Leadership Utah 2025

Jeff Ainsa, LCSW, is an independently licensed mental health clinician who has committed his illustrious career to those in need. A mental health expert and advocate, he currently serves as the Mountain Region Clinical Director for evolvedMD, one of America’s fastest growing companies. With clinical and administrative oversight of over 50 passionate clinicians working throughout Utah, he is at the forefront of helping Utah become a better place to live, work, and play.
 
Jeff received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work from ASU and has spent the better part of his professional life transforming the lives of everyone he engages with. With extensive experience, he is most passionate about developing the mental health sector’s emerging workforce.

Amy Andre is the current State Work-based Learning Intermediary for Talent Ready Utah, housed within the Utah System of High Education. In this role, Amy oversees six state pathway programs within several different industries; aerospace and defense, construction, diesel, tech sales and manufacturing. Amy also oversees the state youth apprenticeship program Talent Ready Apprenticeship Connection (TRAC). Prior to coming to Talent Ready Utah, Amy was working at Stadler US overseeing the TRAC program. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Media.

Ashley Aoki currently holds the position of Director of Large Employer Sales at Select Health. In this capacity, she assumes responsibility for overseeing new business prospective activities in the state of Utah, specifically targeting enterprises with a workforce exceeding 50 employees, spanning both commercial and governmental sectors. Her role further entails a close alignment with prominent employee benefit brokers within the Salt Lake market, affording her a nuanced understanding of the challenges confronting employers within their existing business infrastructures.

Jaron Badger is a Relationship Manager in the Commercial Banking group at Wells Fargo. Jaron has been with Wells Fargo since 2017 and has previously held positions as an analyst and portfolio manager within the same group. As a Relationship Manager, Jaron has a portfolio of 30 clients that generate $20 million in sales or more across various industries. He provides all types of banking services from treasury management to lending credit. Prior to Wells Fargo Jaron received his Masters in Finance from the University of Utah. Aside from his career, Jaron is a real estate investor, soccer coach, husband and father.

Agnesa joined The Buckner Company in 2017 bringing with her over 26 years of insurance experience. Prior to joining Buckner, Agnesa owned her own agency for 10 years. Although experienced with most industries, she specializes in the hospitality and construction sector. Agnesa has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Westminster.

Noah Baskett is the Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Public Library system, beginning in January 2024. Noah grew up in Salt Lake and moved to the Pacific Northwest for college at the University of Puget Sound. He holds a bachelor's degree in History and a master's degree in Transformational Leadership from Seattle University. Noah's professional background is with community-based intermediary organizations. Most recently he served as the COO of Leadership Foundations, a global network of nonprofits that addresses unmet needs in cities by engaging leaders and organizations across sectors. At the Library, Noah is excited for the opportunity to serve as a "Platform for Community Transformation," a place that nurtures connection, collaboration, and opportunity for all Salt Lakers.
Noah is married to Rebecca Baskett, a school social worker, and has two daughter. In his free time, he loves to read, write, cycle, and play his mandolin.

Brooklyn Beierle is a graphic designer at the Salt Lake Chamber. She has a passion for the wellbeing of Salt Lake City and the State of Utah and takes pride in improving her community with her artistic talents. Brooklyn creates graphics and other collateral for the Chamber’s events and programs and loves every step of the process. She treasures her wonderful team and finds delight in working with them. Brooklyn loves that every project she works on is an opportunity to serve her community. She loves being able to see her work in the wild when she is out and about in Downtown Salt Lake City. Brooklyn graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Beyond her professional achievements, she finds joy in sewing clothes, creating art and spending time with her friends and family.

I am a native Utahn and have a wife and 4 kids (two sets of twins). I have worked at Wells Fargo for over 16 years and enjoy working with business and community leaders on improvements in their organizations.
I am active and specifically enjoy mountain biking and golfing. I always look forward to making new contacts and building relationships.
 

After a spring break ski trip from Wisconsin to Little Cottonwood Canyon in 2005, the powder convinced Brianna Binnebose to give Utah a try. She is an Account Planner with Penna Powers, giving her the opportunity to collaborate across a broad spectrum of stakeholders and provide strategic communication direction for a variety of clients. Brianna earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Utah and has been involved in public involvement and planning for nearly a decade. She has previously worked for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands as the Wasatch Front Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator, where she received national recognition for her work in wildfire prevention and preparedness. When not strategizing on all things communication, Brianna can be found motorcycling with her husband Davis, roaming mountains near and far with her three dogs, and watching cooking shows.

