community, a sense of belonging, and that much needed Latino warmth.” She also highlighted the organization’s presence in institutional spaces, bringing the Latino voice into municipal meetings and equity committees. “I personally attended the meetings of the Anchorage Assembly’s Equity Committee, representing the Latino community to ensure that our needs and perspectives were heard within the municipality,” she said. As she closes this chapter, Ryan emphasizes the importance of new leadership. “Resources are limited,” she noted, which makes commitment, a spirit of service, and humility essential. Speaking about community work, she was candid and warm. “It’s a lot of work,” she said. Everything is done on a volunteer basis, in people’s free time, and “always from the heart.” Her final reflection focuses less on the position she leaves behind and more on the bond that remains. Enlaces, she affirmed, exists to create that indispensable connection between the Latino community and the resources available in Alaska. |