Jonathon Ross is the son of Linda Ross (Mann) who is Yaghanen Ht’ana Dena’ina from Kahtnu Qayeh (Kenai, Alaska) and Alan Ross who is Scottish Gasht’ana from Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC). Jonathon grew up in Kenai, Prince George, BC, and Kodiak. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and counseling from Toccoa Falls College (Georgia) and a master’s degree in business administration from University of Alaska Anchorage. Formerly a commercial fisher in the Aleutians, Jonathon has worked with Alaska Native healthcare in Anchorage at Southcentral Foundation and later served as president and CEO at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Jonathon is married to Leanndra (Bergeron) who is Eagle Killerwhale Clan (Tlingit) from southeast Alaska, and they live in Peter’s Creek/Chugiak north of Anchorage. They have four grown daughters. He has taught language and culture for the Salamatof Tribe in Kenia and enjoys sharing the Dena’ina language and culture with others. Jonathon has been involved in tribal leadership for the past 20 years; he has a passion for Tika’a, the ocean, and Alaska Quht’ana, the local people. In his new position as Director of Arctic Indigenous-led Conservation, Jonathon works with Indigenous peoples to hear and understand their priorities and to support their goals for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.