Caryn's journey at Visit Salt Lake spans 15 years, evolving from a sales administrator to Director of Sports Services and eventually Managing Director. Under her leadership, Sports Salt Lake gained national acclaim. Caryn was honored with the Vasilios Priskos Award in 2023 for her work with NBA All-Star 2023. She also received the inaugural S.A.L.T. Employee of the Year award for her outstanding service, leadership, and commitment. Caryn's influence extends to her role as chair of the Employee Action Committee, where her guidance is highly respected among her peers. Her unwavering dedication and ability to inspire make her an invaluable asset to Visit Salt Lake.

Brad Broska serves as Vice President of Operations for Aspen Ridge Senior Living. In this role, Brad oversees the Senior Living Portfolio for the Larry H Miller Senior Health Platform. Brad was part of the oversight team for a newly renovated Assisted Living community in Lehi Utah. The Grand Opening of this community was June 3rd 2023. This is the first of Senior Living Care Facilities that is a natural compliment to the other Health Care Services that Larry H Miller Senior Health offers. 

Melissa Call serves as a Director of Marketing and Communications for Intermountain Health. In this role, she oversees LDS Hospital, TOSH Campus, Intermountain Medical Center, Alta View Hospital and Riverton Hospital. Melissa collaborates with her dedicated team to communicate to more than 10,0000 caregivers located in the Salt Lake Valley, connect with community leaders and support community events and sponsorships. She graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. This dual degree allows her to strategically approach marketing and communications opportunities throughout a variety of communities. Melissa really enjoys working with our hospital teams as well as being in the community to help people live the healthiest lives possible.

Currently serving as EVP of Corporate Communications & Brand Marketing at Jacobsen Construction, Amy has significantly contributed to successful corporate executive teams. She has developed business plans, organizational core values, and led high-performing marketing and communications teams. Amy has managed complex cross-departmental projects, spearheaded brand transformations, guided corporate and social responsibility efforts. Her previous roles include Deputy Director of Communications and Marketing at Utah DEQ, Owner of Grüve PR, and Co-Founder of Dare to Dream Sports Marketing. She also played a key role in integrated communication strategies for former Utah Governor Gary Herbert during the 2014 legislative session. Amy enjoys exploring national parks, game nights with her family, and music.

Ben Cook is the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Utah Office of Tourism, part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. He is a creative and resourceful leader with 18 years of marketing, brand and communications expertise. He leads a team of seven in developing and executing strategic campaigns to promote responsible tourism – ensuring a robust visitor economy that supports businesses and communities across the state. 

Patti Cook is the Women's Leadership Institute's director of communication. She works full-time in the Salt Lake office, overseeing the company's marketing and communication efforts and growing engagement among a thousand program alumni statewide. She hosts WLI's podcast, Elevate, which explores topics related to the intersection of leadership, gender, and the modern workplace.

Saskia is the Business Strategy Manager with Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development where she supports divisions with program design, process improvement, and policy research. Previously, Saskia worked as the Performance & Innovation Manager with SLCo's Office of Data & Innovation. Prior to joining SLCo, Saskia served as a Harvard Government Performance Lab Innovation Fellow assisting with collective impact efforts to redesign homeless service systems in SLCo. She has dual Masters' degrees in Public Policy and Information Science from the University of Michigan. Before graduate school, Saskia lived in Washington, DC, and worked on the U.S. Census Bureau's international team providing technical assistance to statistical offices in Armenia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Saskia holds a B.Sc. in Sociology with honors and B.A. concentration in Applied Math from Brown University.

25 Years Banking/Treasury Experience
MBA- Business Administration- Westminster College
Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)
Served on SLC based Credit Union Board – 6 years
Served as President and VP of AFP of Utah

A true Utahn, born and raised, Gavin Fenton is the Regional Sales Manager and go-to person for Fisher’s Utah operations. Gavin is focused on positive interactions and development of his team to build valuable relationships with customers, team members, vendors, and manufacturers. With over 20 years of sales experience, Gavin brings his knowledge and helpful demeanor to customer interactions.

