Colleen File is a staff analyst with Northern Economics, Inc. and does research and analysis for a variety of projects. Prior to joining Northern Economics, she worked as a Marketing and Events coordinator at HooDoo Brewing Company in Fairbanks, Alaska. Colleen holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Psychology minor from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which she completed with a 4.0 GPA while representing the university in intercollegiate athletics. Colleen also has nearly completed her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in General Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Colleen moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2019 from the Seattle area after getting recruited to play volleyball for the University of Alaska. After completing her undergraduate degree, she took time to travel prior to starting other full-time work in 2022. She joined Northern Economics in 2023.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest instilled an appreciation of the outdoors in Colleen. She is the happiest when she is doing something active outdoors, especially when it includes a touch of adrenaline. Some of her favorite activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, beach volleyball, and mountain biking.
Colleen’s answers to life’s more important questions:
Great Escape: Summer of 2022, I spent travelling and had the ultimate summer of adventure. It began with a one-month trip to Europe, where I stayed with one of my former teammates from Germany. We spent time in her hometown of Berlin and traveled across Europe. I spent time in Paris, Barcelona, Tossa De Mar (small town on the Mediterranean), Munich, and the Dolomites. The highlight of the trip was backpacking in the Dolomites with her grandpa. After returning to the United States, I spent a couple of weeks in Washington, then continued my summer of adventure. I spent a little over a month in Hawaii, with the same friend. She had moved there and had an extra spot in her house for the summer, so I jumped on the chance to go. It was a house with other student athletes, and I was the only American living in the house. Fortunately, I enjoy long walks- since my only mode of transportation was my own two feet and my bike share membership. I still think back to the summer of 2022 as one of the best periods of my life.
Curious about: How to get a ride along in a fighter jet without joining the military? I would love to be sitting in the rear seat- like Goose from Top Gun- but with no responsibility except to enjoy the flight.
Why Alaska (or Washington, or Northern Economics): The Pacific Northwest offers some of the most striking landscapes, both for natural beauty and for outdoor adventure. The Pacific Northwest is one of few places where I can do all my favorite activities without having to travel to multiple destinations. One of my favorite things about Alaska is how much of the state is still untouched where its natural beauty can be appreciated.
Idea of fun: Downhill skiing somewhere with good steep terrain and a foot or two of fresh snow with at least one of my favorite ski buddies.
Dream Vacation: In no specific order, some of my dream travel destinations include Tahiti, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Japan, and New Zealand.