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.

About Northern Compass Group

Team Members

Mandy Magnusen
Mandy Magnusen

Mark Begich

Mark Begich is the President and CEO of Northern Compass Group LLC. A businessman since age 14 and a public servant with decades of experience, Begich has built an impressive record of accomplishments on some of the most complicated and important issues such as fisheries, travel & tourism, transportation, resource development, tribal and Alaska Native interests, the Arctic, education, veterans, commerce, housing and more.

During his tenure as U.S. Senator for Alaska, Mark Begich earned the reputation of a hard-working, pragmatic problem-solver who was willing to work across party lines to get things done. Defying party labels and drawing daily on his business background, Begich broke down bureaucratic barriers to get things done.

Quickly rising to leadership positions, Begich chaired both the Steering and Outreach Committee and the Oceans Subcommittee. He also served on other influential committees including Appropriations, Commerce, Veterans, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Armed Services, and Indian Affairs.

In addition, Begich was appointed to the President’s Export Council, the national advisory board to the White House on important export and trade policy. Begich was also named Chair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Inter-parliamentary Group aimed at improving trade relations between the U.S. and China.

Prior to serving in the Senate, Begich was the Mayor of Anchorage for six years and served on the Anchorage Assembly for ten years.

Begich is married to Anchorage businesswoman Deborah Bonito, president and owner of Sourdough Mercantile Inc. and several other small businesses.  Their son, Jacob, currently attends college at Georgetown University.

 

 

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 Northern Compass Group as Vice President for Strategic Communications and Business Development.

Rachel worked on political campaigns and in the federal government for more than a decade before joining NCG. She 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.

Rachel also served as Senior Communications Advisor for Terry McAuliffe’s successful run for Virginia Governor and was a member of Vice President Biden’s Debate Prep Team for the 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 with her family.

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

Katy Suddock Cook

Katy Suddock Cook is a Business & Policy Consultant for Northern Compass Group. She was born and raised in Anchorage and has a background in real estate and project management. Katy has an entrepreneurial spirit and an attention for detail that makes her highly effective at executing strategy and managing development projects from start to finish.

Katy attended Colorado College and the University of Oregon, graduating with a B.S. in Political Science and Business Administration. She enjoys downhill skiing and traveling with her husband and two daughters.

Katy can be reached at katy@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

Mark Begich Keeps Busy, and Keeps His Options Open

Mark Begich is not in the Senate anymore, but he is keeping busy working on policy issues close to his, and his home state of Alaska’s, heart. “If you were traveling with us in rural Alaska this week you might not have differentiated it from work versus me being in...

Brownstein Hyatt Enjoys Growth Year, Hires Former Senator

Former Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, joins the firm as a strategic adviser. The Denver-based firm's gross revenue and net income grew by more than 10 percent last year, and the lobbying operation inched into the top three among K Street firms in the new year. Brownstein...

Native American rights law firm gives grants for tribal health care

A Native American law firm with a sizable Alaska presence announced Tuesday it is launching a $3.5 million charitable program to support tribal health care. The first grants from Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry amount to $1.5 million and will go to five...

Former Sen. Begich Joins Sonosky Chambers As Native Policy Advisor

Former Sen. Mark Begich was recently announced as a policy advisor on Native American affairs for the Washington, D.C. based law firm of Sonosky Chambers Sachse Miller & Munson LLP. The announcement was made by the full-service firm devoted to representing Native...

Begich announces creation of new consulting firm

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich has announced creation of a new consulting firm, with a health care trade organization and an Alaska-based airline among his first clients. The Alaska Dispatch News reports the Alaska Democrat announced Saturday that he has founded...

Contact Us

Northern Compass Group

445 E 5th Avenue, Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone: (907) 206-4808
Fax: (907) 206-5152

445 E 5th Avenue, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99501