Corey Furst serves as the Director of Operations for M.A. Mortenson’s Salt Lake City office, ensuring seamless processes from inception to completion. Overseeing the construction management teams, he places paramount importance on risk management through safety and quality standards in the field, while delivering an unparalleled customer experience. His obligations include crucial areas such as preconstruction, design phase planning, and business development initiatives. As a Civil Eng graduate of the University of Minnesota, he brings a wealth of expertise honed through 30+ years in the industry.

Bill Gammell Serves as the Associate Vice President of Property & Facilities at Clyde Companies, Inc. In this role, he manages over 170 locations. Each location may have several different facilities ranging from concrete batch plants, hot mix asphalt plants, truss plants, offices, rail spurs, and more.  He is responsibilities for various permits ranging from Conditional Use Permits, Large and Small mine permits, air permits and water quality permits. He also manages a variety of over 220 leases. Bill graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. He is husband and father of four kids, one girl and three boys. In his free time, he enjoys boating, snowmobiling, dirt bikes, hunting, and fishing. He loves Utah and is proud to call it his home.

Erica Hansen is the External Communications Manager for Swire Coca-Cola – the local bottler and distributor of Coke and 50+ other beverages throughout the Intermountain West. Prior to joining Swire three years ago, Hansen served as the Community Relations Manager at Utah’s Hogle Zoo for close to a decade. Her background is a mix of PR and media – she wrote for the Deseret News as the theater editor; hosted an FM morning radio show and worked in TV news. She is also a local performer and mom to a fantastic 16-year-old daughter.

Policy advisor for the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission. Abby brings together state legislators, leaders in the executive branch, local governments, and subject matter experts to solve Utah’s most pressing challenges. Whether the issue is a lack of affordable housing or developing a ready workforce, her 12 years of experience have taught her the main ingredients in crafting meaningful public policy: trusted data, collaboration, passion toward a shared goal, and caffeine during the legislative session. Abby graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah with a BA in Political Science. Four years later, she returned to her alma mater to complete her MPA. She focused her studies on public policy, quantitative research, and state and local governance, often with her two young children in tow. When she's not working, Abby can be found adventuring in the outdoors with her husband, son, and daughter.

Paul is all about relationship building and connecting like-minded individuals. He has 21 years in the education industry both in recruitment and account management with higher education institutions throughout the country. He has a passion for engaging with others both on a professional level as well as personally. Paul graduated from the University of Utah in the Social Sciences and is a proud Alumni, go Utes! 

Shawn Koji currently serves as the Assistant Facilities Manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco - Salt Lake City branch office.  In this role, Shawn oversees 90,000 square feet of high-security infrastructure, as well as building operations, grounds, vendor management, and supervision of the engineering team. In addition to facilities management, Shawn has had a varied career, working in areas such as construction, law enforcement, aviation maintenance, aircraft production, and even as a small business owner in e-commerce. Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Weber State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Outside of work, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Morgan and their two children, Kirra, and Collin. As well as involvement with local sports teams, and taking advantage of Utah’s outdoor recreation activities, such as camping, fly fishing, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty to be found all around Utah.

Kylie, Head of Client Engagement at Struck has extensive experience that spans diverse sectors, including destination marketing, outdoor recreation, and biotechnology. Her strategic acumen and problem-solving skills allow for a portfolio that features collaborations with many esteemed clients. Kylie’s expertise extends across traditional and digital marketing where she has orchestrated campaigns in collaboration with various agency partners, including creative, public relations, promotion, social media, and event activation teams. Outside her professional pursuits, she is an active member of Chief, a leading network of female executives revolutionizing the industry.

Emily Lawrence is a Marketing Manager at University of Utah Health, where she oversees marketing for Orthopaedics and Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and assists with managing the overall U of U Health brand. A University of Utah alumna with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, Emily spent a decade in the tech industry before transitioning to healthcare in January 2024. In her role she works alongside the Marketing & Communications department to build marketing strategy based on patient interest and need. Outside of work, Emily enjoys quality time with her husband, John, and their four children. She loves being in the mountains, attending concerts or sporting events, and will never turn down a Diet Coke.

Briana Mallory has been a licensed Realtor since 2004.  As the Director of Relocation and Referral Services for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties Briana procures and facilitates our corporate relocation business and manages a team of 65+ seasoned agents in over 30+ office locations covering most of the state of Utah and southeastern Idaho. She has earned her Certified Relocation Professional designation, a member of Worldwide ERC, she is At Home With Diversity and a member of the Relocation Directors Council. Briana specializes in the training and education of her team, innovative business strategies and providing our clients a seamless relocation experience. During her time in relocation, we have nearly doubled our departments referral volume, closed transactions and client channels. She is passionate about spending time with friends and family. As most Utahns do, she enjoys the outdoors, especially skiing, whitewater rafting, camping, and hiking with her two dogs.

