About the Summit

The Utah’s Business Diversity Summit, part of the One Utah Summit Series, will engage business and community leaders in efforts to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. The Summit will feature several significant keynote speakers, substantive breakout sessions, numerous networking opportunities, and insightful resources. Presentations are targeted toward businesses with well-developed Diversity and Inclusion programs, as well as those businesses without current efforts but who want to engage.

Join us to hear from diversity professionals and learn about ways to address diversity and inclusion in Utah businesses.

Utah’s Business Diversity Summit
Friday, October 28, 2022 | Doors Open: 7:30 a.m. | Program: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek
75 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ticket Price: $120

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Registration Closed – Learn How to Join Wait List

2022 AGENDA

REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

Welcome & Morning Keynote
Five Components of Extraordinary Teams
Lee Rubin, Lee Rubin Speaks
Grand Ballroom

You know that it takes more than individual talent to build a great team. Lee Rubin can help you help you reinforce that message by sharing the components of great teams with your student-athletes. Lee draws from his personal experience as a former student-athlete and his professional expertise to share insights, best practices, and step-by-step instructions to equip your team with the tools to do the things that great teams do.

After Lee’s presentation, you will understand the importance of communication among team members. You will be more inclined to make personal sacrifices in order to build team chemistry. You will also approach practice differently to develop the necessary consistency to be a part of a championship team.

Diversity in Utah Panel Discussion
Grand Ballroom

In May of 2021, The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute today released an extensive data book that reveals significant differences in economic, education, health, and housing outcomes in Utah by race, ethnicity, and sex. The  differences, while multi-layered and complex, show Utah’s minority populations (with a few notable exceptions) are more likely to have less income and wealth, higher poverty rates, lower educational achievement and attainment, less home ownership, and higher housing cost burdens. This panel discusses the data and explores solutions and what we can expect in the future by exercising these solutions. 

Panel:

  • RyLee Curtis, Director, Community Engagement, University of Utah Health
  • Dustin Jansen, Division Director, Utah Division of Indian Affairs
  • Tony Milner, Director, Housing Stability Division, Salt Lake City
  • Sidni L. Shorter, PsyD, President & CEO, Utah Black Chamber

Moderator:

  • Tracey Dean, Chairwoman Emeritus, LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce

A Conversation with Governor Spencer J. Cox on Diversity & Inclusion in Utah
Grand Ballroom

Governor Spencer J. Cox will have conversation on diversity and inclusion in the state and highlight the One Utah Roadmap.

Breakout Session #1

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Today’s Workplace: Preventive and Proactive Legal Solutions
Salon G/H

DEI questions and opportunities continue to expand in the corporate world. Legal issues related to gender, gender identity, and race continue to surface regularly. How can employers take appropriate steps and avoid potential legal pitfalls? This presentation will outline the current and developing law at the federal level and in Utah and highlight some actions companies can take to stay in compliance and make progress in DEI.

Topics include: gender salary gaps, policy reviews, hiring outreach, complaint process/resolution, diversity training, and ways to demonstrate diversity accomplishments

  • James Moss, Employment Law Partner, Payne & Fears

How to Start a Diversity Initiative That Works
Deer Valley

We know diversity in the workplace is more important than ever and has a direct return on investment to your organization. Knowing where to start can feel daunting. In this presentation, Nicole Carpenter with the Women’s Leadership Institute will share the first seven things you can do for a D.I.V.E.R.S.E. workplace, without pointing fingers or placing blame. Even if you are not ready for a full diversity initiative now, your company can start diverse practices that lead to ongoing successes later.

  • Nicole Carpenter, Director, Women’s Leadership Institute

Organizational Barriers That Limit the Impact of the Chief Diversity Officer
Salon I/J

When organizations center “white ideology” through the interpretation and execution of its mission, leadership, values, and operations, they inadvertently establish structural barriers that prohibit social change in the workplace. In this presentation, the author further investigates these organizational barriers as well as the ways in which they limit the overall impact of social justice-oriented roles, such as the CDO.

  • Dr. Teshia Koffi, Founder/CEO, Capacity Consulting and Development

How Diverse is Your Diversity?
Alta-Snowbird (2nd Floor)

Utah’s businesses, governments, and NGOs must acknowledge there is a systemic lack of representation of diverse voices within their leadership and development practices. DEI centers inclusivity and employee wellbeing as central facets of success; and to bring those values to life, companies must implement programs and initiatives that actively make their offices more diverse, equitable and inclusive spaces. Latinas, female Asian, Native American, and Pacific Island voices are disproportionately excluded from the conversations needed to promote these programs. Join us to learn what you can do to combat this systemic issue.

  • Edward Bennett, Director of Business Development, Suazo Business Center
  • Samantha Eldridge, Director, American Indian Resource Center, University of Utah
  • Victoria Petro-Eschler, Council District 1, Salt Lake City
  • Leslie Nuon, Relationship Manager, U.S. Bank
  • Lisia Satini, Executive Director, Jordan Support Services

Breakout Session #2

We Are All Responsible for Equity: How to Apply Shared Equity Leadership in the Workplace
Salon I/J

Too often, leaders and organizations approach diversity as a numbers game accompanied by training requirements rather than an imperative for true organizational and cultural change. This tends to result in poor retention of talent, persistent issues of discriminatory practices, policies, and behaviors, and no real meaningful or sustainable changes to increase equity or create a culture of belonging. The new model of Shared Equity Leadership (Kezar et al., 2021) is one approach that utilizes research on leadership for equity to outline how institutions can be successful in their equity work by making equity everyones work rather than delegating to those in designated EDI roles. While Shared Equity Leadership originated in higher education, the best practices can be used by all types of organizations to transform their approach to leading for equity.

  • Dr. Amy Fulton, Senior Director, New Leadership Academy, University of Utah
  • Emma E. Houston, Assistant Vice President for EDI & Chief Diversity Officer, University of Utah

Equity as a Business Imperative: The Swinging Door Principle
Deer Valley

Organizations that lead with equity, meaning strive to celebrate and retain a diverse workforce while supporting an inclusive workplace culture, are more successful and better equipped for the future. This session will invite attendees to intentionally understand how by driving business outcomes with an equity lens, assessing who benefits from programs as well as who lacks access, we all rise together. The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs (MCA) is uniquely codified within state law to consult and collaborate with state agencies and partners to frame equity work as good public service and explore how inclusive leadership and buy-in is key. Presenters will explain the value of inclusive leadership for sustainable action as well as debut a tool for asset mapping and community belonging that can reinforce the need to not just celebrate diversity, but retain it.

Additionally, MCA uses the “swinging door” principle to invite the audience to explore the value of advancing initiatives that take into consideration the holistic inclusion of both internal and external stakeholders. This principle will visually and conceptually remind organizations that all outputs and outcomes need to be paired with reciprocating community and workforce impact and experience.

  • Nubia Peña, Senior Advisor – Equity and Opportunity to Governor Cox and Director, Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs
  • Miguel Trujillo, Training & Research Coordinator, Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs

DE&I Programs Should Look Like the Company
Salon G/H

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have become imperative for nearly every major corporation. The calls for substantial systemic change require organizations to do more than make pledges – they must install practices that make real change. This presentation will introduce the audience to creating organizational change through the CAPE process. The process assures leaders they understand their own organization?s DE&I from the beginning and can construct the right DE&I plan to make real long-systemic organizational change.

