Gail R. Schubert.

• Position: OFF THE CUFF - Interview

Bering Straits Native Corporation President and CEO Gail R. Schubert finds deep satisfaction in her work to benefit the corporation's shareholders, descendants, and communities. "Bering Straits has grown to a point where we're able to increase shareholder development opportunities and I'm proud of that," she states. "We've increased scholarship distributions, dividends, and distributions to Elders. Our growth is helping benefit our shareholders--that's something I feel really good about."

Alaska Business: What do you do in your free time?

Gail R. Schubert: I plan on getting back into making jewelry again. I like working with ivory, trade beads, and semiprecious stones.

AB: Is there a skill you're currently developing or have always wanted to learn?

Schubert: I'd like to learn Inupiaq--as I get older, I think it's become a lot more important to me to understand and be able to speak the language.

AB: What is your go-to comfort food?

Schubert: Akutaq, especially salmon berry. Akutaq [also known as Eskimo ice cream] is a mixture of whipped animal fats or Crisco, flaked white fish, sugar, and berries. [Schubert wants to learn to make it herself, but until she does, her favorite Akutaq source is her sister Joan.]

AB: Other than your current career, if you were a child today, what would your dream job be?

Schubert: A doctor.

AB: What's your favorite way to exercise?

Schubert: Berry picking, walking, clam digging, fishing,

AB: What's the most daring thing that you've ever done?

Schubert: Probably going to work in New York City when I graduated from Cornell Law School.

AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to most see perform live in concert?

Schubert: The Bee Gees. The ringtone for my husband's number is a Bee Gees song.

...