Matt Mansfield is currently the Vice President, Mortgages at Deseret First Credit Union.  In this position, he oversees the production and servicing of mortgages and construction loans.  Matt has a passion for real estate and enjoys helping members realize the dream of homeownership. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.  He currently sits on the Utah CUREN (Credit Union Real Estate Network) board as Vice President.  When Matt isn’t working, you can find him enjoying time with his wife and four kids (and probably at a Country concert).

Gretchen Margetts, rPlus's marketing coordinator, specializes in event planning for groundbreakings, commissioning, company retreats, etc., ensuring memorable experiences for partners and team members. She enhances brand visibility and marketing efforts by managing rPlus websites, social platforms, and project-specific content creation. Gretchen oversees marketing design and content creation internally and externally, crafting compelling marketing content for various mediums. She played a key role in establishing rPlus University, facilitating knowledge sharing through online courses and podcasts. With 3.5 years at rPlus and a marketing degree from the University of Utah, she brings expertise. Beyond rPlus, Gretchen is passionate about health and fitness, holding a personal training certification and actively participating in the rPlus health and wellness committee.

Annie Martinez serves as the Head of Operational Procurement for Staker Parson Companies. In this role, she leads a procurement team of over 25 in 7 states to execute and drive correct purchasing and procurement principles. She graduated from University of Phoenix with honors, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance while working full-time as a purchaser for Staker Parson Companies. After 15 years as a purchaser, she began managing a team of purchasers which eventually lead to her current position. Annie has also served in a leadership role in her company's employee resource group called EMERGE for Women. When Annie is not working, she will be found on a playing field of one of her three children, either watching soccer, rugby, baseball, football or any other activity her children are participating in. She also enjoys traveling, paddleboarding, fishing and hiking with her husband and children.

Katie Matheson serves as the Marketing & Research Manager, and Diplomacy Officer for the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development. In this role, she oversees the marketing & communication efforts for the department's two divisions--Business Development and the Salt Lake City Arts Council--as well as the department's Tech Lake City and Sister Cities initiatives. As a diplomacy officer, Katie reinvigorated the flagship diplomacy program for Utah's capital city and now assists the Mayor and City Council members in welcoming visitors from around the globe, in addition to working with her team to manage six international Sister Cities relationships. Katie lives in Ogden and has two rambunctious sons, ages 9 and 7.

Kathleen McMillan is an Associate Marketing Director in the Salt Lake City office of CBRE. In this role she oversees an in-house marketing team comprised of managers, specialists and designers supporting ten offices throughout the Mountains Region (Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico). Kathleen’s primary responsibilities encompass business development, property marketing and team operations, in addition to directing the activities of any third-party vendor needs. Kathleen is also a member of the CBRE Salt Lake Leadership Team, assisting with the development and implementation of local office branding, management and growth strategies.

Kelly Mendenhall is the Director of Regulatory and Pricing for Dominion Energy. He oversees state regulatory strategy, filings and proceedings and works with the state utility commissions in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.

Mendenhall has over 25 years of state and federal regulatory experience and has held various analyst and management roles during that time. 

Mendenhall holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Utah and his MBA from Westminster College.  He is currently licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Utah.

He and his wife Stephanie enjoy exploring traveling with their three children.

Sierra Merryweather is a Service Center Branch Manager at the Salt Lake Foothill Dans America First Credit Union branch. Sierra started her journey at America First as a 20-hour teller and worked her way up into leadership. She has been in leadership for a total of 9 years which 7 of those 9 years has been with America First. Sierra revels in training and developing her team by nurturing their growth and igniting their potential. Guiding her employees and members towards financial well-being and betterment is her mission as a branch manager. When Sierra is not at the branch you can find her exploring new horizons with her husband Chance, whether it’s the enchanting world of Disneyland, the rugged beauty of state and national parks, or the canvas waiting for her artistic touch.