  • Jason R. Thompson, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Western Governors University

Equality Utah: The Utah Way – Finding Common Ground
Alta-Snowbird (2nd Floor

The Directors from Equality Utah will talk about how to establish common ground around difficult topics. They’ll share strategies for bringing people together in our hyperpolarized world.

  • Olivia Jaramillo, Director of Public Outreach – Diversity & Inclusion Trainer, Equality Utah
  • Troy Williams, Executive Director, Equality Utah
  • Mindy Young, Managing Director, Equality Utah

Awards Ceremony & Lunch Program

Honorees:

  • Large Business (250+ employees): Northrop Grumman

  • Medium Business (51-249 employees): GSBS Architects

  • Small Business (Less than 50 employees): Target River

  • Non-profit organization: Tech Moms

  • Government organization: Salt Lake County

  • Award in Excellence: Utah Muslim Civic League

Lessons Learned for Partnerships Supporting Business Diversity

As part of Salt Lake County’s Center Of Opportunity Partnership (CO-OP), it works with 15 partner organizations to serve over 1,500 lower income and diverse small businesses every year. CO-OP achieves its mission through a shared commitment to elevate partner organizations that elevate their communities and create economic opportunity for all. This panel will provide lessons learned by partner organizations, which can inform summit attendees’ future work to support business diversity.

Panelists:

  • Jevon Gibb, Economic Development Director, Salt Lake County
  • Gloria Mensah, Executive Director, GK Folks Foundation
  • Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou, CEO, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources
  • Liz Pitts, CEO, Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
  • Luna Banuri, Executive Director, Utah Muslim Civic League
  • Antonella Packard, Economic Development Manager and CO-OP Program Manager, Salt Lake County

Breakout Session #3

Implementing Legally Compliant Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives
Alta-Snowbird (2nd Floor)

Holland & Hart employment attorneys will provide attendees with information to empower companies to consider, formulate, and implement legally compliant diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; programs; and/or committees. We also will present the business case for developing and implementing a DEI plan related to a company’s workforce and culture and how such a plan positively affects the bottom line. At the same time, we will underscore and educate about a recent trend of successful lawsuits filed by employees who claim to be adversely affected by their employers’ DEI programs. View our publication, “Moving Beyond Traditional Workplace Trainings,” for a more in-depth overview of DEI training offering.

  • Bryan Benard, Partner, Holland & Hart
  • Mickell Jimenez, Partner, Holland & Hart
  • Engels Tejeda, Partner, Holland & Hart

Utilizing Individuals with Disabilities: What Supervisors Need to Know
Salon I/J

Disability and Employment 101. This session will cover the basic information on the ADA, how it applies to recruiting, hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities, disability etiquette, available resources and how to connect for more support.

  • Leah Lobato, Director, Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
  • Josh Rodeback, Business Relations Supervisor, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation

Inclusion in Branding, Messaging & Marketing
Deer Valley

An important element of DEI is not only the personnel who work for an organization, but also the population they serve. Certain populations segments are frequently excluded by an organization, often unintentionally, by their brand guidelines, the advertising messaging they create, the forms of marketing they choose, and the data points they select to market to. This presentation will include important data related to the impact this exclusion has, the ways this affects various populations, and provide key takeaways to address these issues to ensure no population is missed, ignored, or neglected.

  • Brian Epperson, CEO, Target River
  • Ross Romero, Principal/CEO, Inclusion Strategies

Am I a Jerk? How to Recognize (and Combat) Implicit Bias
Salon G/H

In this empowering and engaging presentation, Stacy leads a discussion on some of the ways Implicit Bias affects the work environment, from the C-suite down. Everyone has some sort of bias and the only way to work through it is to recognize, accept, and own it. Stacy provides tools and actionable strategies for attendees to implement in their personal and professional settings to recognize their own biases, chart a course for correction, and create lasting change in their lives. She challenges the status quo and encourages historically excluded groups (and their allies) to not only lean into the proverbial table but to speak up and be heard. Stacy creates a welcoming space for what can often be clumsy, uncomfortable conversations. This presentation is a must for any organization wanting to improve its diversity and inclusion efforts.

  • Stacy Bernal, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, See Stacy Speak

Breakout Session #4

DEI in Support of a Commitment to Health Equity
Alta-Snowbird (2nd Floor) 

Data show that a person’s health is determined not just by their genetics or personal choices, but overwhelmingly by other factors that exist within and beyond the community in which they live. Further, it is widely accepted that the disparities that exist across communities are a result of inequitable systems and actions. Thus, consistent with its cause, Regence has made a commitment to health equity and to making the health care experience simpler, better and more affordable. This cross-functional panel will discuss Regence’s DEI strategy, highlighting the surging behavioral health needs exacerbated by the pandemic as well as ongoing economic challenges, while sharing internal and external initiatives to address health equity and reach its most vulnerable members.

  • Tonya Adams, SVP Consumer Experience and Operations, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
  • Michael Ann Benchoff, Assistant Director, Health Equity, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
  • Donna Milavetz, M.D., M.P.H., FACP, Executive Medical Director, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
  • Kayla Norman, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
  • Miguel Rovira, Director of Community and Business Relations, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah

Discover Winter
Salon I/J

Discover Winter is a program aimed at increasing the diversity in Utah’s ski and snowboard industry. Currently, only three percent of Utah’s skier visits are from non-white/Caucasian snowsports enthusiasts. During the 2021?22 ski season, Ski Utah set out to change this. With Utah being home to an increasingly diverse BIPOC community, in January 2022, Ski Utah and six of its member resorts came together to provide the opportunity to 150 of these diverse Utahns to experience The Greatest Snow on Earth®.

This program was made possible through a grant from the Utah Office of Economic Opportunity, the Larry H Miller Foundation and the generosity of Utah’s ski resorts. Many companies and individuals came together to donate equipment and clothing and volunteers faithfully showed up each week to chaperone and encourage the participants. The program began in January 2022 and continued through March 2022.

Participants for the program were recruited from the Future Scholars of Africa, the Mountain Life Christian Church of Park City and Weber State University. They were from 27 different African countries, Venezuela, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain and one Native American reservation. There were also members from the LBGTQ+ community.

Learn more about the impact of the Discover Winter program and what else can be done.

  • Raymond Christy, Airport Senior Planner, Salt Lake City Department of Airports
  • Raelene Davis, Vice President of Marketing & Operations, Ski Utah
  • Dave Fields, President/GM, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
  • Lamont White, Artist

Culture, Talent & Data: Gauging Organizational Resistance and Readiness for Diversity & Inclusion
Deer Valley

This panel discussion will unpack the significant yet underexamined notion of organizational preparedness in initiating and advancing diversity and inclusion efforts. Specifically, the panel of subject matter experts in communication, culture, research, law, and community engagement will highlight how culture, leadership, data, and community partnerships both inform and determine an organization’s readiness or resistance to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the organizational infrastructure, which has a direct impact on organizational productivity and sustainability.

