Chelsea Ray Riekkola was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She graduated from Dimond High School in 2006 and received an athletic scholarship to Missouri State University, where she was a member of the NCAA Division I swimming and diving team. She matriculated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Chelsea received her J.D. from the University of Oregon, focusing her studies on estate planning and probate law. While in law school, Chelsea also wrote and published an article for the American Bar Association Journal of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law on handling digital assets after death.

In 2013, Chelsea returned to Alaska as a clerk for Judge Patrick McKay of the Anchorage Superior Court. She also became involved in a number of community organizations including the Anchorage Bar Association, where she previously served as President of the Young Lawyers Section. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Anchorage Association of Women Lawyers, and as an Executive Committee Member of the Estate Planning Section of the Alaska Bar Association. Chelsea is also a member of the Anchorage Estate Planning Council, WealthCounsel, and YWCA of Alaska.

Chelsea has a passion for the outdoors that is not limited by season; she enjoys trail running, gardening, hiking, and skiing. Chelsea is the daughter of Superior Court Judge Chuck Ray and Mrs. Jenny Ray. She is married to attorney Brian J. Riekkola.