Dedicated advocate, leader, and community pillar Hazel LeCount has spent over a decade shaping supportive housing and mental health resources in Juneau, Alaska. A proud mother of four and grandmother of thirteen, Hazel moved to Juneau in April of 2013 and soon after found her calling at Polaris House, joining as a member in December of that same year. Her journey embodies a deep, steadfast dedication to community service and empowerment.

Her professional impact at Polaris House began in June 2014. Demonstrating a hands-on commitment to supporting others, Hazel managed the kitchen for eight years while concurrently serving as the Navigator, guiding individuals toward essential community resources, stability, and renewed hope. Her leadership capabilities and genuine passion for advocacy were recognized when she stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director in January 2022, and by July of that same year, she was officially named Executive Director.

Beyond her direct work at Polaris House, Hazel has been a driving force in local civic and non-profit initiatives. She served as Co-Chair of the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness from 2019 to 2026, working tirelessly to address housing insecurity and develop long-term solutions for vulnerable populations. Additionally, she contributed as an active board member for the Eagle River United Methodist Camp from 2021 through 2023. Her exceptional service and leadership were profoundly recognized in 2020 when she was honored as a recipient of the prestigious Women of Distinction award. Hazel LeCount continues to lead Polaris House Inc. with profound compassion, grounded experience, and an unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening the Juneau community.

Dave Ringle has been involved in St. Vincent de Paul since 2018 when he retired after 31 years of teaching. Little did he realize 24 years of teaching middle school at Dzantik’i Heeni would be perfect preparation for his second career.

In February of 2020 Dave stepped off the board of directors to run St. Vincent de Paul. He faced the challenges of COVID, a 2 million dollar deferred maintenance crisis, and the challenge of providing traditional charity in a new climate with new challenges.

St. Vincent de Paul has continued its work of spiritual and material charity through a variety of services. From Thanksgiving and Christmas programs to community navigator and the CARES Sobering Center to the Warming Shelter and 101 units of low income housing, St. Vincent de Paul works with the neediest of our community to help them make their lives better.

Dave Ringle graduated from Marquette University in 1984 and moved to Alaska as a Jesuit Volunteer, teaching in a remote boarding school on the Yukon River. He met and married his wife, Valorie, there. They have been married for 34 years and have four adult children, two of whom live and work in Juneau.