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.
Earl Skidmore
BS Sociology
BS Anthropology
President (retired)
Northern California Chemical Association & Esbro Chemical
Earl S. Skidmore earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah where he majored in Sociology and Anthropology and earned minors in Zoology and Chemistry. Earl's studies at the University were interrupted by two years of service in the U.S. Navy. Later in his career, Earl returned to higher education earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University.
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.
Marsha Gilford
BS Anthropology
BS Psychology
Southwest Regional Director, Corporate Affairs
The Kroger Co.
Marsha Gilford, Southwest Regional Director, Corporate Affairs for The Kroger Co., oversees government affairs, media relations, philanthropy and community relations for 139 Smith's store communities throughout a seven-state operational area. She has held her position as VP for the past 20 years.
Economics (55)
Jason Ware
BS Economics
Partner & Chief Investment Officer
Albion Financial Group
As the firm’s Chief Investment Officer Jason guides Albion and their clients through complex and ever-changing financial markets with a rigorous investment approach underpinned by a resolute core long-term philosophy. Jason, and the team of portfolio managers and analysts he leads, build durable evidence-based investment portfolios for clients in service to the financial planning his firm’s advisors (CFPs) do on the front end.
Richard Davis
BS Economics
Senior Manager of Insights and Analytics
Vehicle
Rich Davis is Senior Manager of Insights and Analytics at Vehicle. Vehicle uses personalized video to drive loyalty and reduce churn, enabling brands to make one-to-one connections with their consumers. Increased customer engagement is accomplished through hyper-targeted, dynamic and personalized video or rich media via digital advertising and messaging mobile channels. In his role, Rich optimizes targeting strategies and campaign insights to key Vehicle clients.
Nico Dato
BS Economics
Executive Vice President of Marketing
Podium
Nico is the EVP of Marketing for Podium, the leading interaction management platform that enables companies with a local presence to conveniently connect at critical touchpoints and help them strengthen their business.Dato grew up in Bountiful, Utah and attended the University of Utah, where he graduated in 2013 with a degree in economics.
Komson Chanprapan
PhD Economics
Senior Machine Learning Scientist
Overstock.com
Komson is a Data Scientist with a PhD degree in Economics and over five years of experience both in industry and academia teaching.
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Family and Consumer Studies (14)
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.
Barbara Vance
BS Family and Consumer Studies
Professor
Brigham Young University
Barbara Vance earned a bachelor's in family and consumer studies from the University of Utah in 1956. She received a master's in human development from Brigham Young University in 1959 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in counseling from Stanford University.
Ron Dichter
BS Family and Consumer Studies
CEO
BlueDog Business Services, FortisPay, SIX PAC OTG
Ron Eliot Dichter is a serial entrepreneur who got his start while still attending the University of Utah. His first venture, Eliot Management Group, was sold by Dichter in 2010 and still operates in 15 states today. Dichter then started a national leading credit card processing company, BLUEDOG, which was later merged into FortisPay where Dichter currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer.
Abbirose Polityka
BA Family and Consumer Studies
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Salt Lake County
Abbi provides services with respect for human dignity and promotes the individuality of the residents unrestricted by considerations of age, social or economic status, personal characteristics, sexual orientation or lifestyle. She strives to respect and promote residents’ rights of self-determination, making every reasonable effort to act in accordance with residents’ wishes.
Geography (8)
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.
Richard A. Carter
BS Geography
Vice President of Government Relations
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
A native of Salt Lake City, Utah and a current resident of Arlington, Virginia, Rick Carter graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Utah's College of Social and Behavioral Science in Geography/Urban Planning and a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. He also affiliated with and was president of the Delta Sigma chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marlowe Dazley
BS Health, Society and Policy
Senior Vice President, Managing Director
Health Catalyst
Marlowe Dazley is senior vice president and managing director at Health Catalyst, a leading provider of data and analytics technology and services to healthcare organizations, committed to being the catalyst for massive, measurable, data-informed healthcare improvement.
Master of Public Administration (23)
Nichol Bourdeaux
Master of Public Administration
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Utah Transit Authority
Nichol Bourdeaux has over 20 years of experience working in communications and public administration. As the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the Utah Transit Authority she oversees, PR & Marketing, Customer Service, Community Relations, Customer Experience, and Innovative Mobility Solutions. Before serving in her current position at UTA, Ms. Bourdeaux served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Ralph Becker, in Salt Lake City.
Janine Donald
Master of Public Administration
Executive Director
Elements Traverse
Janine is the Executive Director at Splore, a nonprofit adventure company which specializes in providing life-changing outdoor adventures for people of all abilities. Donald is an alumna of Pacific University in Oregon and in 2012, received her Master in Public Administration from the University of Utah.
