Meet the team
Motivated & committed to bringing the dream to reality
Tourists visiting Anchorage can enjoy an easy day trip to ARK@Denali — a free viewing deck, day picnic area, water sports and, for the more adventurous, helicopter rides to the mountain.
Development team
Yolanda “Yo’EL” D’Oyen
Founder / CEO / Developer · UEL Development Corp & ARK Denali
A Chinese Jamaican, Creative Serial Entrepreneur, Real Estate Professional, Woman of God & Founder, Builder, Operator. Gifted with a unique blend of skill sets and successfully providing 42 years as a Real Estate Professional and creative design services in the fields of Art and Architecture, Planning, Construction, Management and Development, Marketing and Business Development and Operations.
Exceptionally strong in preparing Pre Development Documents: Conceptual Drawings, Research Development, Design and Presentation Drawings, Investment and Development Proformas, Business Plan/Copywriting, Entitlement Presentations, Creating Budgets and Scheduling. Experienced at Asset Managing Multiple Projects and supported by experienced Development Team Professionals, from the Initial Concept, Planning, Permits and Entitlements, Construction all the way through to Completion and Operations.
Ensuring the Business Plan is being Successfully Executed, and that the Investors, the Management Team, all Personnel and Guests alike, are enjoying the fruit of accomplishment, for this pioneering & lucrative Resort Development.
Construction team
Experienced Alaskan contractors
ARK@Denali is being built by a team of skilled Alaskan contractors and subcontractors, each experienced in building in Alaska and with longevity in the trade.
With Alaska’s summer days having 24 hours of sunlight and a short building season, our contractors are motivated and dedicated to upholding the construction schedule — working longer hours when needed to reach scheduled milestones and ensure a timely completion.
Management team
An energetic core management team
VC = verbal commitment · TBD = to be determined
Executive AssistantVC
Efficient with 30+ years of high-level administrative and organizational support skills. Managing calendars, scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, handling correspondence, overseeing reports, and managing special projects. She acts as a liaison between the executive and other stakeholders, both internal and external, and often handles sensitive information with discretion.
CFO / CPA · Controller · Taxes / CorporateVC
A CPA and previous CFO with over 15 years experience in financial accounting, auditing, construction accounting, cash flow management, gross profit analysis/tracking, budgeting/forecasting, KPI development/tracking, acquisition/sales due diligence, and tax compliance/preparation.
Human Resources · Camp Strategy Training TeamVC
Strategic, Tactical, Planning, Operational Guidance & Standard Operating Procedures; Budgeting & Financial Analysis: collective 80 years of experience. Staff Management Training: comprehensive staff and management training programs designed for the dynamic needs of the outdoor hospitality industry — cultivating a culture of continuous improvement with practical tools, personalized guidance, and immersive training modules.
Marketing / Sales · PR · Social Media · DatabaseTBD
This dynamic role requires a highly organized and results-oriented individual with a strong foundation in integrated marketing communications, sales strategy, public relations, social media management, and database management — developing, implementing, and optimizing strategies to drive customer engagement, brand awareness, and ultimately, sales growth.
IT Consultant · POS / Systems MaintenanceVC
A Master IT Specialist with a reputation for implementing robust solutions within the project’s parameters, goals & timelines. An out-of-the-box and holistic thinker with over 30 years of experience, from developing large broadband systems integration to on-site IT Event Manager for Spartan Iron Man events.
Operations / Logistics ManagerVC
Capable of multi-tasking efficiently and effectively with great people skills stemming from a degree as a Mental Health Specialist to Economic Development. Strong problem solving, team building and managerial skills with 18 years of experience.
Reservation / Tour · Check-in / out ManagerVC
Plays a crucial role in ensuring a seamless and positive guest experience from initial booking to departure — overseeing the reservations department, ensuring efficient booking procedures, maximizing occupancy, and maintaining high standards of customer service.
Housekeeping ManagerVC
Over 35 years of experience in housekeeping services as Assistant Manager and Manager with top-rated hotels and lodges in Alaska. Versed in organizing, scheduling & managing her team with high customer service satisfaction.
Campground Wildlife Safety RangerVC
Bringing 20+ years of experience as an ex National Park Ranger — ensuring the safety of campers and visitors by monitoring, managing, and mitigating potential encounters with wildlife, particularly bears and moose, common to the region.
Grounds Keeper · Maintenance ManagerVC
Bringing a lifetime of building experience — an ex Construction Manager for a reputable international non-profit organization for over 35 years. A dynamic communicator and energetic leader well suited to oversee and lead his team.
C-Store ManagerVC
Experienced with overseeing the day-to-day operations of a convenience store, ensuring efficient functioning, maximizing sales, and providing excellent customer service.
Café / Food ManagerVC
Founder/Owner/Chef of a successful healthy meal prep business in Southern California for the past 9 years, servicing and delivering up to 2,000 meals per week. This hard-working entrepreneur would like to expand her skills and expertise to Alaska and the ARK@Denali Resort.
Gift Shop / Gallery ManagerVC
Recently left her career in the luxury jewelry industry as a top-tier sales and merchandising associate. She loves the outdoors, is organized, and brings a lifetime of leadership and organizational skills to everything she does.
Medic Station · EMT / ParamedicTBD
Responsible for providing emergency medical care, first aid, and health-related support to guests, visitors, and staff — plus proactive safety monitoring, emergency preparedness, and assisting with campground safety policies.
Operations team
Creating life-long jobs, not seasonal ones
By opening year-round, The ARK will create approximately 36 permanent jobs in Phase 1. The Founder / CEO lives onsite, with an advisory board meeting quarterly, a council of all managers twice monthly, and all staff weekly.
Corporate & support
Operations
Retail & guest services
Advisory board
Experienced counsel
Byron K. Reed
Senior VP, Momentus Capital
Ed Zenner
Real Estate & Investment Consultant
James & Karen Mayes
Business & Financial Advisors
Jeff Schultz
Founder/Owner, Jeff Schultz Photography & Alaska Stock Images
Ray Atwood
Business Development/Operations/CEO, Azachorok, Inc.
Rick Littlefield
Founder/CEO, Eureka Natural Foods
Robert Shields
Founder/Exec Dir, The Alliance for Reason and Knowledge
Sandra Kraeger
Real Estate Professional, Entrepreneur, Investor, RV Park Owner
Scott Jewell
Pilot, Builder, Owner/Operator of Hatcher Pass RV & Cabins