Congrats, Jenny Loudon, MPA, AKEDA Co-Founder!

A YWCA Women of Achievement Inductee

This week AKEDA co-founder and board chair Jenny Loudon was honored as a 2025 YWCA Alaska Women of Achievement awardee at their annual awards luncheon. YWCA's celebratory annual event acknowledges the exceptional leadership of women in Alaska. We couldn't be more inspired! 

Jenny joins a cohort of 10 incredible women who've demonstrated personal and professional leadership and service to the community - embodying YWCA Alaska’s mission to empower women, eliminate racism, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

We are continually proud of Jenny, who grounded equity and inclusion as core organizational principles for AKEDA: “Eating disorders don’t discriminate, and neither do we.” Jenny dedicated more than two decades to strengthening Alaska’s nonprofit and health systems before co-founding AKEDA. Her work has impacted thousands, her leadership has shaped a statewide movement, and her example has empowered women and families across Alaska to seek hope and healing.

"Jenny leads with heart and purpose. It's contagious! Her commitment to equity in eating disorder care is expert and unwavering. I'm continually inspired by how she saw the bias and gaps in healthcare systems - especially for women and communities of color - and chose to act and create AKEDA. Jenny challenges each of us to face the hard truths and to build something better, together. Real hope and healing begins with representation, equity and respect." - Jess Rude, Executive Director

Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to Jenny, for inspiring us through your leadership and dedication to making Alaska a better place for everyone.

Clockwise from left to right: Katie Bell, Sharon Smith, Honored Woman of Achievement Jenny Loudon, Mary Rosenfield, Beth Rose, Jess Rude, Julie Varee, Laurel Renkert, Mary Rosenfield.