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Anthropology (8)


Misty Frost

BS Anthropology

CEO
CareerStep

Misty’s passion is for building company value though building consumer value. As CEO of CareerStep, Misty drives the vision and strategy behind building learning experiences that allow individuals to enter and then grow their careers in healthcare.

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Michael Bird

BS Anthropology

National Consultant
National Policy Council for AARP

Michael E. Bird is a Santo-Domingo/KEWA Pueblo Indian from New Mexico. Mr. Bird has more than 30 years of public health experience with Native American populations in the areas of medical social work, substance abuse prevention, health promotion and disease prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, behavioral health, and healthcare administration.

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Edward R. Christensen

BS Anthropology
MS Anthropology
Ph.D. Anthropology

Docent
Utah Museum of Natural History

Edward R. Christensen has achieved wide intellectual, accomplishments in a variety of academic and professional fields, and is devoted to civic and social service. He graduated from the, University of Utah in 1948 with a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in, Chemistry in 1949. Edward then completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology, in 2009.

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Caroline Gleich

BS Anthropology

Professional ski mountaineer, Adventure Athlete, and Environmental Activist
Big Mountain Dreams

Caroline Gleich moved west from the frozen hills of Minnesota age at 15 and began to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a professional skier. Now she is sponsored by the likes of Patagonia, Zeal Optics, Clif Bar, Atomic skis, Thule, Nemo, Glide stand up paddle boards, Quickblade paddles, among others, and shreds with the best nearly every day of the season.

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Economics (55)


Mark Hardy

HBS Political Science
Economics

Managing Director
Deerwood Capital Group

Mark has spent his career in the Private Equity Market, either as a Private Equity Investment Professional or as an Advisory Consultant to Private Equity Firms and privately held businesses. Most recently Mark assisted privately held businesses prepare for realization, develop exit strategies and execute sales.

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Larry Gelwix

BS Economics

Managing Director & Co-Head of Industrial Corporate Advisory
Greenhill & Co.

Mr. Gelwix joined Greenhill in 2008. Prior to joining Greenhill, Larry was with Lehman Brothers where he focused on a variety of M&A and corporate finance transactions. Larry works primarily with industrial and aerospace & defense-oriented clients and his background includes working in the commercial aerospace industry.

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Benjamin Hart

BS Political Science
BS Economics
MS Economics

Deputy Director
Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development

Benjamin Hart is deputy director of the Governor??s Office of Economic Development (GOED). Hart helps develop the strategic direction of the office. He oversees corporate recruitment and incentives, the International Trade and Diplomacy Office, the State Trade Expansion Program and various other programs designed to help expand Utah's economy.

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Matt Martinez

BS Sociology
BS Economics

Pioneer | Teacher Major Accounts Strategic Business Consultant
ADP

As a student Matt Martinez earned a degree in Sociology and a second in Economics while significantly contributing to the University of Utah Football team as a linebacker and team captain. Matt's success has continued post-graduation as he has excelled as a Regional Account Sales Executive for ADP Payroll and Business Solutions in Salt Lake City.

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Environmental and Sustainability Studies (4)


Sara Baldwin Auck

BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Regulatory Program Director
Interstate Renewable Energy Council

As IREC's Regulatory Program Director, Sara is responsible for managing the development of IREC's regulatory strategy, establishing priorities for engagement, and assisting with the strategy implementation.

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Brandon Lee

BA Political Science
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Principal
ABS Consulting

Director, Environmental and Economic Policy and Regulation, Lee leads and manages projects related to environmental, regulatory, economic, and security risk-related issues for ABS Consulting, a maritime risk firm. He has led projects analyzing environmental impacts in the Western U.S., regional, national, and international air emissions and climate change, air and water regulations.

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Kelsey Howard

BS Geography
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Research Consultant
Boulder Mountain Consulting, LLC

Kelsey Howard is currently attending graduate school at the University of Utah in the geography department. Her Master's research is focused on studying paleoecology and spring productivity in Utah's west desert by reconstructing past fire and vegetation histories, as well as past climates through the use of pollen and charcoal from wetland sediments.

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Jason Robison

BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Fellow
Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Harvard College

Professor Robison's research and teaching interests generally revolve around water law and related areas of environmental and natural resources law and policy. He began his work in this field while earning a B.S. in Environmental Studies at the University of Utah and subsequently completed a J.D. at the University of Oregon School of Law, as well as an LL.M. and S.J.D. at Harvard Law School.

