Shelley Ebenal.

• Position: OFF THE CUFF

Shelley Ebenal's path to becoming the CEO for Foundation Health Partners, and the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation, wasn't exactly conventional. Ebenal spent the majority of her career practicing law, but, following a random phone call from a past employer, she started mulling over a change of scenery: "Dan Winfrey called me out of the blue one day and said, 'I'm up for the Alaska Supreme Court; if I get it, would you be interested in this job?"

Luckily for residents of the Interior--she was.

Having joined the organization during a pivotal time following its decision to leave Banner Health, Ebenal feels a deep commitment to serving Foundation Health Partners and the city that raised her.

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

Shelley Ebenal: My husband and I do a lot of remodeling. I don't think I've ever lived in a house with my husband that we haven't destroyed.

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

Ebenal: I've always wanted to learn to play an instrument, but I just don't have the talent... probably the piano.

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

Ebenal: Get my master's degree at fifty years old.

AB: What's your go-to comfort food?

Ebenal: Cheeseburger.

AB: What's your favorite way to exercise?

Ebenal: Aerobics. Not that I do a lot of it, but that is my favorite exercise.

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

Ebenal: I know this sounds really bizarre but Beethoven performing "Fik Elise".

AB: What's your greatest extravagance?

Ebenal: A few years ago my husband and kids, we took a trip to Italy and we did it completely right. It was an extreme extravagance. My husband is actually Italian and his family is from Sicily, and it was a very cool experience.

AB: What are you superstitious about?

Ebenal: Karma--what comes around goes around. Treat people how you would want to be treated. Remember what you do is gonna come back at ya.

AB: What is your best and worst attribute?

Ebenal: My worst...