Charlie Mirkle is the Director of Sales at ABC4 Utah, Utah’s first television station. Over 2 decades of experience in the broadcasting industry, Charlie has established himself as a dynamic leader and a visionary in sales and marketing. He began his media career as a sales executive, rising through the ranks due to his ability to forge strong client relationships and drive revenue growth. ABC4 Utah has seen significant increases in advertising sales, securing major contracts with national brands and local Utah businesses alike. Charlie is a Navy veteran and outside of his professional endeavors, he is part of the leadership team for a veteran non-profit, Veteran Overland, which focuses on helping post 9/11 combat veterans. 

ANDREW NESTLEHUT, Senior Vice President, is Utah Housing Corporation's (UHC) Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he is responsible for organizing and directing all financial activities of UHC, which primarily include capital and mortgage secondary markets, financial analysis, banking, treasury, investments, debt management, and accounting.  Previously, Mr. Nestlehut served as the Senior Director of Capital Management at the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and had close to a decade and a half of housing experience through IHDA alone, holding management positions for the past ten (10) years.  He is experienced in the structuring and issuance of debt, management of credit and financial risk, securitization, investor relations, liquidity review, and strategic management. Mr. Nestlehut holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration degree from Loyola University of Chicago.

Jessica Osborne serves as the General Manager of Baggage for Delta Air Lines' Below Wing operation in Salt Lake City. In this capacity, she manages customer baggage, assistive devices, finance, shift bids, and the Data Analyst team. With nearly 26 years at Delta, she has held various roles across 5 stations all over the US, accumulating 23 years of leadership experience.

Brian Pendleton is the Chief Nursing Officer at Intermountain Medical Center. In this role he oversees the operational and clinical management of all nursing within the 508 bed hospital. IMED is the flagship hospital for Intermountain Health and is a primary referral center for the Intermountain West area. Brian graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. Outside of his work with Intermountain, Brian also volunteers as a coach for the Lehi High School Mountain Bike team. Something he and his family have loved doing together for his oldest son joined the team 8 years ago.

Nicole is the Finance Controller AVP at Select Health, bringing over 20 years of professional experience to her role. A licensed CPA, Nicole began her career as an auditor at a Big Four firm, later transitioning to hold finance leadership roles at Rio Tinto, where she played a key role in driving financial excellence. Nicole holds both a BS degree in Accounting and an MBA from the University of Utah. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys watching movies and attending sports events with her husband and 4 sons.

Doranne Pittz is the Associate Division Director over Recreation for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation.  In this role, she oversees Salt Lake County’s 21 recreation facilities including: 18 swimming pools, 4 ice sheets, 4 licensed childcare facilities and the new MY County Rec Pass program.  Doranne works alongside her team to ensure that every patron has fun and quality experience when visiting a recreation facility or participating in a program.  Doranne graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation with an emphasis in Outdoor Education.  Throughout her career she has worked within all realms of the Parks and Recreation industry from leading outdoor trips to after school programs, summer camps and even working with raptors!  When not working, Doranne spends her time on adventures in the mountains, deserts and canyonlands with her family.

Elsie joined Clyde Companies in 2018 as a founding member of the Desert Color project and has advanced to various roles in the Clyde organization, including the corporate marketing team, Springville Rising project manager, and now manages the community engagement arm of the corporate strategy team. She earned a communications degree from BYU.

Heidi Prior is a public policy analyst at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute where she specializes in demographic research. Her work products focus on Utah’s racial and ethnic diversity, Salt Lake City population dynamics, and demographics related to Utah’s public education system.
Before joining the Gardner Institute, Heidi taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade at public and charter schools in Utah and Colorado. Her leadership work as a teacher focused on school reform, equity, and experiential learning. As a graduate student entering the field of public policy, Heidi pursued research in education policy and housing policy. She also completed internships at Utah Foundation and the Utah Education Policy Center.
Originally from New York, Heidi has lived in Salt Lake City for sixteen years, where she enjoys skiing, outdoor adventure, and downtown fun with her husband and two sons.

Jane Rees is a Customer Service and Benefits Manager for Beneficial Life Insurance Company. She has worked for Beneficial Financial Group for 32 years. She has held many positions within the company including Manager, Team Leader, Process Improvement Specialist, Death Claims Representative, Systems Administration Support, Customer Service Representative, and Policy Change Representative. The Customer Service Team is responsible for providing service to over 60,000 policy owners. This includes inbound calls, distributions, maintenance changes, and paying the death claim when the insured passes away. Jane has been married to Stuart for 4 years.  She has two daughters, two step sons and one step daughter.  Jane enjoys reading, watching movies, and sewing quilt tops.  She likes to go camping and take road trips.  A couple of her favorite trips are Iceland and Hawaii.

