About Me

Betsy Larson, M.Ed.

Principal Consultant

My life was forever changed when a hometown neighbor gifted me a space at a two-week summer camp, awakening a deep sense of belonging. That experience opened a pathway to an early career in experiential and environmental education, where learning happens through doing, reflection, and relationship. That “campy” spirit still shapes my work. I value hands-on participation, designing experiences that invite people in, and embracing curiosity, creativity, and adaptability as essential tools.

Over time, my focus has shifted toward facilitating complex systems change, often in contexts where ambiguity is high and relationships matter deeply. Much of this work has been alongside community-based nonprofits, regional partnerships, and philanthropic organizations. Most recently, I served as Senior Director of Community Partnerships at Mat-Su Health Foundation, where I led the R.O.C.K. Mat-Su (Raising Our Children with Kindness) collective and the Community Engagement department. 

I hold a Master of Education in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University. My practice is also informed by an array of professional trainings emphasizing mutual learning, a learning organization mindset, and the importance of listening deeply to those most impacted by change. 

For the past two decades, I have been rooted in Alaska’s Upper Susitna Valley. I’ve loved watching my “born and raised” Alaskan daughter grow up with a deep sense of community, and recently witnessing my husband find his own place in it. At the heart of my work is a calling to help others grow their own sense of belonging, by nurturing a sense of wonder and a sense of place.