Pemberton brings storytelling and policy expertise to ACEP
Jennifer Pemberton is the research and policy outreach coordinator for ACEP’s Energy Policy and Innovation Center.
March 12, 2026
By Yuri Bult-Ito
Jennifer Pemberton’s passion for storytelling and policy research intersects at ACEP, where she plays a key role in shaping how Alaska’s energy policies are communicated.
“I look forward to seeing what expert information we can share with the Alaska Legislature to inform state policies this year,” Pemberton said recently.
Joining ACEP in September as the research and policy outreach coordinator for ACEP’s Energy Policy and Innovation Center, Pemberton believes she has found the perfect place to apply her unique skill set.
Her role is twofold. She manages ACEP’s contract with the Alaska Legislature’s Office of Budget and Audit, working closely with both internal and external stakeholders to help policymakers evaluate critical policy decisions. She also produces audio stories, collaborating with Gwen Holdmann on the award-winning energy podcast Closing the Gap and developing additional outreach and instructional projects.
Pemberton’s diverse background — from creative writing to international business to journalism — has shaped her ability to bridge complex ideas with engaging narratives. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Alabama, an MS in economics specializing in international brand management from Lund University in Sweden and has a professional history spanning the travel industry, journalism and policy research.
Jennifer Pemberton conducts an interview for an episode of Cruise Town in front of Juneau's whale statue called Tahku.
Before joining ACEP, Pemberton worked as a reporter on a year-long project on water issues in Utah, then moved to Juneau to serve as the managing editor of Alaska’s Energy Desk based at KTOO Public Media. In that role, she collaborated with public media stations statewide to deliver in-depth energy and environmental stories. She also held a leadership position as vice president for news at KTOO, and, most recently, worked with the Alaska State Legislature’s nonpartisan research office, providing policymakers with clear, rigorous analysis on complex issues.
At ACEP, Pemberton combines her love for storytelling and policy research, crafting narratives that resonate with both general audiences and key decision makers.
“Jennifer brings insight, creativity and resilience to every project she touches,” said Holdmann. “She has an effortless authenticity that elevates both her storytelling and her research.”
In addition to Closing the Gap, Pemberton has created and produced several award-winning podcasts, including “Midnight Oil” and “Cruise Town.” Her written work — poems, essays and news stories — has been featured in journals, magazines and on NPR’s All Things Considered and Here & Now as well as on local radio stations across the country.
Outside of work, Pemberton enjoys hiking, berry picking, wildlife and wildflower viewing, ocean dipping and learning the Lingít language, volunteering at local elections and exploring ballet as part of her recovery from a brain injury. An experienced science communication coach, Pemberton enjoys helping subject matter experts share their research creatively with the public and policymakers.
Pemberton lives in Lingít Aaní, “land of the Tlingit,” or Juneau, Alaska.