  • Marin Christensen, Co-Founder, Vice President, Utah Child Care Cooperative
  • Richard Leverett, Director of External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T
  • Sidni L. Shorter, PsyD, President & CEO, Utah Black Chamber
  • Tamara N. Stevenson, Ed.D., Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, Westminster College

Making Allyship Easy: Seven Tactics Anyone Can Use Today
Salon G/H

Inclusion and allyship are at the top of every business priority list, but we don’t always know where to start. Whether you’re in HR, Management, or an Individual Contributor, these 7 tactics will help you be a better workplace ally.

  • Rachel Cottam, Director of B2B Content, Clearlink

*Breaks: 10:05-10:15 a.m., 11:00-11:15 a.m., 12:00-12:20 p.m., 1:15-1:30 p.m., and 2:15-2:30 p.m. 

2022 HONOREES

Utah’s Business Diversity Summit Award – Large

Honors an organization with 250+ employees

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Utah’s Business Diversity Summit Award – Medium

Honors an organization with 51-249 employees

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Utah’s Business Diversity Summit Award – Small

Honors an organization with <50 employees

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Utah’s Business Diversity Summit Award – Non-Profit

Honors a non-profit organization

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Utah’s Business Diversity Summit Award – Government

Honors a government organization or agency

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Utah’s Business Diversity Summit Award – Award in Excellence

Honors an outstanding community organization

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2022 SPEAKER INFORMATION

More speaker information to come.

Gov. Spencer J. Cox

A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Spencer J. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,247 residents located about two hours south of Salt Lake City. He graduated from Snow College, Utah State University and Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Cox met Abby Palmer at age 16 and they have been smitten with each other ever since. After Spencer’s service as a missionary in Mexico, the couple married and moved away to continue their education. Gov. Cox launched his career as an attorney clerking for U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart and began building a successful law practice at a Salt Lake City firm, Fabian & Clendenin. He returned to Fairview to join the family business, CentraCom, as vice president and general counsel.

In Fairview, Gov. Cox served as a city councilman, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before being appointed to serve as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013.

Gov. Cox has spoken out and led out on some of the state’s most daunting challenges including the current coronavirus crisis, homelessness, suicide prevention and bullying. His efforts contributed to Utah’s unprecedented prosperity while fulfilling his constitutional mandate to ensure free and fair elections as the state’s chief election officer. Cox is a vocal advocate for civility in politics, and he’s committed to improving education, strengthening the economy, bolstering Utah’s rural communities, supporting public health, and ensuring opportunity for all Utahns.

Gov. Cox and wife Abby are proud parents of four children: Gavin, Kaleb, Adam and EmmaKate. He and his family enjoy spending time in Utah’s amazing backcountry. He also plays the bass guitar with his brother in a local rock band.

Lee Rubin

For twenty years, Lee Rubin has been building high-performance teams in both corporate America and the collegiate and professional sports world, setting the foundational cornerstone for a leadership and culture-building mindset focusing on the key components that create extraordinary teams.

This strong core foundation was instilled early in Lee’s life as he held the position of captain of the Penn State football team, and later went on to serve as a Human Resource Executive building senior leadership teams for some of the countries’ most prominent corporations which have become dominate leaders in their industries.

Lee has emerged as one of the most engaging and sought-after voices across the country with his unique ability to understand and articulate winning principles with tremendous clarity and practical application on team building, leadership, and peak performance.

Lee has collaborated with and taken the stage for leading Fortune 500 Companies, like Johnson & Johnson, Sony, and JP Morgan, to name a few, as well as collegiate and professional sports teams and organizations across the country.

Tonya Adams

Tonya Adams leads strategy and execution for Regence’s enrollment and group administration, customer and provider service, claims, technical services and provider operations. Tonya oversees the overall performance of the member experience team with the goal of simplifying the member journey and supporting Regence’s customer satisfaction objectives.

Tonya is a seasoned health care executive with 20 years of health plan business and operational experience, leading large teams in a variety of functional areas. Prior to joining Regence, Tonya was vice president of operations for Molina Healthcare in California, where she was responsible for enrollment and billing, appeals and grievances, claims adjustments and payment integrity. Tonya has also held senior leadership positions with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and Anthem.

Tonya was honored as one of the 2022 Portland Business Journal Women of Influence. She serves on the boards of the American Heart Association and Cambia Health Foundation. Tonya has a bachelor’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Luna Banuri

Luna Banuri is co-founder and Executive Director of the Utah Muslim Civic League, which she helped establish as a network to amplify Muslim voices across the state in public policy and understanding. Utah Muslim Civic League’s mission is to educate and empower citizens to be civically engaged in political and non political action.

She relocated to Salt Lake City from Chicago in late 2014 and quickly became involved in the local community by the virtue of her global experiences and her involvement in her childrens’ schools. She and a group of Muslim Utahans launched the UMCL in 2018 to educate and
empower Muslim Utahans to be civically engaged voting, advocacy and service. That year, her team helped empower 15,000 registered Muslim voters and a constituency of 60,000 Muslims across Utah from 120 different nationalities.

Today, UMCL advocates for social justice reform through public policies that celebrate diversity and prioritize the inclusion of all Utahans into civic life and community building. Since the pandemic began, they have supporting COVID testing and vaccinations in the
broader Muslim community and supporting Afghan refugees make a new home in Utah.

Luna is also the founder of Utah Muslim Women’s Alliance, serves on the leadership team of Utah women and politics PAC, and the Mayor of Salt Lake City’s Human Rights Commission (2018) and to Governor of Utah’s MLK Commission (2019). She has participated in a number of prestigious fellowship programs, including the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Leadership Utah, USC’s American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute, the inaugural cohort of the Public Leaders for Inclusion Council by America Indivisible and Aspen Institute Inclusive America Project.

Her service also includes the Executive Committee for the Parliament of World Religions Conference held in SLC, and the boards of the Emerald Project, Institute of Salt Lake Arts Academy, Social Policy and Understanding, Tanner Center for Human Rights, Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, Utah Women in Film and Television, Utah Presents and UVU’s Interreligious Advisory Council.

Bryan Benard

Bryan Benard represents both private and public clients in wrongful termination, harassment, and discrimination claims in both federal and state courts, as well as in administrative proceedings before federal and state agencies. His employment litigation experience includes jury trial success and significant wage and hour class action success in both Utah and California. He provides sound counsel to clients regarding employee relations, employee contracts, and employee handbooks, with extensive background with non-compete and non-solicitation provisions. Bryan’s experience transcends several industries, including temporary staffing agencies, startup and tech companies, health and medical fields, package delivery industry, oil, gas and mining operations, and mortgage/lending institutions. As a father to five racially diverse children, Bryan grasps the challenges diverse employees face daily and how to help organizations build DEI initiatives to ensure a level playing field.

Michael Ann Benchoff

Michael Ann leads strategy and execution for Regence’s health equity program to advance equitable access, quality and outcomes for health plan members. Before joining Regence, Michael Ann led health care quality and performance improvement programs for Medicaid health plans, community-based organizations and hospital and clinic settings. She has a background and education in social work with a focus on health equity and behavioral health.