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Family and Consumer Studies (14)


Melissa Freigang

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Executive Director
Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence

Melissa Freigang is the founding director of the Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence. The Center is unique, the first of its kind. It is a department of Weber County in partnership with the Weber-Morgan Health Department and Weber Human Services. Melissa blends her 25-years of experience in operational excellence with her expertise in human development, family resilience and intervention design to address the county’s most complex social challenges.

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Natalie de Guzman

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Research Scientist
California Department of Public Health

Natalie de Guzman received her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies in 2009. She was then accepted into UC Davis for her master's program,and earned her degree in human development in 2010.

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Mary Chase Tommaney

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Advertising

Mary Chase Tommaney grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. She graduated from the University with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics and went on to the University of Southern California for a Masters in Merchandising. Returning to Salt Lake, she became Assistant Advertising Manager in a large fashion department store, later leaving for summer in Europe with school friends.

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Karen White Fairbanks

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Owner
Fairbanks, Inc.

Karen White Fairbanks,a lifelong resident of Ogden, manages Fairbanks, Inc., a national purchasing cooperative in the underground piping industry, with her husband Rick. Previously, they owned and operated the industrial piping firm W.R. White Company. Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Home Economics.

Read more about Karen White Fairbanks


Geography (8)


Charles Sensiba

BS Geography

Partner
Troutman Sanders LLP

Charles Sensiba is a partner in the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, LLP, in Washington, DC. He provides strategic counsel and legal representation to public utility districts, state governmental entities, investor-owned utilities, water districts, independent power producers, and developers on the full spectrum of complex licensing, natural resources, and environmental issues related to hydropower development.

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Matthew Moffit

BS Geography

Vice President, Navy Systems
Boeing's National Security and Space Group

Matt Moffit is Vice President, Navy Systems for Boeing's National Security and Space Group. He brings numerous years of Navy operational experience plus military assessments, requirements and budgeting expertise with him.

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Teri Klug

BS Geography

President & Founder
Strategic Development LLC

Teri Klug is the community outreach director for Visit Salt Lake and is responsible for engaging with all constituents of Salt Lake County, with a learn, serve, grow together approach to the Visitor’s Economy. She also helps people better understand importance and value of visitors and define individual product offerings inside the fabric of each of 17 communities within Salt Lake County.

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Merrill K. Ridd

BS Geography
MS Geography

Emeritus Professor
University of Utah

Merrill K. Ridd is an emeritus professor of geography. He graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in 1954 and MS in 1960. Ridd earned his PhD from Northwestern University in 1963. He is a Korean War veteran 1950-1956.

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Health, Society and Policy (6)


Maziar Nourian

BS Health, Society and Policy
Minor Psychology
Minor Chemistry

Mentor
LEAP College of Health Program

Maziar M. Nourian is a graduate from the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science in Health Society and Policy as well as minors in Psychology and Chemistry ('13). Nourian will continue his education to complete a Doctor of Medicine in 2019.

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Nathan Vassiliades

BS Health, Society and Policy

Dentist & Owner
Queen Creek Smiles

Nathan Vassiliades completed a BS in Behavioral Science and Health and then went on to complete dental school at the Marquette University School of Dentistry. Nathan has volunteered for Give Kids a Smile, Sealants for Smiles, the American Red Cross, and Cancer Wellness House.

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Elaine Peterson

BS Health, Society and Policy

Academic Program Manager
John A Moran Eye Center - University of Utah

Elaine started with the University of Utah in 1994, as part of the Health Sciences Development Office, and has been the Program Manager in Ophthalmology for 15 years. She oversees one ACGME-accredited residency program with a complement of twelve trainees, and seven non-ACGME fellowships with a total of eleven fellows.

Read more about Elaine Peterson

Alexis Lee

BA Health, Society and Policy

Programs Manager
University of Utah

Alexis Lee is a Programs Manager in Wellness and Integrative Health at the University of Utah. On the WIH Team, Alexis primarily helps to manage department finances, Wellness Outreach events, and ongoing program development. Alexis is a proud University of Utah graduate with a BA in Health, Society, and Policy and a BS in Exercise and Sport Science.

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Master of Public Administration (23)


Julie Newland

Master of Public Administration

Contract Specialist
Department of the Interior, National Park Service

Julie Newland graduated from the Executive MPA program in 2008. Since graduation, she has worked as a Contract Specialist for the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Read more about Julie Newland

Luz Escamilla (Luz Robles)

Master of Public Administration

Vice President Community Development
Zions Bank

Luz Escamilla (Luz Robles) is a Democratic member of the Utah State Senate, representing District 1. She was first elected to the chamber in 2008. Escamilla earned her B.S. in business marketing from the University of Utah. She went on to earn her M.P.A. from the University of Utah.

