Our Educators
State Program Coordinator
Izdorek, Helen
907-474-7930
907-474-5139 FAX
Extension State Office
308 Tanana Loop
PO Box 756180
Fairbanks, AK 99775-6180
Helen Idzorek began with Cooperative Extension in 2005 as a nutrition educator in Juneau and later transferred to the Tanana District office in Fairbanks. Currently she coordinates the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) statewide. Her background is in cultural anthropology with a focus on food security and hunger. She says, “Coordinating FNP allows me to see the real difference our nutrition educators make across the state in the lives of Alaskans.” In addition to her work with CES, Helen is pursuing her doctorate on the subject of coping strategies of food-insecure households in Fairbanks. In her spare time she enjoys canoeing, cross-country skiing, cooking, gardening and exploring Alaska.
FNP nutrition educators listed alphabetically
Anderson, Katherine
907-786-6329
1675 C Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501-5153
Kat Anderson is a life-long Alaskan who joined the Cooperative Extension in Anchorage as a Nutrition Educator in 2012. She has strong personal interest in nutrition and food budgeting. Kat enjoys sharing how to eat well on a limited income with adults and seniors in the community.
Benson, Winona
907-745-3423
907-745-5479 FAX
Extension Mat-Su/Copper River District Office
809 Chugach St, Suite 2
Palmer, AK 99645
Winona Benson has worked as a nutrition educator in Palmer since December 2009. She enjoys the diversity of people she has the privilege of working with while teaching healthy lifestyle skills. She can often be found teaching healthy cooking lessons, teaching school-age children nutrition lessons and 'sharing the tools of the trade' on how to save money while eating well. Winona enjoys her job and the chance to bring such an important message to her community!
Campbell, Heather
907-786-6329
907-786-6312 FAX
Extension Anchorage District Office
1675 C St, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
Heather Campbell moved from Hawaii to Alaska in 2004. After working with the Boys & Girls Clubs for 23 years, she came to Extension to serve as a nutrition educator, and works with both youth groups and adult clients in the Anchorage and Eagle River areas. Heather has a bachelor's of science degree from Arizona State University and a post baccalaureate certificate from the University of Phoenix. She is also a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist practicing in Eagle River.
MacDonald, Donna
907-786-6329
907-786-6312 FAX
Extension Anchorage District Office
1675 C St, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
Donna MacDonald began her career with the University of Alaska in 1982. Because of her strong personal interest in nutrition education, and her background in teaching and communicating with others, she was led to begin her career as an educator with the nutrition education program in 2008.
Her current education focus is on the food guide pyramid, MyPlate, dietary guidelines, and menu planning and food safety. Her primary interest is in the effectiveness of the program to improve the well-being of individuals of all ages. She enjoys teaching individuals from various cultural backgrounds. Not only does Donna embrace the backgrounds and nutritional differences of those she teaches, but she is inspired by and learns from them as well.
As a nutrition educator, Donna has had an opportunity to incorporate all of her past career passions, specifically teaching, cooking and nutrition education, which she finds extremely fulfilling. She continues to find ways to make learning about nutrition fun and exciting so that it will become a lifestyle that people of all ages and backgrounds can comfortably incorporate into daily living.
Munsell, Marsha
907-474-1530
907-474-6885 FAX
Extension Tanana District Office
724 27th Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Marsha Munsell has been a member of the FNP team since 1991. Starting as a part time nutrition educator, she was able to move to full time and do what she loves best – helping people help themselves. She loves interacting with kids in cooking classes, schools and special groups. Helping people improve their lives through knowledge and sharing cooking skills is what keeps Marsha going. Marsha is also a 4-H Teen Club advisor and loves working with 4-H groups when she can. For one month of the year she runs the Kids Cooking Camps for UAF Summer Sessions. When not advocating for Cooperative Extension, Marsha teaches yoga, herb classes, volunteers at the Georgeson Botanical Gardens, does karate and loves the outdoors.