Edward Bennett

Edward founded his own consulting company, Noa Murphy, in 2011, to coach, mentor, and train individuals and organizations. He uses a Social Entrepreneur approach to analyze complex social problems, create sustainable market-based solutions, and learn management practices to formulate strategies, lead impactful organizations, and develop business plans that include finance, economic logic, and marketing campaigns. He recognized his penchant for lifting others in the beginning of his career. Prior to starting his own company, he worked in academia for 15 years, leading and developing our community’s future leaders.

In 2018, Edward was recruited to join the Suazo Center because the Center’s leadership knew his strengths in organizing people and processes. Since he joined the Center, he has been instrumental in helping transform the Center into the premier technical assistance, training, and advocacy organization for Utah’s underserved communities. While focusing on helping others realize their potential, Edward is also an advocate for lifelong learning, continually working to improve himself. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with minors in Political Science and Psychology from Westminster College of Salt Lake City and is pursuing an MBA from Western Governor’s University. He has also attained professional certifications in several fields, including two in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through which he has been able to become a leader in the DEI field.

In addition to his professional roles, Edward is actively engaged in the civic responsibilities of local government and politics, representing his community at several levels, as well as serving on numerous professional, civic, and community Boards, all while being an active member of his faith community. Edward has a son, a daughter, a step-daughter, and a wife who are the ultimate reasons why he dedicates his life to serving others, to be an example to all those around him. He spends as much time as he can traveling the world with his family (Portugal is a favorite), hiking, camping, living, laughing, and loving. Oh, and he has two dogs and two cats that complete his joyful little world.

Stacy Bernal

Stacy Bernal (she/her/hers) is a TEDx speaker, author, and DEI consultant at See Stacy Speak LLC. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Weber State University with a BA in Communication and earned a certificate for Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She proudly serves as the Chair of the Ogden City Diversity Commission, a board member of the statewide Autism After 21 initiative, and she sits on several other nonprofit boards. As the mother of an autistic son, she founded Awesome Autistic Ogden, an autism appreciation event turned community resource, as well as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Bernal Badassery Foundation.

Stacy is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to live their biggest and most authentic lives. An outspoken advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and representation, Stacy is known to challenge the status quo on occasion. She has been featured on HuffPost, Thrive Global, Visit Utah, Scary Mommy, and Autism Parenting Magazine. In 2019, she published her first book, The Things We Don’t Talk About: A Memoir of Hardships, Healing, and Hope. She is a 2022 honoree of the Living Color Utah awards and she is currently running for an elected seat to the Ogden School Board.

Nicole Carpenter

Nicole Carpenter serves as the director for the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI), a 501(c)3 working with organizations to elevate Utah women in business and in politics. In addition, Nicole serves on the Board of Directors for Reading Horizons and Stampin’ Up!

Previous to WLI, Nicole advocated for women as an author, speaker and founder of MOMentity.com, which was an online community for overwhelmed moms. Nicole was a syndicated columnist for 5 years and is the author of “52 Weeks to Fortify Your Family: 5-minute messages” (Cedar Fort 2015).

Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations from Weber State University and has been running the communications show for her own brand and past clients since 2007. She also has experience in human resources, employee management, training, sales, marketing, and customer services.

She and her husband Marty Carpenter spend most of their free time raising four children ages 17, 15 and 12-year-old twins. She panic purchased a puppy during the pandemic, so now she’s also the dog-mom she swore she’d never become.

Marin Christensen

Marin Christensen is co-founder of the Utah Child Care Cooperative (UC3), which helps employers and decision makers understand and implement a wide range of child care policies. She is the former Associate Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) at Utah State University, where she managed research teams that focused on the myriad of issues that women in Utah face, and most recently oversaw both quantitative and qualitative research on Utah women of color. Prior to that, Marin was a researcher at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute where her team led many community research projects to learn more about how Utahns are faring in the state. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Utah studying structural and cultural barriers for working women.

Raymond Christy

During the past 19 years, Raymond Christy has worked to create opportunities for small businesses seeking contracting opportunities in the transportation industry. As an Airport Senior Planner DBE Coordinator, Raymond is responsible for establishing small business contract goals for concessions and federally funded construction contracts at airports operated by Salt Lake City Department of Airports. He is also responsible to hold concessionaires (food & beverage, retail and rental car contracts) and contractors accountable for small business participation on federally assisted contracts.

In addition to establishing contract goals on airport federally assisted procurements, Raymond is responsible for monitoring and DBE enforcement on federally assisted contracts. Additionally, Raymond is the Labor compliance officer on federally assisted construction projects. He ensures contractor employee are paid the correct wage for the various types of federally funded construction work performed.
During his career, Raymond has received the 2019 Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Advocate of the Year Award, 2018 Airport Minority Advisory Council’s (AMAC) Advocate of the Year Award, 2015 Albert B. Fritz Civil Rights Award from the Salt Lake Chapter of the NAACP, and 2015 Purple Star Award for Dedicated Volunteer Service to the Epilepsy Association of Utah.

Rachel Cottam

Rachel Cottam believes in a world where the titles “working moms” and “stay-at-home dads” disappear. A world where men lift women in the workplace at the same time that women lift men at home. A world where we accept that every situation is different and assume positive intent.

As a high school English teacher turned marketing director, Rachel went from a female-majority career to being the only woman in the office. While she’s loved her time in the Utah tech scene, she also sees the need to bring men into the gender equality conversation—creating allies, not enemies.

Rachel created the “Allies at Work Playbook” to share easy tactics to level the playing field—for women and other minority groups. You can download it for free at rachelcottam.com. She continues to share her story on LinkedIn and feels lucky to interact with so many leaders in the diversity space.

Currently, she is working as the Director of Marketing at Clearlink, and has also worked at local startups, leading the Women of Divvy ERG. More than anything, she loves her husband and three feminist kiddos.

RyLee Curtis

RyLee Curtis is a Utah native. She graduated with a dual degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of Utah, where she also received her master’s degree in Public Policy. She worked on Medicaid policy in Utah for many years, before joining University of Utah Health as the Director of Community Engagement. In this role, she is leading the Hospital’s Healthcare Anchor Institution work, engaging with community based organizations to address Social Determinants of Health, and building partnerships across University of Utah Campus, University of Utah Health Plans, and the University’s Hospital.

Raelene Davis

Raelene Davis has directed Ski Utah’s local, national and international marketing efforts since 1985. As Vice President of Marketing and Operations she has been instrumental in creating partnerships that have secured millions of dollars in revenue for Ski Utah as well as millions of dollars of publicity for skiing and snowboarding in general. Davis was the publisher of Ski Utah magazine, (2012–2019), the founder of Ski Utah’s successful 4th, 5th and 6th grade ski programs, the co-architect of the National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Bring a Friend initiatives and the designer of Ski Utah’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, Discover Winter. Davis’ passion for Utah, skiing and growing the sport was acknowledged when she was selected to be an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, inducted into the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame in 2010, recognized by NASJA with their 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award and by the Utah Ski Archives with their Sue Raymer Award in 2019 for volunteerism. She serves on many boards, is an accomplished photographer and enjoys skiing, golf, traveling, cooking and spending time with family and friends. She is the mother of three sons, grandmother of eight and lives with her husband, Lyle in Salt Lake City.

