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Anthropology (8)


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.

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Ted Coxworth

PhD Anthropology

Senior Director of Analytics
Progexion

As a leader, Ted's emphasis on accurate, clear, and efficient problem solving applies to more than just the models my team builds or tests we design and monitor. It extends to establishing IT and data infrastructure, adding new team members, and maintaining effective lines of communication.

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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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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.

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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.

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John H. Short

Ph.D. Economics

Independent Director
WellPoint, Inc.

Dr. John H. Short (1944-2015) was Independent Director at WellPoint, Inc. and Managing Partner at Short Consulting LLC. He was on the Board of Directors at WellPoint, Inc. and Kindred Healthcare, Inc. Dr. Short was previously employed as Executive Chairman by VeriCare Management, Inc., President & Chief Executive Officer by RehabCare Group, Inc., and Managing Partner by Phase 2 Consulting, Inc.

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John Pingree

BA Economics

Executive Director
Semnani Foundation

John Pingree received his undergraduate degree from the U in economics and went on to get his MBA from Harvard University in 1966. He was regional manager for sales planning for Xerox Corporation from 1967 to 1970 and then moved on to Memorex Corporation, where he was director of marketing from 1970 to 1975.

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Darin Gilson

BA Political Science
BS Economics

Managing Director
Banyan Ventures

Darin Gilson is a founding partner of Banyan Ventures. Darin has led the firm’s efforts in developing BelleHavens, Spruce, Palo Verde, Terra Flame Home, RCA Holdings, and Kore. Prior to co-founding Banyan, Darin served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Campus Pipeline and as a consultant with McKinsey & Company.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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.

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Brooke Adams

MS Family and Consumer Studies

Communication Specialist
University of Utah

Brooke Adams is an award-winning veteran reporter who has covered everything from local government to technology and polygamy during the course of her career. She currently covers news for several departments and programs on campus as part of her role as communications specialist in the University Marketing and Communications Office. Brooke earned her master's degree in Human Development and Social Policy.

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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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Geography (8)


Brian Haslam

BS Geography
MS Geography

President | CEO
Cityworks | Azteca Systems, Inc.

Brian Haslam earned his bachelor's degree from Geography in 1986, followed by his master's degree from Geography with a GIS emphasis in 1990 from the University of Utah. In 1986, he established Azteca Systems, Inc. to provide mapping update services for the US Forest Service Geometronics national mapping center located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Don Lewon

BS Geography

Owner
Dixie Metal Recycling

Don Lewon has been an exemplary leader in and supporter of the University, the College, and the community. He received a B.S. in Geography from The University of Utah.

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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.

Read more about Kelsey Howard

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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Health, Society and Policy (6)


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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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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Frank Ulibarri

BS Health, Society and Policy

Market President
Aetna - Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi

As President of Aetna, Mr. Ulibarri is responsible for leading local markets in Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi overseeing sales, network development, and operations for commercial group, individual and government businesses. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Coventry Health Care of Florida, and was later named Aetna Market Executive Director in 2013.

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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)


Tab Uno

Master of Public Administration

Retired
Candidate for the 2020 Utah House

Tab Lyn Uno lives in Clearfield City with his wife of 19 years. As a life-long resident of Utah, born in Salt Lake City a year before Burger Bar in Roy opened in 1956, a former member of the Salt Lake City Board of Education, a licensed clinical social worker along with a masters degree from the University of Utah in Public Administration.

Read more about Tab Uno

Aden Batar

Master of Public Administration

Director of Migration and Refugee Services
Catholic Community Services

Aden Batar is the Director of Migration and Refugee Services for Catholic Community Services (CCS). He is the first former refugee to ever hold such position in Utah. He has worked in this field for more than 20 years.

Read more about Aden Batar

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)

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)


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.

Read more about Michael Parker

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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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.

Read more about Shawn Teigen


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.

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

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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Political Science (84)


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.

Read more about Farnaz Kashefi

Judge Bruce S. Jenkins

BS Political Science

Senior United States District Judge
State of Utah

Judge Bruce S. Jenkins graduated magna cum laude in political science from the University of Utah in 1949, and went on to earn a juris doctor from the S.J. Quinney College of Law in 1952 where he wrote for the Utah Law Review.

