GBH Press Release

Yatibaey Evans of Mentasta, Creative Producer for GBH’s award-winning series, Molly of Denali, was selected as the 2023 Margret and Hans Rey Fellow by Boston public media producer GBH this December. She was one of three producers selected for fellowships this year.

Made possible through the bequest from author Margret Rey through the Curious George Foundation, this fellowship recognizes GBH creators who work in areas reflecting Rey’s broad interests, including science, public affairs, art, health and children’s programming.

“From ensuring that our children’s programming remains an educational and innovative facet of our institution to creating world-renowned science and technology media that demystifies the concepts that define our lives, these three producers have gone above and beyond to expand the possibilities of public media,” said GBH President and CEO Jon Abbott. “I’m proud that GBH continues to celebrate the ingenuity of its talent and to acknowledge the quality content produced across various platforms.”

From 2011-2021, Evans led the Alaska Native Education (ANE) program, which aims to meet the unique educational needs of Alaska Natives. She has been awarded the Champion For Kids Award from the Alaska Children’s Trust for her dedication and commitment to working to ensure that children and youth are living in safe, supportive and nurturing communities.

Evans also earned the Friend of Education Award from the Fairbanks Education Association for her significant work to benefit public education, education employees, and students. Evans is the past president of the United Way of the Tanana Valley and past chair of the ANE Parent Advisory Committee.

In 2017, Evans was recognized as one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40. Additionally, she has served on the University of Alaska’s Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Native Education, Governor Bill Walker’s “Alaska’s Education Challenge,” chaired the Human Resources committee for the National Congress of American Indians and was the first Alaska Native president of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA).

Evans is from Mentasta, Alaska and is part of the Ahtna culture, stewards of the Copper River region. She has four sons ranging from ages nine to twenty-one. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University.

Another producer involved with Molly of Denali received a GBH fellowship this year. Elizabeth (Biz) Thorsen of Cumberland, Rhode Island received the Becton Fellowship.

Among other duties, Thorsen currently manages the development and production needs for Molly of Denali.