Tracey Dean

Tracey Dean is a licensed Investment Advisor Representative with Innovation Partners and is the founder and president of Tracey Dean Financial, LLC. She is an energetic, hard working, trustworthy partner who works in different facets of the financial services industry.

Samantha Eldridge

Samantha (she/her) is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She currently serves as the Director for the American Indian Resource Center at the University of Utah. Samantha has over 10 years of experience in local, state and tribal government and academia. Her career in public service began at the State of Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs. In 2014, Samantha relocated to Washington, D.C. to serve as the senior advisor to American Indian/Alaska Native outreach at the National Education Association. She was then appointed as a policy analyst to serve on the executive staff for the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President. While in D.C. Samantha advanced educational and social justice policies and practices increasing equity, access, and opportunities for Indigenous youth.

In 2019, Samantha returned to Salt Lake City to pursue a PhD in political science. Samantha’s research focuses on the historical and institutional structures that create inequitable policies, practices, and barriers that impede the success of Indigenous communities; particularly, in matters of public administration, representation, and governance.

Samantha serves on the Salt Lake City Commission on Racial Equity in Policing. She is a former board of director for Racially Just Utah and National Indian Education Association; and graduate of the Women’s Leadership Institute. Samantha’s prior teaching experience includes serving as a faculty member for the AT&T Center for Indigenous Politics at The George Washington University and Ethnic Studies at the University of Utah.

Samantha is a past recipient of the University of Utah Equity and Diversity award and 2021 recipient of the Student Affairs Diversity Committee Pursuit of Inclusion award. Samantha received a B.A in Sociology and M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

Brian Epperson

Brian Epperson is the CEO of Target River, a full-service marketing and advertising agency headquartered in Salt Lake City. Under his stewardship, Target River has grown into a beautifully diverse organization with staff in eight states and four countries that serves clients in education, nonprofit, public sector, for-profit, and health care. Brian is passionate about service to others as represented by his volunteerism in the areas of education, sexual assault, active duty personnel, and veterans as well as his involvement with various committees of the Salt Lake Chamber.

Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou

Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou is a Co-Founder & CEO of Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) a 7 year old Community powered 5O1C3 non profit started out all volunteer based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Susi was born in the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific, is a trans-racial adoptee, immigrated to the US when she was 12 years and grew up in Vernal, Utah.

Susi wears many hats, she is a proud community health worker and a proud certified peer support specialist. Is an ex felon, survivor of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Susi is a community builder, a serial entrepreneur, a mentor, a connector and a maximizHER.

Susi has received many awards and accolades received the 2022 National ACE Advocate of the Year Award, Utahs 40 over 40 awardee, 2021 Forbes Magazine 50 over 50 Impact list, 2019 FBI Directors Community Leadership Award for the State of Utah and made the 2021 Forbes Magazine on 50 over 50 Impact list and the 50 Enlighted of Utah.

Susi is married to Simi Poteki and has a fur baby, Preacher2 and has lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for 12 years.

Dave Fields

Dave Fields is the President and General Manager of Snowbird Resort in Utah. A native of Salt Lake City, Fields joined Snowbird in 2000 and has held a variety of positions at the year-round mountain resort. After 10 years of working in Snowbird’s Public Relations, Marketing and Ticketing, Fields became Vice President of Resort Operations in 2010. Fields became Snowbird’s General Manager in 2017, and in 2018, Fields became President and General Manager. Fields is a graduate of the University of Utah and has two children, Charlie and Meredith, with his wife Melissa.

Dr. Amy Fulton

Dr. Amy Fulton is the Director of the New Leadership Academy at the University of Utah. The New Leadership Academy is a national leadership development program focused on leading for equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and related fields. Amy earned her PhD from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan and holds a BFA, Honors BA, and MEd from the University of Utah. Prior to her role as Director, Amy served for five years as a senior graduate student researcher for the New Leadership Academy, previously hosted by the National Forum on the Public Good at the University of Michigan. From 2008 through 2015 Amy held various leadership positions at Western Governors University (WGU), an online non-profit and competency-based institution. Her expertise includes organizational leadership, organizational theory, student social movements, and issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education.

Jevon Gibb

Jevon Gibb is Economic Development Director for Salt Lake County, where he launched a new portfolio for Economic Opportunity after joining the County in December 2020. This portfolio includes the Economic Inclusion Community Assistance Program (EICAP). He came to Salt Lake County from MetroHartford Alliance, an economic development organization in Hartford, Connecticut.

Jevon began his career in international development and law before pivoting into US-based regional economic development via short stops in consulting and start-ups. He has worked as an officer and attorney in the US Navy, a management consultant, and a kindergarten teacher. He is passionate about economic opportunity, helping people achieve their potential, and building social impact programs.

Emma E. Houston

Emma E. Houston serves as the University of Utah’s Assistant Vice President of EDI and Chief Diversity Officer for the Division of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion where she provides leadership for university-wide EDI initiatives. Prior to joining the University, she was appointed and served for four years as the Director of Diversity Affairs for Salt Lake County Government. With over two decades of transformational development experience, Ms. Houston has demonstrated strong diversity leadership skills, managed diversity councils, and facilitated numerous diversity training programs. Ms. Houston is a well-known community organizer who currently serves on several non-profit boards and is the former chairman of the Utah MLK Commission.

Dustin Jansen

Dusty Jansen is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Dusty grew up on the Navajo reservation in the community of Coyote Canyon, NM. He currently serves as the Director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs and also as an Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies at Utah Valley University. Dustin has been working in Indian law and Indian Affairs since 2005. Dustin and his wife Chauma have been married over 21 years and have four children. They currently reside in Mapleton, Utah.

Olivia Jaramillo

Olivia is a Strategic Leadership Consultant and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Specialist. She is currently Director for Public Outreach at Equality Utah. She was born and raised in Mexico. She’s a retired United States Air Force Veteran, where she served on tours to Iraq, Europe, and humanitarian missions into Africa. In 2016 she was one of the first individuals nationwide to legally change her name and gender marker while still serving on Active Duty. She has worked in furthering DEI efforts for several companies and Organizations including the YMCA, Qualtrics, Dominion Energy, EDC Utah, and Adobe. She is a member of the YWCA’s Public Policy Committee, and was a political candidate in 2020. She currently lives in Salt Lake City with her son Oliver.

Mickelle Jimenez

Mickell Jimenez advises business owners and management on the full spectrum of employment issues, providing up-front guidance to help businesses effectively mitigate risk. When disputes arise, Mickell draws on her substantial experience in state and federal court to defend clients in litigation, administrative and regulatory hearings, and alternative dispute resolution forums. She brings 20+ years of experience serving as outside General Counsel to Cafe Rio, Inc. to help start-ups effectively manage the challenges and opportunities facing nascent businesses, particularly in the food and beverage industry. As one of the few Latina partners in a preeminent law firm in a city with few female partners, let alone Latina partners, Mickell leverages her unique perspectives to ensure clients create effective DEI initiatives compliant with the law.

