Northern Compass Group LLC, led by businessman and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, is a full-service consulting firm that helps clients develop tailored, strategic plans to achieve sustainable solutions for even the most daunting business challenges. Our team’s diverse expertise in business, public policy and getting things done delivers results that will last.
Using proven strategies driven by the Begich approach of bringing stakeholders together, we are committed to creating a realistic road map that gets our clients where they want to go.
Team Members










Mark Begich
Mark Begich is the president and CEO of Northern Compass Group, LLC. Over the last 40 years as a businessman, he has been an entrepreneur, CEO and led creative startups. Mr. Begich is experienced in commercial and residential real-estate, retail sales, travel & tourism, business consulting, mergers & acquisitions of public utilities and privately held companies, corporate restructuring, business turnarounds, vending and distribution, capital-raising, joint ventures and equity investing.
In addition to his long career in the private sector, Begich has dedicated several decades of his life to public service. He served in the United States Senate from 2009 to 2014 for the 111th, 112th and 113th Congresses. Before that, he served as mayor of Anchorage, Alaska from 2003-2007 and spent ten years as an elected member of the Anchorage Assembly.
Over the course of his career, Begich has worked on key issues related to telecommunications, Arctic policy, technology, the U.S. military, transportation, tribal affairs, fisheries, infrastructure, labor & workforce development, education, natural resource development, veterans’ affairs, housing, business development and economic growth.
Begich is married to Anchorage businesswoman Deborah Bonito, president and owner of Sourdough Mercantile Inc. and several other small businesses. Their son, Jacob is currently in high school.
Schawna Thoma
Schawna Thoma joins Northern Compass Group LLC as Vice President. Most recently, she worked as State Director for U.S. Senator Mark Begich in his Anchorage office.
Schawna worked on policy and legislation in the areas of aviation, transportation infrastructure, travel and tourism, fisheries, public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Schawna also served under Mayor Mark Begich from 2003-2008 as Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development for the Municipality of Anchorage, where she worked on a variety of major economic development projects including the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, museum expansion and downtown redevelopment.
Schawna spent five years as Chief of Staff for Senator Johnny Ellis in the Alaska State Legislature and has served as campaign manager and field director on many political campaigns.
She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a B.S. in Public Law & Government and Journalism. Schawna is married to Michael Powell, PhD and lives in Anchorage, AK, where she enjoys skiing and hiking in the Alaskan wilderness.
Schawna can be reached at schawnathoma@northerncompassgroup.com
Rachel Barinbaum
Rachel Barinbaum joins the Northern Compass Group as Vice President for Strategic Communications and Business Development.
Most recently, Rachel served as Communications Director in the Washington, D.C. office for Senator Mark Begich where she managed the Senator’s overall communications strategy both at home in Alaska and in Washington.
In 2013, Rachel served as Senior Communications Advisor for Terry McAuliffe’s successful run for Virginia Governor. The Washington Post later named McAuliffe’s bid for Governor the “Best Campaign of 2013,” citing message discipline as a key contributing factor to success.
In 2012, Rachel was a member of Vice President Biden’s Debate Prep Team in advance of the highly anticipated Vice Presidential Debate between Vice President Biden and Representative Paul Ryan.
Prior to 2012, Rachel served in communications and research positions for U.S. Senator Jon Tester, U.S. Senator Max Baucus, and within the Administration at the Department of Treasury.
Rachel is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lives in Anchorage, Alaska.
Rachel can be reached at Rachel@northerncompassgroup.com
Clare Boersma
Clare Boersma Executive Manager and Project Liaison is at the core of Northern Compass Group operations, working with clients in diverse sectors, managing office functions and making sure the CEO is where he is supposed to be. Known for inventing creative solutions to any obstacle, Clare brings to Northern Compass Group an eye for detail and organization, and a talent for getting to the heart of the matter.
Before joining Northern Compass Group, Clare served in the office of U.S. Senator Mark Begich, where she corralled visiting VIPs, counseled constituents on the realities of federal funding, and managed in-state events ranging from large-scale conferences to community town halls.
Born and raised in Anchorage, Clare is a UAA graduate and a member of Rogers Park Community Council. She enjoys the challenge of baking new and different birthday cakes for her large extended family, knows how to knit a sock, and can dance an Irish jig.
Clare can be reached at Clare@northerncompassgroup.com
Marilyn Alvarenga – Gaxiola
Marilyn Alvarenga is our Marketing Director & Associate Consultant at Northern Compass Group. LLC.
Marilyn provides internal and external support for a company’s communications department. Her focus at NCG is to work with clients deals with graphic design, grow their websites, social media presences, and improve their Search Engine Optimization, content strategies and integrated marketing plans.
She previously served as the Hispanic and Latino Director for Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich’s 2014 U.S. Senate reelection campaign, where she interacted one-on-one with Hispanic Alaskan voters across the state to register and get-out-the-vote.
Outside of the office Marilyn is heavily involved in the Anchorage community. President of Pulse Dance Company a nonprofit dance performance company, and chairs the Anchorage Arts Advisory Board, and Alaska Humanities Forum: Leadership Anchorage Advisory Board. She is a proud Alaskan who is an alum of East Anchorage High School, and a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage with a B. A. in International Studies.