Read more about Luz Escamilla (Luz Robles)

Rebecca Chavez-Houck

MS Master of Public Administration

Salt Lake City's District 24 Representative
Utah House of Representatives

A Utah native, Rebecca Chavez-Houck holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), both from the University of Utah. She has represented Salt Lake City's District 24 in the Utah House of Representatives since 2008 and focuses on public policy related to health and human services as well as voter engagement and access.

Read more about Rebecca Chavez-Houck

Amanda K. Covington

HBS Mass Communications
Master of Public Administration

Executive Vice President, Communications & Government Affairs
Larry H. Miller Group of Companies

Amanda Covington has more than 20 years of experience leading corporate communications and government relations strategies impacting financial communications, crisis communications, domestic and international media/public relations, corporate branding and advertising, digital media, employee relations, public policy and legislation, industry associations, and community relations.

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Master of Public Policy (3)


Shawn Teigen

MS Master of Public Policy

Research Director
Utah Foundation

Shawn Teigen is the Lumina Foundation Strategy Labs State Policy Adviser for Utah. Lumina is the largest foundation in the United States that focuses solely on increasing Americans?? success in higher education. It works to increase the proportion of Americans with postsecondary credentials to 60% by 2025. Shawn is utilizing the resources of Lumina??s Strategy Labs with Utah leaders and influencers in an effort to help the state reach its attainment goals.

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Michael Parker

BS Political Science
Master of Public Policy

Vice President of Public Affairs, Marketing and Senior Economist
Ivory Homes

Michael P. Parker earned both his bachelor's in political science and master's degree in public policy with an emphasis in regional economic policy from the University of Utah. He currently serves as the Director of Public Policy for the Salt Lake Chamber.

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Florian Hernandez

Master of Public Policy

Executive Director
Philippines Humanitarian

Florian Hernandez is the Executive Director for Philippines Humanitarian, a non-profit organization, providing funding for the education of impoverished children in the Philippines. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Utah State University.

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International Affairs and Global Enterprise (3)


Mark Pittman

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise
BS Political Science
BS Economics

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Blyncsy

Prior to starting Blyncsy, Mark worked in areas as diverse as political campaigns, start-ups, and even a Fortune 500 Company. Mark was Director of the Lassonde New Venture Development Program at the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah.

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Kyle Gray

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise

Storyteller, Professional Speaker and Bestselling Author

Right after graduation Kyle was adjunct faculty teaching an entrepreneurship class called The Foundry, helping local Utah entrepreneurs. It was his experience during his degree program and later teaching that helped him get a job with a startup, whose business he helped to grow with annual recurring revenue using just online marketing.

Read more about Kyle Gray

Jeremy Lindsey

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise

Chief Operating Officer
Alpha Warranty Services

Jeremy Lindsey is a winner of the 2017 Utah Business Magazine CXO of the Year award and AE Magazine's Top 40 Under 40.

Read more about Jeremy Lindsey


Political Science (84)


Michael Weiler

BS Political Science

Professor
Emerson College

Michael Weiler,has served as a professor of communication studies at Emerson College since 1989. He is an expert in argument, rhetoric,and political communication. His research has appeared in Argumentation and Advocacy, Informal Logic, and the Quarterly Journal of Speech, and he has co-authored a collection of essays on the rhetoric of Ronald Reagan.

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Ron Henriksen

BA Political Science

Co-Founder
Henriksen/Butler Design

Ron Henriksen received his bachelor's degree from the U in political science. He went on to co-found Henriksen/Butler Design, a contract furniture business, with Steve Butler in 1980, and the company became one of the leading distributors in the Intermountain West.

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Jeff Dixon

BS Political Science
Economics

Nevada State Director
The Humane Society of the United States

Jeff Dixon received Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah. While attending college Jeff was awarded the Young Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Social and Behavioral Science.

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Gregory Hopkins

BS Political Science

President & CEO
GLH Partners

Gregory L. Hopkins is the President and CEO of GLH Partners, and a Partner at Galileo Fiduciary Wealth Management. Mr. Hopkins has been a senior executive in several enterprises over a 30-year career in business and government, including Chief Operating Officer at Anolinx, a clinical research firm, Senior Vice President at Energy Solutions (NYSE symbol ES), a worldwide energy services company.

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Psychology (31)


Jamie Brass

BS Psychology

Licensed Psychologist
Weber

I am a Utah native and earned my undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Spanish from to obtain my Master's and Doctoral Degrees at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I missed the Utah mountains, so I returned home and completed my internship at Utah State University.