Dr. Teshia Koffi

Dr. Teshia Koffi is a scholar-practitioner and researcher who specializes in the transformation of organization structures and processes to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments are both operational and palpable throughout organizational functions. Academically, Dr. Koffi’s research investigates the ways in which adverse socio-political ideologies influence decision-making processes among executive-level leadership. It then further addresses why these ideologies are perceived to be essential for organizational effectiveness. Dr. Koffi is also the Founder and CEO of Capacity Consulting and Development, an organization development/DEI consulting company that engages in the diagnosis, intervention, implementation, and assessment of organizational structures in order to better achieve DEI outcomes. When once asked in an interview why Capacity Consulting and Development approaches DEI from such a critical and research-based framework, Dr. Koffi responded, “Because I’m not in the business of educating people to death. The DEI space has become oversaturated with conversations, education, and programming. Those approaches have a distinct purpose, but somehow people have come to conceptualize workshops, training, panels, and charismatic speakers as the solution. I don’t align with that. I want outcomes, and we work with organizations who desire the same, period.” Capacity Consulting and Development continues to positively impact and transform organizations across the United States.

Richard Leverett

Richard B. Leverett is currently the Director of External and Legislative Affairs for AT&T’s Mountain West operations covering state and local government and community relations in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Before moving to Salt Lake City, Richard spent seven years with AT&T Indiana where he was a registered lobbyist and hackathon host, all while promoting efforts to close the digital divide in communities through investment in infrastructure and technology education. Before joining AT&T, Richard served as City Attorney and Chief of Staff in his hometown of Gary, Indiana and his tenure included national recognition for partnerships and innovative work that netted millions of dollars in new grants for the city and the launch of two apps and an open data website dedicated to city initiatives.

During his tenure with AT&T, Richard has maintained his dedication to corporate community impact, serving on the boards of several community and civic foundations, colleges, and community financial institutions. Richard also advises numerous startup companies and apps. Richard has a law degree from the University of Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Richard also holds certificates in Venture Capital from VC University and Privacy Law and Data Protection from Northwestern University.

Leah Lobato

Leah Lobato is the Director of the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and Business Relations with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation a division of the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). The mission of this position is to help promote the employment and retention of individuals with disabilities in competitive employment by promoting public and private partnerships and efforts. She networks, connects with and trains state, regional and national employers. She has a BS degree from the University of Utah and is a Certified Public Manager. Leah coordinates with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD), Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), and other partners on various projects supporting employment of individuals with disabilities. Leah has worked with individuals with disabilities in varying areas of services. She has worked with adolescents with mental health issues and she has also acted as the coordinator for house affairs for disabled adults in independent living environments. She is on the board of Utah’s Chapter of Job Placement and Development, a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Utah Rehabilitation Association, Utah Diversity Connections, Salt Lake Chamber Diversity Council, Salt Lake City Accessibility and Disability Commission and the Disability:IN Utah Steering Committee.

Gloria Mensah

Gloria Mensah is the Executive Director of GK Folks Foundation. A non-profit organization based in Utah that is focused on creating scholarship opportunities for African students and refugees. Mensah’s efforts include providing mental health, educational & entrepreneurial resources/opportunities for African students in diaspora to pursue their platforms, goals, education and succeed in school with the intention of giving back to their respective African countries. Gloria sought to support African immigrants and refugees by paving a way for them to showcase their culture, realize their individual potential and gain access to a variety of resources necessary to propel their dreams and bring their goals to fruition.

Gloria enjoys empowering women in the community. Acknowledging the paucity of women within the exercise of leadership, she seeks to support women in their journey to become leaders in their place of work while simultaneously playing their part as active and involved community members.

Dr. Donna Milavetz

Dr. Milavetz recently joined Regence and is excited to work in a member-centric environment. She has 20 years of clinical experience in internal medicine so is well suited to oversee population health. Dr. Milavetz also holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and trained at one of Harvard University’s teaching hospitals. Prior to joining Regence, Dr. Milavetz was on the faculty at the Mayo Clinic and co-director of the Women’s Heart Clinic.

She then went on to become the medical director of the Intermountain Healthcare McKay Dee Women’s Health Center in Ogden, Utah. After that position, she started an employer-based primary care company named OnSite Care. In 2019, she sold the company, and went on to senior executive positions with Steward Healthcare where she was responsible for running the clinical operations of its Accountable Care Organization. Volunteerism is important to Dr. Milavetz, as she currently serves as a board member for Jewish Family Services.

Derek Miller

Derek Miller is the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance.  The Chamber is the state’s oldest business association that “stands as the voice of business.” In this role, Derek leads the business community in advocating and leading Utah’s continued economic prosperity.

Previously, Derek served as the president and CEO of the World Trade Center Utah, helping to “Promote prosperity across the state by attracting investment and increasing exports.” He also served as Chief of Staff to Gov. Herbert and as Managing Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development for Gov. Huntsman.

Recognizing his leadership, Gov. Herbert lauded Derek as, “an architect of economic opportunity and innovation,” and “instrumental in transforming Utah into one of the most competitive and fastest growing economies in the country.”

Derek began his career in Washington, D.C. as a management consultant with Arthur Andersen and as legal counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He is a graduate of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and holds a Master of Public Administration from the Romney Institute of Public Management at Brigham Young University.

Tony Milner

Tony Milner is the Director of the Housing Stability Division of Salt Lake City. Previously he was the Director of Housing and Case Management at Utah Community Action, and the Executive Director of the Family Promise – Salt Lake shelter and housing program. Tony graduated from the University of Utah with a Master degree in Public Administration, he participates with a range of affordable housing planning organizations, is a Utah native, married, and the father of three awesome children.

James Moss

Jim Moss is the managing partner of Payne & Fears’ Salt Lake City office, and he also works extensively with California clients from the firm’s Orange County, CA, office. He defends employers in court and before administrative agencies in all areas of employment law, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, class actions, and trade secret litigation. He has obtained summary judgment or trial victories in numerous employment law cases. Jim has extensive experience counseling clients on wage-and-hour issues, family and medical leave, disability accommodation, employee privacy, and various other employment law matters. He also represents clients in traditional labor matters including organizing, collective bargaining, strikes and picketing, and has represented employers before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Jim also represents business clients in trade secret, non-competition, unfair business practice, and general commercial litigation. Jim frequently lectures on employment law subjects for in-house attorneys and human resource professionals. Before joining Payne & Fears LLP, Jim was an associate with Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal (now Dentons) in Los Angeles. He served as a law clerk to the Honorable A. Andrew Hauk of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. Outside of the office Jim enjoys skiing, biking, and traveling with his family.

Kayla Norman

To further Regence’s efforts to ensure every person has access to whole person care, no matter what, Kayla leads community engagement initiatives through coordination of employee volunteerism, matched giving, nonprofit board service and community investments. With a background in volunteer management and program development, Kayla works to harness the power of good to strengthen our communities.

Leslie Nuon

Leslie Nuon is a Sales Manager of Business Banking and Vice President at US Bank. She is a graduate of Westminster College. Prior to US Bank, she was with Zions Bank for 13 years as a Relationship Manager in Business Banking. She also spent many years working with Diverse Markets on diversity initiatives, financial literacy, and small business lending with an emphasis on Latino and Asian markets within the bank. Leslie is also graduate of the Executive Development Program in 2013. She serves as Past Chair of Utah Bankers Association Emerging Bank Leaders. She serves on several boards including American Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Advisory Council, Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce, Salt Lake County Council of Diversity of Affairs, Asian Association of Utah, and Westminster College Alumni Board.

