Phyllis Amodo
Phyllis Amodo has been a member of KANA’s Board of Directors for 18 years. She has also served as the Mayor of Akhiok, President of the Kaguyak Tribal Council, and as a Chairperson for Akhiok-Kaguyak Incorporated (AKI). She has served on the sisterhood for her church, the Akhiok Advisory School Board, and the Akhiok Sablefish Committee. Phyllis also currently works for the Alaskan Native Tribal Health Consortium as a Regional Liaison for Kodiak.
Phyllis was born and raised in the city of Kodiak. In 1993 she moved to Akhiok, where her family is from. She is the daughter of Edward Phillips from Akhiok and Barbara Panamaroff of Kaguyak. Phyllis and her husband Rolin have five children, ranging from ages 11 to 29, and are also the proud grandparents of a five-year-old grandson.
Having moved back to Kodiak in 2020, Phyllis considers the entire Koniag region her home. “I represent not only the people of my community, but everyone throughout the island. I’m available for anyone with concerns or who just needs someone to talk to about anything.”
Phyllis thoroughly enjoys working with the other members of KANA’s Board and is proud of what they’ve worked to accomplish together, noting the expansion of KANA services. “I feel we have accomplished quite a bit in a very short period of time,” said Phyllis.
While KANA’s programs and services continue to make great strides, Phyllis realizes that there is more to do as the Board continues to look for ways to improve the quality of service. “Our goal is to help continue to ensure KANA’s prosperity, vision, mission, and values and that our strategic goals are met as we guide our current operation and future development of our health organization.”
She looks forward to continuing to represent Kaguyak Village as the Board continues to develop and implement the strategic plan for KANA. “We’ve had discussions about adding new child services. I’d like to see that happen in the near future.” Along with the other Board members, Phyllis also feels that one of their top priorities and challenges is to add additional services to KANA’s Substance Use Treatment programs. “I’d like to consider an option where counseling facilities are available within our communities so we can help our people around the island without having them leave their families. Many need the support they get when they’re closer to home.”
Phyllis takes pride in giving back to her community through volunteering. She previously coached youth volleyball when she lived in Akhiok, and she looks forward to getting involved in the Kodiak city community. “Whether it be with sports here in Kodiak, involvement with our Elders, or something else, I am very passionate about giving back to my community.”
Family time is also something that Phyllis treasures. “Family is important to me. Anytime we get a chance, we spend quality time together, whether going for car rides, fishing, walking the trails — just about anything you can do together. She also uses family time to offer some life lessons: “You can’t take life for granted,” advised Phyllis. “I want our children to learn to live in the moment, do what they can to help others, and to never be discouraged by anyone.”
