When a war thousands of miles away becomes personal, what can one person or one community do?
This October, AKWorld brings together Alaskans who have stepped forward to support the people of Ukraine, exploring the many ways our state has responded to a conflict that can sometimes feel distant, yet has profound implications far beyond Europe. Featuring Mark Hayward and Art Davidson, the conversation will highlight personal experiences, community-led initiatives, and the connections that have developed between Alaskans and Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Panelists will share stories from their own experiences and efforts to support Ukraine, offering a firsthand look at what it means to translate concern about an international crisis into meaningful action at home and abroad. The discussion will explore why Alaskans have become involved, what they have learned along the way, and the challenges and rewards of sustaining humanitarian and community support over the course of a prolonged war.
The conversation will also step back to consider the larger picture. What does the war in Ukraine mean for Alaska? How does a conflict in Europe affect Arctic security, global relationships, energy, food security, and the international order? And what can Alaska’s experience tell us about the role that individuals and local communities can play in responding to global crises?
Join us for personal stories, community connections, and a broader conversation about what it means to be an Alaskan in a world increasingly shaped by distant conflicts and interconnected challenges.
About the Speakers
Mark is President of Alaska2Ukraine, a non-profit started in Alaska that includes ordinary heroes from all over the US and from all walks of life. Teachers, healthcare workers, business owners, retirees, all united by a common goal: to provide meaningful support to Ukrainian communities during their most challenging times.
Mark is a former Special Forces team member and US Army veteran with degrees in History, Physician Assistant studies, and a doctorate in law from Liberty University. From 2018 to 2025, he worked with Community Health Aides in rural Alaska Native villages.
After the 2022 invasion, Mark volunteered for Ukraine’s International Foreign Legion and has been working with Ukrainian soldiers, medics, Marines, and volunteer organizations ever since. He is now based in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, and is currently being vetted for adoption by two small Ukrainian cats.
Art Davidson is an Alaska author, conservationist, businessman, and humanitarian whose work has taken him from the mountains and wilderness of Alaska to some of the world’s most challenging humanitarian crises.
A lifelong Alaskan, Davidson helped create Chugach State Park and has been involved in conservation and Indigenous-rights efforts for decades. He is the author of Minus 148: The First Winter Ascent of Mt. McKinley, a classic of mountaineering literature, and Endangered Peoples, which explores the struggles of Indigenous communities around the world.
Davidson’s humanitarian work began during the Iraq War, when he worked with both Shia and Sunni communities to provide relief to children orphaned by the conflict. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he co-founded Assist Ukraine with veteran war correspondent Anne Garrels, Heinz Coordes, and Ukrainian-American advocate Irka Tkaczuk. The Alaska-based organization provides direct humanitarian and lifesaving assistance to people affected by the war, working closely with partners on the ground to identify and respond to urgent needs.
Program Details
- Check-in will begin at 11:30 AM with seating available on a first-come first-serve basis. The program will begin at 12:00 PM.
- Those with online reservations do not need to present ticket confirmation at the door, we will have all confirmed attendees on a list at check-in.
- Online registration closes at 6:00 PM on October 21 or when event sells out.
- Lunch at this program will be available for individual order and purchase from Bear Tooth Theatre.
- We encourage you to place your order in advance by calling Bear Tooth at (907) 276-4200 or by ordering online. If you would like to order in person, please plan to arrive early and note the theatre concession stand is closed – orders must be placed at the take-out counter.