Antonella Packard

Antonella Packard has served in Senior Management capacities for various international companies, including Fortune 500 corporations. Her professional background covers several industries, from Banking, Construction, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, and Healthcare. She presently owns a medical device and building materials company. Ms. Packard has a B.S. in Business and a Master of Business Administration.

In 2008, Business Connect Magazine named Ms. Packard as one of Utah’s 20 Most Influential Hispanics. She served as the Executive Director for the Utah County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, Ms. Packard promoted workforce diversity initiatives with mainstream business and supplier diversity certifications among Latino, multicultural, and women-owned businesses, in addition to promoting other initiatives geared toward strengthening these businesses in the region. She serves as Economic Development Manager for Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development.

Community service is very important to her; she serves on several local and national boards. She was the first State Director for Utah’s League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

Ms. Packard hails from the Caribbean coast of Honduras. She lives in the picturesque city of Saratoga Springs, which lies on the shores of Utah Lake.

Nubia Peña

Nubia Peña is the Senior Advisor on Equity and Opportunity to Governor Cox and the Director for the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs where their mission is to promote an inclusive climate for Utah’s growing diverse community through training, outreach and youth leadership development. Peña is immensely grateful for the extensive experience acquired during the past 15 years working as a community organizer, advocate, and ally for systematically marginalized populations. She has the great opportunity to facilitate dialogues amongst local and national leaders on complex topics of inclusion and racial justice working to create equitable access in services and resources for historically disenfranchised communities.

Peña also designs and implements various workshops on creating culturally relevant, and gender-specific programming, specifically when working with youth and adolescents. Peña is a proud former member of the zealous team at the Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys where she advocated for youth rights during detention and delinquency proceedings.

She is certified by the National Juvenile Defender Center as a Juvenile Training Immersion Program facilitator. In addition, Peña is a national consultant dedicated to bringing awareness to intersections of trauma and the School-to-Prison Pipeline, an epidemic that targets our most vulnerable youth by streamlining them into the juvenile justice system. She also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law.

Peña has actively sought to bring awareness to issues of violence and systemic oppression through her professional endeavors and personal faith-based initiatives. She has a decade of experience assisting survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking,
and violent crimes as a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate. Since 2007, Ms. Peña has served as the Training and Prevention Education Specialist at the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) where she developed trainings on Youth Advocacy for Trafficked Survivors, Social Justice in Prevention Efforts, and Sexual Harassment in the #MeToo Era.

Peña received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in May 2016. During that year, she was selected as one of 25 law students in the nation to be recognized and highlighted for her social justice activism in the National Jurist, a leading news source in legal education. She was also selected as the recipient of the National Juvenile Justice Network 2019 Emerging Leader Award due to her longstanding commitment to youth rights, empowerment, and leadership development. Peña was named in Utah Business Magazine’s 2020 40 Under 40 award recipients, recognized among the 2020 Heroes for Utah Philanthropy Day, selected as Sundance Film Festival 2021 Women’s Leadership Celebration honorees and recently awarded the Utah Business Magazine’s Living Color recognition for service in driving equity and inclusion in the state.

Victoria Petro-Eschler

Victoria Petro-Eschler has a passion for fostering positive social change and using the opportunities presented to us to encourage positive outcomes for all people. Prior to living in Salt Lake City, Victoria earned a bachelor’s in music therapy at East Carolina University, studied Musicology at Brandeis University, and earned a master’s degree in International Studies with an emphasis on Non-profit Management and Public Policy from North Carolina State University. Since then, she has worked for several non-profits and as a Diversity Consultant. Her work as a consultant focused on actionable strategies to address inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in many different settings.

As the Executive Director for Salty Cricket, a non-profit dedicated to building community through music-based activities, she encouraged sustainable and strategic development for young and diverse communities. She also served on the Historic Landmark Commission, the Utahns for Culture and Cultural Alliance Boards in 2020, and as the 2019 Salt Lake City Deedee Corradini Emerging Leader award winner.
Victoria is mother to 4 – 3 school aged children and 1 adult. She serves on the Salt Lake City Council as the representative for District 1 – the Northwest Quadrant of Salt Lake City, which she knows to be the coolest place to live in all of Utah.

Liz Pitts

Liz Pitts is a Salt Lake City native and has for many years been a social justice activist and community volunteer in Utah and elsewhere. Liz served as the Utah Pride Festival Director in 2017 & 2018. She was also on the founding Board of Project Rainbow Utah and is one of the producing directors of the Redrox Music Festival.

They earned bachelors degrees from the University of Utah in Women’s Studies & Political Science and a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. Liz is a librarian by trade and worked for many years in enterprise system sales, technical sales operations, event management, and training before pivoting to a career in local LGBTQ+ non-profit work.

Liz is a mother and an avid skier. She loves travel, live theater, all things outdoors, and operates a ski lift in their spare time.

Josh Rodeback

Josh Rodeback is a Business Relations Supervisor with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. He has been with USOR since 2012, working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Counseling Supervisor. He has a Master’s of Rehabilitation Counseling from Utah State University and a Bachelors in Psychology from the Utah Valley University. Josh is passionate about helping people with disabilities gain suitable employment to increase their independence and helping to connect employers with the best possible employees.

Ross Romero

Prior to starting his own Government Relations and Diversity & Inclusion consulting firm, Ross was a senior advisor at Michael Best Strategies. Before that he was a vice president in the Community Development Group for Zions Bank. In that role, he assisted local and state government and corporate accounts with banking and business operation needs, working with elected and appointed officials in Utah and Idaho, and advocated with Utah’s U.S. Congressional members.

Previously, he was a shareholder with a full service law firm in Salt Lake City, where his legal practice focused in federal and state courts as trial counsel.

Miguel Rovira

Miguel Rovira is the Director of Business and Community Relations for Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.  He has 30+ years of business development and public relations experience.  Mr. Rovira creates long-term value for organizations through relationship building, strategic planning and brand messaging.  Prior to joining Regence, he was the Director for International Trade for the Americas with Governor Huntsman’s Office of Economic Development and practiced law early in his career in Washington, D.C.

Lisia Satini

Lisia has her hands in a few things and works heavily with the community. She recently opened the Jordan Support Services agency after working in the Home Visitation Program as the Supervisor for Children’s Service Society of Utah for 7 years. Her and siblings continue to honor her mother’s late passing as a partner owner of Sesi’s Best Fry bread, a Food truck business after 13 years just recently opened up a location in Millcreek City. At the beginning and currently during this pandemic, her and the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition team of Community Health Workers have been spearheading the Covid 19 work to keep the Pacific Islander community safe and well connected with the FREE up to date resources. She has a love for helping where she can and has also helped out her husband with the Jayhawks Program, a youth and men’s nonprofit dedicated to the west side of Salt Lake City. During her free time she enjoys traveling and checking off her bucket list.