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Ned Stringham

BS Political Science

Managing Partner
42 Ventures

Ned Stringham graduated from the U. in 1987 with degrees in Philosophy and Political Science. Stringham was a departmental scholar in Philosophy, selected as a Truman Scholar and served as Student body President while attending the University.

Read more about Ned Stringham

Luciano Pesci

BS Political Science
MA Economics

CEO
Emperitas

Luciano Pesci is a graduate instructor of Economics at the University of Utah where he teaches statistics, intermediate micro, American economic development, and applied business analytics. He holds an HBA in history, a BS in political science, and an MA in economics all from Utah, where he was the 2008 valedictorian, and is in the final phase of his PhD in economics.

Read more about Luciano Pesci


Psychology (31)


Paula Swaner

Ph.D. Psychology

Psychotherapist
Granite Mental Health Center

Dr. Paula Swaner has been a member of Utah's psychotherapeutic community since 1963 when she volunteered at Granite Mental Health, Utah's first community mental health center.

Read more about Paula Swaner

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.

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Sean Meegan

MS Psychology
Ph.D. Psychology

Adjunct Professor
University of Utah

Sean Meegan was born and spent his childhood in New York and moved around a good deal. He did a BS in Psychology at St. Louis University in 1993 and a PhD in Developmental Psychology at the U. in 1999.

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Oakley Gordon

BS Psychology
MS Psychology
Ph.D. Psychology

Associate Professor
University of Utah

Oakley Gordon received his bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Utah. He is now an adjunct professor of the department studying the epistemology of the indigenous people who live in remote villages in the high Andes of Peru.

Read more about Oakley Gordon


Sociology (23)


Tobie Spears

BA Sociology
BA Political Science

Executive Director
Guatemalan Humanitarian Tours

Tobie says she is lucky enough to have one awesome husband, two amazing daughters, and three crazy cats. Tobie fell in love with traveling when she was 17 and backpacked through Europe and drove from Utah to Canada with her two best friends. In 2013 they drove from Utah to Guatemala where they lived, worked, and volunteered and Tobie's been leading international travel ever since.

Read more about Tobie Spears

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

Jody Olsen

BS Sociology

Visiting Professor
University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Social Work

Jody Olsen, PhD, MSW, is a visiting professor at the University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Social Work, director of the campus Student Center for Global Issues, and co-chair of the campus Global Health Interprofessional Council. She teaches international social work and is strengthening international opportunities for students and faculty at the school. She has participated in four inter-professional student summer health research projects in Malawi.

Read more about Jody Olsen

Allysann Ingram

BS Sociology

PAQ Program Manager
United States Air Force

A year after graduation, Allysann and her husband moved to Massachusetts. They both secured jobs with the Air Force, working at Hanscom Air Force Base. She is currently working as a Jr. Program Manager and was recently accepted into the Global Studies and International Relations master’s program at Northeastern University in Boston.

Read more about Allysann Ingram


Friend of CSBS (15)


R. Christian Sonne

Friend of CSBS

Practice Leader
Self Storage Valuation Group at CBRE

R. Christian Sonne is a Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield and the Specialty Group Manager of the Self Storage Industry Group. An appraiser and real estate economist by training, Chris started Self Storage Economics in 2002 because of the growing sophistication of the self storage asset class and market demand for quantified self storage data and conclusions.

Read more about R. Christian Sonne

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

Randy C. Emery

Friend of CSBS

Senior Vice President & Surety Division Manager
The Buckner Company

Randy Emery has spent more than 25 years in the commercial insurance and surety industry with a specialization in the construction industry. Currently Senior Vice President and Surety Division Manager for The Buckner Company. Randy provides risk management and surety services to commercial and residential contractors.

Read more about Randy C. Emery

S.J. Camarata

Friend of CSBS

Director
ESRI

S.J. is a director of ESRI. He focuses on the company’s global corporate strategies. He also currently serves on a number of boards—both for profit and nonprofit organizations—and has held a number of other board seats over the years.

Read more about S.J. Camarata

Last Updated: 4/28/23