09/03/2026
Meet Jaeleen Kookesh, one of the Healing Hand Foundation's newest members of the Board of Directors.
Jaeleen currently serves as Senior Counsel at Van Ness Feldman, where she represents Tribal governments, Native organizations, and businesses on legislative, regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters. Before joining the firm, she spent 15 years at Sealaska Corporation, serving as Corporate Secretary and Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs.
She has also dedicated countless hours to serving Alaska through board leadership, including with the Alaska Federation of Natives, the ANCSA Regional Association, the Resource Development Council, Southeast Conference, and The Foraker Group.
Raised in Angoon, Jaeleen is from the L'eeneidí (Dog Salmon) Central House. She earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor with a concentration in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Jaeleen has spent her career advocating for Alaska Native communities through law, policy, and leadership. Her experience, thoughtful perspective, and deep relationships across the state will be an incredible asset as the Healing Hand Foundation continues to advance its mission across Southeast Alaska.