Kelsey is an award-winning communications professional, she serves as Corporate Communications Supervisor at R&R Partners. Focusing on media relations and crisis communication, she manages strategic PR initiatives for a diverse clientele. Her portfolio boasts an impressive array of clients, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, America First Credit Union, Parents Empowered and other public health education campaigns. Recognized as a crisis communication leader, Kelsey handles over a dozen crises annually, earning acclaim for her exemplary work with the Utah Division of Risk Management and the Utah Attorney General's Office. Formerly the President of Young Professionals Salt Lake City and a board member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Utah chapter, Kelsey's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including Utah’s Young PR Professional of the Year in 2019.

Jen Robison brings her state and local government experience to the US External Affairs team at Rio Tinto where she works with the mine adjacent cities and counties. Before stepping into the private sector, she served as Lt. Governor Henderson’s Chief of Staff, as an advisor to Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton, and as the political director for Better Days 2020. She is an experienced executive with a comprehensive knowledge of state and local government structures, skilled at navigating policy and appropriations processes, implementing policies, strategic planning, and overseeing operating procedures. She has engaged in extensive board, leadership, and civic service experiences. Currently, she serves on the Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Committee and has a great love for Utah women’s history. Jen loves the outdoors, exploring Utah and the West with her husband, Rob, and their two dogs.

Freny Rokhva is the Vice President of Human Resources at WCF Insurance, bringing over a decade of experience in recruiting, benefits administration, HR information systems management, and employee relations. Her expertise lies in HR information systems and she is passionate about supporting and empowering people. She has worked in both government and private sector settings, contributing her knowledge and skills to enhance organizational success. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys working in her garden, knitting, and crafting jewelry from beads.

Majda Scofield is the Director of Finance and Strategic Planning at the Humane Society of Utah, where she has gained a reputation as a transformational leader with over a decade of experience. She focuses on financial planning, internal audits, financial controls, and process improvements to the organization's mission to support animal welfare. Majda holds a Master's Degree in Commercial Management from France and a Bachelor's in Economics from Morocco.
Majda is dedicated to the Humane Society's financial sustainability. She has successfully resolved complex billing disputes and implemented robust internal controls. She has an Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Utah and is pursuing her CMA certification while participating in the 2024-2025 Leadership Utah program. Her dedication to animal welfare and financial integrity reflects her belief in sustainable leadership and its potential for creating meaningful impact.

Jeff Seitz has 10 years of auditing and financial leadership experience. As a member of the Forvis Mazars Healthcare Group and Private Equity Practice, he provides assurance and consulting services for a variety of health care clients. He consults with clients on a wide variety of issues, including debt financing arrangements, entity purchases and consolidations, internal control structures, and new accounting pronouncements. Jeff is a member of the AICPA, the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), and is an HFMA Certified Healthcare Financial Professional. Jeff served as communication chair for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of HFMA before relocating to Utah. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Financial Economics from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and received his Master of Business Administration from Walden University.

Andy Sheehan is a communication specialist for Savage where he assists in bringing the company together through internal communications and events. His small team of two oversees all internal messaging strategies for a company of about 4,000 Team Members, and they’re always trying to find better ways to reach the frontline workers. Andy graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor’s in communication with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. In his free time, Andy enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashlee, and their three daughters – one who’s four years old and twin two-year-olds. When he needs some alone time, he enjoys cycling, participating in triathlons, and baking. One day, Andy hopes to participate in the 206-mile LoToJa bike race and have a small business screen printing T-shirts.

Alison Smith is the Communication Manager for the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. After almost 15 years in the non-profit sector, Alison brings her talent and enthusiasm for strategic communication to SLCDA. Alison's passion for people is at the heart of her internal and external communication work. Whether through managing social media, coordinating and writing internal newsletters, or planning airport events, Alison thrives when she is helping her community through clear and thoughtful communication. Outside of the office, Alison enjoys participating in The MomCo. of Park City and spending time with her husband and young son.

