Janet McCabe joined Alaska Common Ground’s board more than 20 years ago. At our Annual Meeting in May 2026, we were delighted to honor her as an emeritus board member. Janet has been tireless in her efforts to empower Alaskans with the knowledge we need to engage in important issues affecting our state. Her dedication to ACG’s mission and to the betterment of Alaska is substantial.
Professionally, Janet made her mark on Alaska through her distinguished career as a planner. In 1960, she became Planning Director for the Fairbanks Planning Commission. She was Staff Planner for the Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission that guided the creation of Alaska’s National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). She then went on to work for the National Park Service where her responsibilities included acquisition of Kennecott Mine in Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
As a volunteer, Janet has been especially concerned with state fiscal issues and “smart justice”. In 1999, she and Judge James Wanamaker formed Partners for Progress to reduce unnecessary incarceration. With Anchorage Municipal Prosecutor, John Richard, they established the Anchorage Wellness Court—Alaska’s first therapeutic court. Under her leadership as Board Chair, Partners started a Reentry Center to provide supportive services to individuals leaving prison. For these efforts she was awarded the 2014 Jay Rabinowitz Public Service Award by the Alaska Bar Association.
Janet was skilled at leveraging the synergy between ACG and Partners and spearheaded numerous joint events. These efforts eventually led to bipartisan state legislation that made positive and cost-effective reforms to Alaska’s criminal justice system.
Over the years, in her capacity on the ACG Board, Janet drafted numerous op-ed pieces in the Anchorage Daily News on the state’s fiscal situation and other important issues. When submitting personal op-eds—she always proudly noted she was an ACG board member. Janet’s belief that sound public policy relies on an informed and engaged citizenry has positively impacted Alaska and countless Alaskans; her mark on ACG’s mission and our state is indelible.