Marilyn can be reached at Marilyn@northerncompassgroup.com
What We Do
An Alaska Perspective
As Mark Begich likes to say, “If we can make it work in Alaska, it can work anywhere.” In a state more than twice the size of Texas and with 80% of communities off the road system, Alaska truly is unique. As a result, the team at Northern Compass Group has unmatched experience when it comes to overcoming the toughest hurdles. It is that relentless commitment to solving even the most daunting challenges that we bring to all our clients.
Business Consulting
Northern Compass Group helps companies, organizations, and associations achieve their goals. Our hands-on approach is more than just telling a client what they need to do to move forward, we develop a plan for how to get there. From structural assessments to improving organization and communication, our team helps create and implement a realistic, comprehensive road map that delivers results built to last.
Crisis Management
We know everyone does their best to anticipate and avoid crises, but sometimes even the most well-run organizations find themselves in need of crisis management. With decades of experience in both business and political environments, the Northern Compass Group team are seasoned experts in assessing the crisis situation, determining necessary responses, and quickly implementing a strategy that puts clients in control of their own message.
Strategic Communications
Every organization—business or political—needs an effective communications strategy. With a proven record of developing and implementing strategic communication plans in the business, political, and government environments, Northern Compass Group helps clients not only develop an effective message, but also lay out a sophisticated plan to reach their target audience.
Indigenous & Tribal Relations
Northern Compass Group utilizes its professional networks across Indian Country to bring shareholders together and move projects and communities forward. With decades of experience not only fighting for but also winning key battles advocating for Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native nonprofits on issues like subsistence rights, Indian Law and policy, education, rural/village issues, and tribal rights, Northern Compass Group knows how to tackle tough bureaucratic issues and deliver results that will last.
Political Consulting
Building on Mark Begich’s experience and expertise throughout his more than twenty years in campaigns and public office, Northern Compass Group brings a wide range of experience in elected politics both in Alaska and the Lower 48. From identifying stakeholders to organizing communities and communicating a simple, key message, Northern Compass Group helps keep our clients focused on the most important goal: winning.
In the News
‘You have to win some of these red states’: Why moderate Democrats can’t be ignored
THE SOURCE: The Washington Post After losing a presidential election it thought it had in the bag, the Democratic Party is still very much in soul-searching mode. While progressive members of the party have been extremely vocal that the party should shift to the left,...
Centrist Democrats struggle to draft a survival strategy
SOURCE: Star-Telegram WASHINGTON - It was a secret meeting about an existential crisis. Gathered behind closed doors in a Denver hotel, 30 conservative Democrats plotted a potential path forward for their party – an effort to devise a strategy that might help them...
The future of the Arctic
SOURCE: The Hill During my time serving in the United States Senate, I witnessed my fair share of partisan rhetoric—especially when it came to Alaska’s energy potential. While politicians like to use the future of the Arctic as a political hot potato, the truth is...
Mark Begich named Vice-Chairman of DOT Travel and Tourism Infrastructure Advisory Committee
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces Membership of Travel and Tourism Infrastructure Advisory Committee SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation Washington – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the members of the new...
Begich hosts DC Roundtable
Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich hosted a DC roundtable panel along with polling experts on the election. They spoke about polling methods and the current US political environment today.
There is great responsibility being in the minority
SOURCE: The Hill During my time in the Senate, it didn’t take me long to realize that there are two types of people in Washington. There are the “talkers,” who want to deliver the most attention-grabbing quotes and the “doers,” who want to deliver results. Talkers are...
Former Senator Mark Begich, Singer Tony Butala Presented With NFCA Awards at 23rd Annual Assembly of Delegates Meeting at Croatian Embassy
SOURCE: Total Croatia News An important night for the Croatian diaspora in North America on June 11, 2016. TCN's Steve Rukavina reports. NFCA Members and Sarajevo Guests with Former Senator Mark Begich Outside Croatian Embassy in Washington, DC Washington, D.C. --...
Governor should veto Legislature’s budget so they’ll finish the job
Source: Alaska Dispatch News By: Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich Being an elected official is always a great honor, but sometimes it's not fun. And when it comes to solving the budget crisis in Juneau, it is time to make the tough decisions that are necessary, but not...
Keep the promise: Don’t cut veteran education benefits
Source: THE HILL By: Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich and Paul Rieckhoff As cities and towns across America prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, we are once again reminded of the sacrifice of the small minority of men and women who volunteer to put themselves into harm’s...
U.S. needs Arctic oil and gas policy changes
Source: newsminor.com The Voice of Interior Alaska News-Miner Community Perspective: With the price of oil down and news of companies halting their drilling efforts in the Arctic, it is easy to get caught up in what seems to be an ongoing drip of negative headlines...
Contact Us
Northern Compass Group
445 E 5th Avenue, Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99501
Email: info@NorthernCompassGroup.com
Phone: (907) 206-4808
Fax: (907) 206-5152