Grace works as an accounting clerk for nine non-profit organizations, including the Salt Lake Chamber. She is in charge of payable, receivable, and membership. She helps companies run their business smoothly by handling work accurately and meticulously. Grace graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho with an Associate of Applied Business Management. One of her favorite things to do is spending time with her family. She enjoys exploring the world, camping, fishing, and hiking with her husband and three children. Her family immigrated to US from South Korea 15 years ago. Grace has a passion for teaching children. She has been teaching English to students for many years. With encouragement and love, she teaches children not only language but also they are loved and valued.

Jessica Sorensen currently serves as the Zions Bank Retail Administration’s Product Implementation Manager. She oversees Digital Banking Strategies for the Retail Division, ATMs, the release of the bank's new Operating System, and additional projects deemed necessary by Retail Leadership. Jessica enjoys working with her incredible Channel Strategy team as they work to create and implement the vision created by Zions Bank for the Retail Division. Jessica enjoys bringing an enthusiastic and positive view to the changes that are common in the industry and likes working with employees to embrace that change. She graduated in 2024 with a degree in Business Administration Management. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, dance, piano, arts, skiing, rock climbing, socializing with her friends, exploring new restaurants and really any event that allows her to get dressed up. She is proud to be a career woman and hopes to make a positive impact within her community.

Brian Stuart has recently relocated to Utah & settled into a new home in Riverton. He is originally from Brooklyn, NY, but spent the past 25 years in PA. He is a proud parent to his daughter Michaela, 26, living near Philadelphia, and his son Andrew, 23, in the Poconos. Professionally, Brian has taken on the role of Senior Vice President over Large Commercial at WCF Insurance, bringing with him 25 years of experience from Selective Insurance in New Jersey. His career is complemented by a dedication to community service, evident in his lifelong commitment as a volunteer firefighter, a foster family for emergency placements, and his support for the humane society. Academically, Brian holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a BS in Ecology and Environment from ESU. He several industry designations, including CIC, CRIS, and AU. Licensed in Property and Casualty in Utah and other states, in his spare time he is an avid outdoor enthusiast, community service, and DIY projects.

Joe Trunzo serves as the Commercial Banking Center Manager for Altabank's South Jordan Lending Team. He oversees a team of lenders and additional staff, that collectively manage a commercial lending portfolio in excess of $200 million in credit commitments. He has been in the banking industry since graduating from the University of Utah in 2009, and has experience underwriting, production, and managing a team that are consistently among the top bankers within the Bank. Joe sits on the Board for InterMountain Business Lending, a premier commercial development company in the State of Utah, that assists small businesses in obtaining SBA 504 loans. Joe graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School in 2019, which is a graduate level banking school located in Seattle, Washington. When Joe is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, on the golf course, and on the trails training for his next ultramarathon.

Bob Whittaker began his career as a higher education fundraising professional at Westminster where he brought the Ronald E. McNair program to Utah. This federally funded program helps first-generation, low-income, and minority students earn graduate degrees. Utah was the only state in the U.S. that did not have a McNair Program. By creating a partnership with Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah, he helped Westminster secure its first McNair grant. Bob moved to Vermont in 2005 to lead Lyndon State College’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign and raised more than $10 million at a school that had never raised more than $500,000 through a campaign. There he helped create a model of education oriented around the needs of first-generation and low-income rural students. Whittaker’s commitment to making higher education more accessible to underserved populations brought him back to Utah as SLCC’s Executive Director of Development.

Steve Wright is an experienced public relations and communications professional with more than 20 years in the private and public sectors. As the Director of Public Relations and Community Engagement for Mountain America Credit Union, he oversees a six-state region including Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, and New Mexico. He has worked for some of the fastest growing municipal corporations in the United States as well as several Fortune 500 companies in finance and communications managing regional public relations and communications. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Southern Utah University and a master’s degree in public administration and management from Arizona State University. In his spare time, Steve enjoys traveling and hiking with his wife and grown children, sings in a semi-professional choral group, and is a mental health advocate.

Alex Yengich is an Office Assistant at the Salt Lake Chamber with a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah. Alex excels in managing office operations and providing exceptional support, thanks to a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and engineering. Passionate about integrating technology and medicine, Alex aims to become a physician to enhance healthcare delivery. Volunteering at local clinics and participating in medical research, Alex is preparing for a medical focused future. With a unique blend of engineering expertise and administrative experience, Alex is dedicated to making a positive impact in her community and bettering the lives for future generations to come. In the meantime, Alex enjoys going to dinner with friends, fixing up her 1972 Ford Bronco, and the fierce conversations at book club.