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Anthropology (8)


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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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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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)


Ben Wilson

HBA Economics

Attorney
Information Security Expert

Ben Wilson graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi from the University of Utah's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences in 1987 with an Honors degree in Economics. His Honors Thesis focused on Mexico's decision to join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. He then went on to obtain a JD from the U's College of Law in 1990, focusing on business law.

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Nick Pappas

BS Economics

Co-founder, Comedy writer, Stand-up, & Storyteller
comedywire.com

Nick Jack Pappas is a comedy writer, stand-up, and storyteller in New York City. In a field of 1600 applicants, he was one of eight chosen for the NBC Late Night Writers Workshop 2015. Nick is one of the founders of Comedywire.com, a startup company that provides white-label humorous content to clients, including well-known comedians, politicians, and public speakers. The group's combined client network on Twitter has over 6 million followers.

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Roger Boyer

BS Economics

Director & Advisor
The Boyer Company

As Chairman of The Boyer Company, Roger serves as a director and advisor to The Boyer Company. Under Boyer's direction The Boyer Company has developed more than 30 million square feet of commercial projects throughout the Intermountain West, including office buildings, shopping centers, medical offices, hotels, apartments, and special use facilities.

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Jewell Rasmussen

BS Economics

Chairman of Economics Dept. (retired)
University of Utah

Dr. Rasmussen graduated from Snow College in 1929 prior to attending the University of Utah where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. He embarked on his teaching career at Granite High School and concurrently pursued his masters degree in economics at the University of Utah, receiving his graduate degree in 1936.

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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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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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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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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)


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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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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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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Geography (8)


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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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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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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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


Health, Society and Policy (6)


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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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.

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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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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.

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Master of Public Administration (23)


Robert Spendlove

Master of Public Administration

Senior Vice President & Economic and Public Policy Officer
Zions Bank

Robert is a Senior Vice President and the Economic and Public Policy Officer for Zions Bank. In this capacity he monitors and reports on economic indicators and public policy developments for the bank. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank is Utah's oldest financial institution and it operates locations in communities throughout the Intermountain West.

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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.

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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

Mike Zuhl

BS Political Science
Master of Public Administration

Director, Public Affairs
R&R Partners & Government Relations Consultant

Mike Zuhl's vast background in government and public affairs, combined with the relationships he has cultivated over three decades, make him an invaluable asset to clients who are scrutinized by regulatory and legislative bodies.

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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.

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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.

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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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International Affairs and Global Enterprise (3)


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.

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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.

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Political Science (84)


Leonidas Ralph Mecham

BS Political Science
Master of Public Administration

Director
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

Leonidas Mecham graduated from the University of Utah with highest honors,receiving a B.S. in Political Science in 1951, a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University in 1963, and a J.D. from George Washington University.

Read more about Leonidas Ralph Mecham

Bill Crim

BA Political Science

President & CEO
United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL)

Bill Crim serves as President and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL). Most recently, he worked as UWSL's Senior Vice President of Collective Impact and Public Policy. He has worked for over 23 years on issues related to economic opportunity, health care, education and poverty, first as a research fellow for the Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, D.C. and then as a researcher, policy analyst, community organizer, lobbyist, and executive director for Utah Issues.

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Jordan Andrew

BS Political Science

Private Wealth Advisor
Goldman Sachs

Jordan Andrew provides comprehensive fee-based financial planning and assists business owners and affluent families in identifying where the gaps and missed opportunities exist. He helps clients in the areas of investment management programs, retirement income strategies, estate planning, business succession planning, personal risk management, and tax reduction strategies.

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Chase Winder

BS Political Science

Enterprise Account Executive
State and Local Government at Qualtrics

Social impact is an integral part of Chase Winder's life and inspiration for what he does every day. After graduating from the University of Utah and moving home to Salt Lake City from Washington DC two years ago he co-founded a national education nonprofit called the Digital Learning Alliance (DLA).

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Psychology (31)


Sydnie Simmons

BS Psychology
BS Sociology

Clinical Psychologist
OB/GYN Psychcare, PLLC

Sydnie Simmons is a licensed clinical psychologist currently specializing in maternal-infant health through a program I developed called OB/Gyn Psychcare. Her program has a focus in bringing awareness of the obstacles women, their partners, and their families face regarding emotional struggles during pregnancy and postpartum adjustment.

Read more about Sydnie Simmons

Kelly Ko

Ph.D. Psychology

Director of Clinical Research
West Health

Kelly J. Ko grew up in the great Pacific Northwest where at a very young age developed an interest in the healthcare field. As a result, throughout high school and college Ko started working as a nursing assistant where he developed a passion for serving the elderly and an intense curiosity of how we age.

Read more about Kelly Ko

Charles L. Perschon

BS Psychology

Director of Business Development
North America, Kaspersky Lab

In law school, Mr. Perschon was a summer clerk for Presiding Judge Judith M. Billings of the Utah Court of Appeals and was a summer associate at Danaher, Lagnese & Neal in Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating in 2006, Mr. Perschon joined Hill, Johnson & Schmutz in Provo, Utah where he practiced litigation and appellate work.

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Rachel Wertheimer

BS Psychology

Attorney & Shareholder
Par Brown Law Firm

Rachel Wertheimer received her Juris Doctor in 2011 from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif with Highest Honors, and a William H. Leary Scholar. She served as the Note and Comment Editor of the Utah Law Review, was a member of the first place team in the Traynor Moot Court Finals, a member of the National Moot Court Team, and a Legal Methods Teaching Assistant.

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Sociology (23)


Geraldine Mineau

Ph.D. Sociology

Researcher
Huntsman Cancer Institute

Geri Mineau PhD is an Investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Research Professor at the University of Utah. Dr. Mineau is a demographer (with a doctorate from the Sociology Department at the University of Utah) who was the director of the Utah Population Database from 1994 to 2010.

Read more about Geraldine Mineau

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.

Read more about Tanya Vea

Douglas L. Anderton

BS Economics
MS Economics
Ph.D. Sociology

Chair of the Department of Sociology at the College of Arts and Sciences
University of Utah

Dr. Douglas L. Anderton, a renowned researcher in the growing field of social epidemiology and epigenetics, is the Chair of the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina.

Read more about Douglas L. Anderton

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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Friend of CSBS (15)


Irwin Altman

Friend of CSBS

Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science & VP for Academic Affairs
University of Utah

Irwin Altman earned a bachelor's from New York University in 1951. He continued to pursue his studies in psychology at the University of Maryland, where he earned a master's and a Ph.D. in 1957.

Read more about Irwin Altman

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

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.

Read more about Matthew Theel

Ibi Guevara

Friend of CSBS

Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Hunt Electric

Ibi has been active in the Utah business community. She is a member of the Salt Lake Chamber, EDCUtah, Corporate Alliance, and the Society of Marketing Professional Services, and currently serves on the board of Urban Land Institute and serves on several NAIOP committees.

Read more about Ibi Guevara

Last Updated: 4/28/23