In 2024, the Alaska Small Business Development Center’s Rural Center entered a new chapter under the leadership of Ruth Wolfe. Her appointment as Center Director marked the beginning of a dynamic and productive year. An Alaska Native of Yup’ik heritage with family roots in Nightmute and Perryville, Ruth brings a deep cultural connection to rural Alaska and a vision centered on sustainable, long-term growth.
With a diverse professional background spanning commercial real estate, financial analysis, strategic advising, and marketing, Ruth brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to supporting small businesses. She has a strong understanding of the unique barriers rural entrepreneurs face, particularly when it comes to accessing capital and building resilient operations in remote communities.
Ruth holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with plans to graduate in 2025. Her academic and professional experience shows in her advisory style: empathetic, strategic, and results-driven.
At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to creating lasting opportunities in rural Alaska. Ruth champions community-led, culturally competent business development that supports local decision-making and empowers future generations. Her leadership at the Rural Center reflects this philosophy—balancing data-informed strategy with personalized advising that honors the distinct needs of each client and community.
A Year of Impact
Under Ruth’s leadership, 2024 was a year of measurable growth and momentum for the Rural Center and the entrepreneurs it serves:
- 19 new businesses were launched, up from 13 in 2023 and nearly double the 11 started in 2022.
- 417 jobs were supported, a 60% increase over 2022 and a meaningful rise from 324 in 2023.
- 221 clients were served across 1,324 hours of advising.
- $2.75 million in capital was infused into rural businesses through loans, grants, and equity investments.
This upward trend reflects both renewed entrepreneurial confidence and the personalized support the Rural Center offers, particularly in remote and off-road communities where access to capital and technical assistance can be limited.
“Our advisor, Ruth Wolfe, helped us navigate the business transition smoothly, offering valuable guidance on structuring and managing finances. We couldn’t have done it without her support.”
—Taylor Ashton & Cesar Ramirez, owners of Moose Horn, a featured success story.
Schedule an Appointment with the Rural Team Today
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- Call (907) 786-7201 or email rural@aksbdc.org
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