Sidni L. Shorter, PsyD

Sidni L. Shorter, PsyD is President and CEO of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce an entrepreneur, and a fierce advocate and practitioner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Sidni is the CEO of ExecuteNow! a client-­‐ focused finance and accounting firm with a mission to ensure non-­‐profits and small to mid-­‐sized organizations have affordable access to capital, prudent financial management, and forward-thinking leadership. Sidni acquired ExecuteNow! and led the organization to develop and implement programs for national clients to address the disparity in access to affordable capital and investments for minority and women-led businesses. This expansion includes partnering with businesses, government agencies, academic institutions, faith-based and community development organizations, and communities seeking to advance and promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) values in the development of their workforce and communities served, while enhancing their business practices, decision-making processes leading to positive financial impact.

Returning to the South led to the focus and intentional efforts for DEI. Sidni has successfully advocated, designed, and initiated results-oriented programs, plans, processes, workshops, training, dialogues, and discussions for senior leaders, people managers, and staff that encourage learning, reflection, awareness, and understanding as well as community-building. With growth, progress, and just outcomes as the goal.

As a servant leader Sidni prioritizes relationship building and authentic engagement. An advocate for change and a social entrepreneur, her career and efforts are directed towards her passion for entrepreneurs, and business leaders in their pursuit of access to affordable capital with growth, progress, and just outcomes encompassing diversity, equity, and inclusion as the goal.

Sidni holds a Doctorate in Biblical Psychology a Master’s in Theology, two Bachelor’s degrees in General Studies (concentration in Behavioral Science) and Theology, and is a Licensed Christian Therapist. She is currently a dean’s list student pursuing an MBA at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. Sidni believes great leaders are serial learners and exceptional listeners. Sidni is a 2022 40 Women Over 40 winner, Member, and Mentor for Women Who Succeed, Expect The Great Board Member, and Utah Talent, Education, Industry, and Alignment Board Member. Sidni is an executive coach and mentor. She is also an accomplished playwright, director, and producer for community theater.

Dr. Tamara Stevenson

Tamara N. Stevenson, EdD, is Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this role, she provides direct oversight of DEI and leadership toward strengthening and sustaining diversity, equity, and inclusion in the College’s operational infrastructure, inclusive of its policies, practices, and procedures. She most recently served as an associate professor in the college’s Communication program. As an administrator-scholar, Dr. Stevenson’s research and practice explore the rhetorical activities of educational institutions as organizational sites of power through a critical race lens. A first-generation college student from Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Stevenson earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and her master’s degree in organizational communication from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She worked in corporate communication in various organizations and industries in the metropolitan Detroit area for more than a decade, including print and broadcast journalism, automotive, health care, and K-12/higher education. Dr. Stevenson later returned to school to earn a specialist of arts degree and a doctorate in educational leadership with a concentration on community college leadership from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Dr. Stevenson is the first African American hired into the college’s Communication Program, the first to earn multi-year faculty contracts, and the first to advance in academic rank to associate professor. In 2020, Utah Business Magazine selected Dr. Stevenson as an honoree of the publication’s ‘30 Women to Watch” and she was chosen as one of seven candidates to join Cohort 7 of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s (NADOHE) 2020-2021 Chief Diversity Officer Fellows Program.

Engels Tejeda

Engels Tejeda is a trial lawyer who represents businesses and individuals in a wide range of commercial disputes. He draws on over 14 years of courtroom experience when advising clients on risk mitigation, conducting internal investigations, and shaping effective narratives around hotly contested issues. A first-generation American, Engels attended law school in between overseas deployments with the US Army Reserve, and became one of a handful of black, Latinx, or openly LGBTQ+ partners at an AMLAW 200 law firm in Utah. He has dedicated much of his legal career to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Utah legal and business community.

Jason R. Thompson

Jason R. Thompson is an accomplished professional, with more than 25 years of experience specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion, community outreach, program management, strategic planning, and public relations. Proven ability to think strategically & creatively around DE&I application to HR, the business, and employees. A results-driven visionary with a stellar record of success developing and executing diversity strategies and programs that engage multiple stakeholders and drive business goals. He has developed and led award-winning diversity programs in higher education, sport, healthcare, and tech including the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Jason is known for his practical, outcome-based approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Jason’s book, Diversity and Inclusion Matters, is a handbook for DE&I professionals, CEOs and HR executives that provides a clear blueprint and tools for a successful DE&I program. Jason is the co-founder of CAPE Inclusion, a minority-owned DE&I software solutions company, that was founded based on the CAPE method.

Miguel Trujillo

Miguel Trujillo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Social Work PhD candidate at the University of Denver. He has worked with numerous non profits, community agencies, school districts, and institutes of higher education to create equitable practices for thriving systems. His research focuses on developing greater equity for students of color throughout the educational pipeline. As a practicing clinician and small business owner, he also is passionate about developing change in policy and practice to support the mental health needs of our systemically impacted communities.

Troy Williams

For the past two decades, Troy has been a community organizer for LGBTQ Utahns. In 2004 he became community affairs director of 90.9 FM KRCL. He was the executive producer and co-host of the talk show RadioActive. In 2010 the Salt Lake Tribune dubbed him “the gay mayor of Salt Lake City.”

Troy’s work has since been featured in the New York Times, Anderson Cooper 360, CBC Q, Democracy Now!, The Advocate, OUT Magazine and Interview Magazine. In 2010 he co-wrote the award-winning play, The Passion of Sister Dottie S. Dixon and in 2011 appeared in the Errol Morris film, Tabloid.

Troy became the executive director of Equality Utah in the fall of 2014. In 2015 he helped pass Utah’s historic LGBTQ non-discrimination protections in housing and employment. In 2016, he led efforts to rename 20 blocks of downtown Salt Lake City as “Harvey Milk Boulevard”. In 2017 he worked to successfully overturn the state’s ‘No Promo Homo’ law which prohibited discussion of LGBTQ issues in the classroom. In 2020 he led the campaign to successfully protect minors from the dangerous practice of conversion therapy.

Lamont White

While born and raised in the NYC metro area, Lamont Joseph White has a deep love and connection to the mountains spaces.

Thematically, inclusion is crucial in his artwork. It’s often said that race doesn’t matter or that color isn’t seen. He prefers, instead, to observe our differences so that we can better embrace them and create opportunity. “Skiing In Color” is a celebration of representation and inclusion in the ski and outdoor spaces.

“I’m painting what I’m imagining could be, while hoping one day I’ll be painting what is.”

Mindy Young

Mindy B. Young has extensive experience in film, theater, education, and advocacy. Holding both a Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah, she uses her creative touch to inspire program development, connect organizations and maximize collaboration. Mindy has spent years engaging young people and adults in public speaking, performing, curriculum planning, arts integration, and performance at Southern Utah University and Utah Valley University, along with other schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Mindy has been awarded Best in State for Teaching and is a Coca-Cola Distinguished Educator. She has been a guest presenter on 511 Talk, All Ears English, a featured presenter at the International TESOL conference and on TEDx. As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Mindy is delighted to be utilizing her creative, educational and administrative skills in several capacities at Equality Utah including developing their Business Equality Leader program featuring branded Diversity and Inclusion trainings. Mindy has been producing, directing and starring in spectacular events and shows for over 18 years including Equality Utah’s annual Allies Dinners featuring stars such as Tyler Glenn, Gloria Steinem, Chelsea Handler and the Allies Gala featuring Billy Porter. Her most fulfilling role is that of mother of 5 fantastic boys.