We want to feature you!
Share Your Story
or If you'd like to be featured in our spotlights, please send your biography and a photo
to Lynne Shaffer or lynne.shaffer@csbs.utah.edu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Economics (55)
Dave Patton
BS Political Science
Economics
Ph.D. Political Science
Executive Director
Utah Department of Health (UDOH)
Dr. W. David Patton has served as executive director of the Utah Department of Health(UDOH) since March 2011. As director, Patton oversees nearly 1, 000 health department employees with the goal of helping Utah become the healthiest state in the nation.
Robert C. Gay
BA Economics
Managing Director
Bain Capital
Bob Gay earned a bachelor's in economics from the University of Utah in 1976. In 1982, Gay graduated from Harvard University with a Ph.D. in business economics and then taught economics at Harvard for two years as a research fellow.
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.
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.
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Family and Consumer Studies (14)
Jenny Stout
Family and Consumer Studies
Undergraduate Advisor
University of Utah - Family & Consumer Studies
In 2007, Jenny Stout received two bachelor's degrees: one in consumer and community studies and one in human development and family studies. She is now an academic advisor for the Department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Master of Public Administration (22)
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.
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.
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.
Flynn A. Andrizzi
Master of Public Administration
President
Hoag Hospital Foundation
Dr. Andrizzi is the President of the Hoag Hospital Foundation and Senior Vice President for Development, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. In this role he serves as a member of Hoag’s senior management team and leads the overall development operations for Hoag. Dr. Andrizzi has spent over 25 years as a leader in the non-profit sector.
Master of Public Policy (3)
Shawn Teigen
MS Master of Public Policy
Research Director
Utah Foundation
Shawn Teigen is the Lumina Foundation Strategy Labs State Policy Adviser for Utah. Lumina is the largest foundation in the United States that focuses solely on increasing Americans?? success in higher education. It works to increase the proportion of Americans with postsecondary credentials to 60% by 2025. Shawn is utilizing the resources of Lumina??s Strategy Labs with Utah leaders and influencers in an effort to help the state reach its attainment goals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Political Science (84)
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.
Sally B. McMinimee
BA Political Science
Attorney
Ray Quinney & Nebeker
Sally McMinimee’s practice focuses on family law. Her practice involves representing individuals in divorce with a focus on large marital estates, complex business and property divisions, and all other areas of family law. Sally has also served as a federal receiver in an SEC action in Nevada and additionally has served as counsel to the receiver in a large Utah-based receivership.
Jeff Dixon
BS Political Science
Economics
Nevada State Director
The Humane Society of the United States
Jeff Dixon received Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah. While attending college Jeff was awarded the Young Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
Dave Patton
BS Political Science
Economics
Ph.D. Political Science
Executive Director
Utah Department of Health (UDOH)
Dr. W. David Patton has served as executive director of the Utah Department of Health(UDOH) since March 2011. As director, Patton oversees nearly 1, 000 health department employees with the goal of helping Utah become the healthiest state in the nation.
Psychology (31)
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.
Lee Ellington
Ph.D. Psychology
Professor
University of Utah
Lee Ellington is a Professor at the College of Nursing, a clinical psychologist, and a Huntsman Cancer Institute Investigator. She holds the Robert S. and Beth M. Carter Endowed Chair. Dr. Ellington has an interdisciplinary program of research in family-patient-provider communication. Her primary interest is in meeting the health and well-being needs of family caregivers of advance cancer patients through communication processes
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.
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.
Sociology (23)
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.
James (Jim) Brass
BS Sociology
City Council Member
City of Murray
Jim Brass has more tenure on the city council than any other elected official in Murray. He is serving his fourth term as District 3 council member, taking his first oath-of-office in 2004. Prior to election Jim was a commissioner on the Murray City Planning Commission providing a wealth of land use experience.
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.
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.
Friend of CSBS (15)
Connie White
Friend of CSBS
Vice President of Compliance
Western Electricity Coordinating Council's (WECC)
Connie White became Western Electricity Coordinating Council's (WECC) Vice President of Compliance in 2009. She provides oversight and directs all aspects of WECC's Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP). This includes the registration process, audits, investigations, and enforcement, for more than 450 entities in the Western Interconnection.
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.
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.
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.