She arrived in Alaska (expecting to be here for two years!) in 1976 at the Department of Interior and worked there for the Bureau of Land Management which became the Minerals Management Service and then the National Park Service until retirement in 2008. The positions she held solidified her affinity for public lands, their stewardship, and the importance of government and public service.

Sometimes the sole female leader in many programs, she used her position to mentor and support other women. She encouraged women to pursue leadership roles and provided them with opportunities to excel. Her proactive approach in promoting gender equity included personalized mentorship, creating professional development opportunities, and advocating for the inclusion of women in decision-making processes. Caminer’s ability to inspire and uplift women has left a lasting impact on many individuals across various organizations.

For nearly 5 decades she has made significant contributions to environmental conservation and community programs in Alaska through her professional career and volunteer activities.
Her comprehensive impact across multiple sectors and her unwavering support for women’s advancement solidify her as a true trailblazer in the State of Alaska. She received a number of awards and recognition during her career.

In 1994 she was appointed the Alaska Director at Minerals Management Service and was given the challenging task to downsize the region, which she tried to do in a humane way. She was instrumental in integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into Environmental Impact Statements. This was a groundbreaking approach that has helped inform environmental policy in Alaska. She is also proud that EISs produced during her tenure were upheld by the courts after being challenged.

She later transferred to the National Park Service as an Associate Regional Director. Her role on the Federal Subsistence Board provided for the subsistence priority of rural residents. In all her jobs, she traveled to many rural communities seeing and learning first hand, appreciating how federal decisions affected peoples’ everyday lives.

With several reorganizations at NPS, she had management responsibilities at times for the Education and Interpretation program, the Shared Beringia Heritage Program, International Activities, coordinating with the State of Alaska, Natural and Cultural Resources, Subsistence Management, the Alaska Public Lands Center and the Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program. She introduced the idea of partnerships and “Friends” groups for parks.

Caminer engaged in international activities, including participating in the Arctic Council and in an interagency advisory trip to Greenland on increasing tourism through park activities. She initiated a staff exchange program between Australia park officials and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and later Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and facilitated a sister park relationship.

Inspired by Esther Wunnicke’s leadership style (who was inducted into the AKHOF), she mentored many men and women who went on to their own accomplishments. Caminer believes in public service and encouraged others to pursue the field as well.

She had several volunteer roles before retiring including being on her Road Service Area Board, the Common Ground Board of Directors and her synagogue Board of Trustees.

After retiring, her volunteer activities began in earnest. Caminer is a strong advocate for improved public access to the Chugach State Park. She was appointed to the Chugach State Park Citizen’s Advisory Board and became the Chair after a few years.

One of her major volunteer undertakings was to help create the Chugach Park Fund in 2016, which enables community members to donate to improve trails in Chugach State Park. Rather than start another Alaska nonprofit, she helped establish the fund at Alaska Community Foundation and serves in a leadership role to generate awareness and raise significant funds for trail improvements, interpretive signs and improved access. More than $700,000 has been raised to date for major projects such as Little O’Malley, Rabbit Lakes, South Fork Eagle River Trail, Hidden Lake and Williwaw Lakes Trail reconstruction, as well as many smaller projects accomplished by volunteers from the community.

Her skills include planning, coordination and working closely with the team of volunteers and Alaska Trails to undertake the trail work. Visitation at Chugach State Park has increased since the pandemic and is estimated to be 1.5 million visitors annually. Making trails safer and sustainable helps users of all ages enjoy their time in the park.

Caminer took on the role of volunteer Executive Director as part of a litigation effort to restore access to a long-used trail leading to the park that had been illegally closed by new landowners. The suit was successful and the public is once again able to reach the park and beautiful surroundings.
She coordinated fundraisers for her synagogue, honoring Alaskans who have helped “repair the world”, became a tour guide at the Alaska Zoo, and continued her involvement with the Federal Subsistence Program. She was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to be on the Southcentral Subsistence Advisory Boards Council. Volunteering since 2009, she has served as the Vice Chair as well as Secretary. She sometimes represents the Council at Federal Board meetings. To stay in touch with rural communities, she has volunteered to help people prepare their income tax returns in their communities.

She financially supports many non profits consistent with her values including the National Parks Conservation Association, Great Land Trust, Trustees for Alaska, ACLU, AK Media, Planned Parenthood, Friends of the Stewart Public Trail, Chugach Park Fund and many others. She began a scholarship at UAA for students studying Public Administration, fostering the next generation of public servants.

She has a deep appreciation for her key mentors, her mother, aunt, and several supervisors.These role models taught her the importance of meeting new people, listening, and demonstrating compassion and care towards staff and the public. Caminer has mentored many colleagues, friends and children of friends encouraging their education and careers by providing guidance, recommendations and connections within her personal network. She is organized and persistent, which helps accomplish projects.

She “didn’t get here alone” and is grateful to her home team of Roger and Duncan, plus family and many friends.