Dave Jones
Master of Public Administration
Co-Founder
Pathway Associates
Dave Jones is a co-founder of Pathway Associates, a regional fundraising consulting firm specializing in capital campaigns. With over twenty years of fund raising experience, and nearly forty capital and major gift campaigns to his credit, Jones brings a wealth of experience to his clients and a sincere passion for their causes.
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.
Master of Public Policy (3)
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.
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.
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.
International Affairs and Global Enterprise (3)
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.
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.
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.
Political Science (84)
John Sheaffer
BS Political Science
Partner
Dart Adamson & Donovan
John has practiced family law since 1979; in 1987 he became a partner with Dart, Adamson & Donovan where his legal career focuses exclusively on the area of family law. He appears regularly in court on complex family law issues, and also applies his substantial skills and experience as a certified mediator and as a fellow of the Collaborative Professionals of Utah to effectively address the individual needs and concerns of his clients.
Farnaz Kashefi
BA Political Science
Deputy General Counsel
West Coast University
Farnaz (Nanaz) Kashefi was born in Tehran, Iran and raised in Utah after her parents transferred to the University of Utah to pursue their respective Masters degrees in 1986. Ms. Kashefi graduated with a Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Political Science and a Certificate in International Relations in 2000.
Clark D. Ivory
BA Political Science
Chairman
Ivory Homes
Clark D. Ivory earned a bachelor's in political science from the University of Utah in 1988, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. His academic pursuits continued at Harvard, where he earned an MBA in 1992.
Larry Nokes
BA Political Science
Lawyer
Nokes & Quinn
Laurence P. Nokes received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Utah in 1979 and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1982. Nokes enjoys the coveted AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized for inclusion by Super Lawyers in its publication.
Psychology (31)
Mitchell Cox
BS Psychology
International Program Manager
Lucid Software
Mitchell Cox graduated with an Honors B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah in December 2014. Passionate about people and technology, Mitchell enjoys building great tech products that provide exceptional user experiences. Outside of his professional work, Mitchell coaches CrossFit, is passionate about sexual assault education and prevention, and enjoys Utah's beautiful outdoors.
Parry Mead Murray
BS Psychology
Vice President & Board Director
Giles W. and Elise G. Mead Foundation
Parry Mead Murray graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah in 1977, earning bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Psychology.
Jeffrey Joe
MS Psychology
Research Scientist/Engineer
Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
Jeffrey Joe graduated in 2000 with a Master's of Science degree in Psychology. Since then, he has been working as a Human Factors Scientist at Idaho National Laboratory, studying people working with specialized technologies in high-consequence, complex operating environments, and evaluating the human-technology interactions to make the technologies more user-friendly and the operating environments safer.
Hollie Pettersson
PhD Psychology
MS Education Leadership & Policy
MS School Psychology, Special Education
Partner
Cicero Group/Ed Direction
Hollie started her career teaching adjudicated youth in 1994, over the years she broadened her experience by teaching in elementary, middle and high school classrooms. As a licensed psychologist she worked with individuals, families, and schools to build trauma informed practices and increase social and emotional learning.
Sociology (23)
Jill McAree
BS Sociology
Co-Sponsor
Discover's Professional Women Impacting Results (PWIR) Chapter
Jill started her career at Discover 21 years ago. She is a tenacious business leader, constantly considering ways to improve the experience with Discover for employees, customers, and the community. Recently, Jill led the complete overhaul of the recruiting process for all field hiring across the country. She worked to improve the sourcing, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees.
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.
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.
Tanya Vea
BA Sociology
BA Mass Communications
Exec. VP, News & Cross Platform Development
KSL 5 TV & KSL NewsRadio
Tanya Vea is the Vice President and General Manager of Bonneville Salt Lake City, which includes KSL TV, KSL NewsRadio (FM 102.7), KSL Sports, FM 100.3 (KSFI) and 103.5 The Arrow (KRSP). She is the first woman to hold that position in Utah. Tanya joined Bonneville in 2010 as the executive vice president of cross-platform development and helped lead the formation of a combined news division, bringing together TV, radio, web and newspaper.
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.
April Northstrom
Friend of CSBS
Grant Writing & Prospect Research Associate
Pathway Team
April Northstrom is a Grant Writing and Prospect Research Associate with the Utah Nonprofit Consultants Pathway team. She began her nonprofit career as an intern with the Make-A-Wish Foundation?? of Utah and has since worked as a development professional with nonprofits across the United States, including the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana, Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Matthew Theel
Friend of CSBS
Special Education Teacher
Canyons School District
William Matthew Theel graduated from the University of Utah in May of 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies. Formerly under the College of Social and Behavioral Science, it is now housed under the School of Social and Cultural Transformation.
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.