Meet The Staff

Cali was born in Fairbanks and raised right here on the Tonglen Lake property. She spent her childhood making play houses in the forest and dressing sled dog puppies up in doll clothes. Cali went to school K-12 at Tri-Valley School in Healy, where she did a “work study” her senior year to complete the Iditarod alongside her father. She left the state to attend university at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon where she met her husband Matt. Together they have spent the last 10+ years living and working overseas and are happy to be back to share the Alaskan summer with their kids Wilder and Hayes.

Jake McGlew grew up in New Jersey, and worked for years in his local Italian market before moving to Philadelphia for school. While earning his degree in media production, he learned from some amazing chefs in the city and was part of opening several restaurants along the East Coast. After a brief visit to Alaska while working for the summer at Sitka Fine Arts Camp, the mountains continued to call him back. Jake then spent a few years working in Anchorage, but has since become a part of the team at Tonglen Lake Lodge, and hasn’t looked back since.

Our front of house manager Kendra has been with us here at Tonglen Lake Lodge for four years. Kendra grew up in Connecticut, and after graduating from Eastern Connecticut University with a degree in Social Work she just can’t sit still and has worked in hospitality at different seasonal jobs all around the U.S. Kendra started with us as our barista and has worked her way up to join our management team. After she had a great first season she returned the following year with her dad, Steven, who you may see walking around handling maintenance for the property. Both Kendra and Steven have been returning to work together at the lodge since! Kendra spends her winters backpacking internationally and comes back for the vibrant Denali summers. Her most recent trip was to New Zealand, volunteering with small businesses and farms. When you see her ask for her favorite hikes nearby!