Carla Beam was appointed the vice president for university relations by President Pat Gamble in 2011. Beam also serves as the president of the UA Foundation, a separate non-profit organization that solicits, manages and invests donations for the benefit of the university.   As vice president for university relations at the system office, Beam oversees public affairs, government relations and the overall advancement of the university. Beam’s duties for the foundation are to serve as day-to-day manager of the organization. 

Beam, a 35-year Alaskan, has an extensive resume in corporate, non-profit and community-based public relations.   Most recently, she worked in community and external affairs for BP (Exploration) Alaska Inc. from 1997-2009. She also ran her own public relations firm in Alaska from 1985-1997 and managed public relations for a regional airline from 1980-1985. 

She’s served in leadership roles on numerous boards and committees, including the United Way and Alaska Community Foundation. She was the 2011 recipient of the University of Alaska Anchorage Meritorious Service Award, and has received many awards over the years, including the YWCA’s Outstanding Woman in Philanthropy Award in 2005. In 2009, she received the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Gold Pan Award for Community Service.