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Anthropology (8)


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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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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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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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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Economics (55)


Natalie Gochnour

BS Economics
MS Economics

Associate Dean at David Eccles School of Business
University of Utah

Natalie Gochnour earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in economics in 1984 and 1988 from the University of Utah.

Read more about Natalie Gochnour

Raj Dhaliwal

BS Economics

Associate Attorney
Ray Quinney & Nebeker

Mr. Dhaliwal is an associate with Ray Quinney & Nebeker, practicing in the firm’s Corporate/Business, Employment, Real Estate, Cybersecurity and Privacy, and Health Care sections. Specifically, Mr. Dhaliwal focuses on business, real estate, and health care transactions, including entity formation and planning, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and corporate compliance.

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Gary Fish

BS Economics

Founder and Chairman
Deschutes Brewery

Gary Fish is the founder and chairman of Deschutes Brewery. The 30-year-old company began as a modest public house and restaurant in Bend, Oregon, and is now heralded as one of the country’s original and most successful independent craft breweries.

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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)


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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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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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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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.

Read more about Sara Baldwin Auck


Family and Consumer Studies (14)


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

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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Allie Teller

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Playworks Specialist
Canyons School District

Allie Teller received her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies in 2009. She went on to receive her master's in educational psychology in 2013.

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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.

Read more about Brooke Adams


Geography (8)


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

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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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.

Read more about Teri Klug

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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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.

Read more about Nathan Vassiliades

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

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.

Read more about Marlowe Dazley

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.

Read more about Frank Ulibarri


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.

Read more about Robert Spendlove

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

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

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.

Read more about Janine Donald


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

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

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.

Read more about Florian Hernandez


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.

Read more about Mark Pittman


Political Science (84)


Jon McEachran

BS Political Science

President & CEO
Stag Island Investments

Jon McEachran is the founder and CEO of VIP Inc. (Vidal Street Industrial Park Inc) in Sarnia, Ontario Canada. His company of 40 employees provides industrial rail, trucking and warehousing services to several multinational companies including Exxon Mobil and Shell Canada.

Read more about Jon McEachran

Jim Divver

BS Political Science

Senior Vice President
Government Relations for Zions Bank (NASDAQ: ZION)

Jim Divver is the Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Zions Bank (NASDAQ: ZION). He oversees all aspects of the government relations for leveraging the customer base in the Zions Bank footprint. His efforts have yielded over $2.7 billion in revenue for Zions. He is a member of the company's Zions lnsurance Committee and Trust Committee.

Read more about Jim Divver

Ross Romero

BS Political Science

Principal
Inclusion Strategies

Ross Romero is a Salt Lake City-based attorney & consultant with an extensive background in commercial litigation, labor and employment, and government relations. Ross currently is the Principal at Inclusion Strategies. Ross assists clients with government relations needs at the local, state and National level and is consulting in the diversity and inclusion area, with an emphasis in workforce and talent development.

Read more about Ross Romero

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).

Read more about Chase Winder


Psychology (31)


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

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.

Read more about Hollie Pettersson

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

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.

Read more about Jeffrey Joe


Sociology (23)


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

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

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.

Read more about Matt Martinez

Mark Arego

BS Sociology

Case Manager
Salt Lake County Felony Drug Court

Mark graduated from the Master of Social Work program in 2013, after completing two undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Sociology. He now works for Salt Lake County Felony Drug Court as a case manager. His ultimate goal is to a therapist within drug court program.

Read more about Mark Arego


Friend of CSBS (15)


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

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

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

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