Read more about Jamie Brass

Lace Padilla

PhD Psychology

Assistant Professor
University of California Merced

Dr. Lace Padilla is an assistant professor in the Cognitive and Information Sciences department at the University of California Merced. She received a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Neural Sciences and an MFA in Design from the University of Utah. Padilla and collaborators were recently awarded an NSF RAPID award to study uncertainty in COVID-19 data visualizations.

Read more about Lace Padilla

Scott W. Reed

BS Psychology

Assistant Utah Attorney General; Director of Utah Opioid Task Force
Utah Office of the Attorney General

Scott W. Reed is an assistant Utah Attorney General, assigned as special assistant to the AG and senior drug and alcohol policy advisor. In his twenty-five years in the Utah Attorney General’s office, Reed has served as Division Chief in three separate divisions - Criminal Justice, Commerce, and Child Protection - as well as the Director of the State Assistance to Narcotics Enforcement (SANE) grant project.

Read more about Scott W. Reed

Deedee Corradini

BS Psychology

Businesswoman, Politician
Salt Lake City, Utah

Deedee Corradini was born Margaret Louise McMullen (although Deedee was a childhood nickname) in Providence, Rhode Island. She attended school in Lebanon and Syria for 11 years as a child. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Drew University in 1965, and a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Utah.

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Sociology (23)


Andrea Martinez

BA Sociology

Acting United States Attorney
District of Utah

Andrea T. Martinez is the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Utah, appointed on March 1, 2021, by virtue of the Vacancies Reform Act. As Acting U.S. Attorney, Ms. Martinez will serve as the District’s chief federal law enforcement official until a successor is nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Read more about Andrea Martinez

Leigh VandenAkker

BS Sociology

Teacher/Author
Salt Lake City School District

Leigh M. VandenAkker is Utah's 2012 Teacher of The Year and winner of Utah's 2011 Golden Apple Award. She is a 2015 recipient of the prestigious Huntsman Award and the 2016 PeaceKeeper Award. As co-author of Techniques for Tough Times TM, Leigh has trained teachers nationwide, providing insight and support by educating teachers in classroom management and how to teach SEL. She presented recently on Whole Child vs. No Child at SXSWEDU.

Read more about Leigh VandenAkker

Clover Sanders

Masters Sociology

Realtor
The Group Real Estate

Clover Sanders was born and raised in Salt Lake City. She attended Rowland Hall and graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A.. In 2001, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she and her husband lived for two years. Clover earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2005. She then lived and worked in Boston for one year before returning to Salt Lake City in 2006.

Read more about Clover Sanders

Lindsay Hadley

BS Sociology

CEO & Founder
Hadley Impact Consulting

Lindsay Hadley has become one of the most sought-after consultants and producers in the nonprofit sector. Early in her career, she facilitated humanitarian projects in Kenya, Peru, Mexico, and Thailand. Since then, she has demonstrated her exceptional fundraising skills, raising more than $30M+ directly for her clients and has leveraged $Billions for causes through her campaigns and events.

Read more about Lindsay Hadley


Friend of CSBS (15)


The Bright Future Foundation

Friend of CSBS

Non-Profit Organization

The Bright Future Foundation is a registered US non-profit organization and works to make a quality education more readily accessible to students domestically and those living in developing nations. This effort is based on the belief that education empowers individuals to pull themselves out of poverty.

Read more about The Bright Future Foundation

Mickey Ibarra

Friend of CSBS

President
Ibarra Strategy Group

For Mickey Ibarra advocacy has always been a way of life. It was in that role he honed the leadership skills that led him to the White House senior staff of President Bill Clinton, the creation of his own business and the development of the Latino Leaders Network.

Read more about Mickey Ibarra

J. Ralph Brown

Friend of CSBS

National Citizenship Chairman
National P.T.A.

J. Ralph Brown graduated from the University of Utah in 1935. While at the U, he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, served as a class officer, business manager of the campus magazine, and was selected to be part of both, Skull and Bones and, Owl and Key groups.

Read more about J. Ralph Brown

Desmond C. Barker

Friend of CSBS

President
Des Barker Associates, Inc.

Desmond C. Barker is the president of Des Barker Associates, Inc., which provides public relations, government affairs, and business-to-business marketing consulting to the tourism, land development, manufacturing, mining, and telecommunications industries, areas he has specialized in for 12 years. He serves on the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce government affairs and transportation committees, among others.

Read more about Desmond C. Barker

Last Updated: 4/28/23