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Anthropology (8)


Edward R. Christensen

BS Anthropology
MS Anthropology
Ph.D. Anthropology

Docent
Utah Museum of Natural History

Edward R. Christensen has achieved wide intellectual, accomplishments in a variety of academic and professional fields, and is devoted to civic and social service. He graduated from the, University of Utah in 1948 with a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in, Chemistry in 1949. Edward then completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology, in 2009.

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Terri Fain

BS Anthropology
MS Sociology

Artist

Terri "T. C." Fain trained at the Skinner Museum of Art, Palo Alto Artist's League and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She has also benefited from working with local artists and their styles including the abstraction of John Grillo, spare eastern beauty of Q Holmes, classical style of Barbara Johnson and spontanaiety of Louise Minks.

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Michael Bird

BS Anthropology

National Consultant
National Policy Council for AARP

Michael E. Bird is a Santo-Domingo/KEWA Pueblo Indian from New Mexico. Mr. Bird has more than 30 years of public health experience with Native American populations in the areas of medical social work, substance abuse prevention, health promotion and disease prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, behavioral health, and healthcare administration.

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Misty Frost

BS Anthropology

CEO
CareerStep

Misty’s passion is for building company value though building consumer value. As CEO of CareerStep, Misty drives the vision and strategy behind building learning experiences that allow individuals to enter and then grow their careers in healthcare.

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Economics (55)


Richard Davis

BS Economics

Senior Manager of Insights and Analytics
Vehicle

Rich Davis is Senior Manager of Insights and Analytics at Vehicle. Vehicle uses personalized video to drive loyalty and reduce churn, enabling brands to make one-to-one connections with their consumers. Increased customer engagement is accomplished through hyper-targeted, dynamic and personalized video or rich media via digital advertising and messaging mobile channels. In his role, Rich optimizes targeting strategies and campaign insights to key Vehicle clients.

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Jeff Dixon

BS Political Science
Economics

Nevada State Director
The Humane Society of the United States

Jeff Dixon received Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah. While attending college Jeff was awarded the Young Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Social and Behavioral Science.

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John Simmons

BA Economics

Regional Director
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

John Simmons is a seasoned leader with over 28 years of experience in the financial services industry, including a proven track record of opening and building new branches and expanding regions for the largest firms in the industry. He has held sales and management roles with firms such as Prudential Securities, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley.

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Mark Hardy

HBS Political Science
Economics

Managing Director
Deerwood Capital Group

Mark has spent his career in the Private Equity Market, either as a Private Equity Investment Professional or as an Advisory Consultant to Private Equity Firms and privately held businesses. Most recently Mark assisted privately held businesses prepare for realization, develop exit strategies and execute sales.

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Environmental and Sustainability Studies (4)


Brandon Lee

BA Political Science
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Principal
ABS Consulting

Director, Environmental and Economic Policy and Regulation, Lee leads and manages projects related to environmental, regulatory, economic, and security risk-related issues for ABS Consulting, a maritime risk firm. He has led projects analyzing environmental impacts in the Western U.S., regional, national, and international air emissions and climate change, air and water regulations.

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Sara Baldwin Auck

BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Regulatory Program Director
Interstate Renewable Energy Council

As IREC's Regulatory Program Director, Sara is responsible for managing the development of IREC's regulatory strategy, establishing priorities for engagement, and assisting with the strategy implementation.

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Kelsey Howard

BS Geography
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Research Consultant
Boulder Mountain Consulting, LLC

Kelsey Howard is currently attending graduate school at the University of Utah in the geography department. Her Master's research is focused on studying paleoecology and spring productivity in Utah's west desert by reconstructing past fire and vegetation histories, as well as past climates through the use of pollen and charcoal from wetland sediments.

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Jason Robison

BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Fellow
Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Harvard College

Professor Robison's research and teaching interests generally revolve around water law and related areas of environmental and natural resources law and policy. He began his work in this field while earning a B.S. in Environmental Studies at the University of Utah and subsequently completed a J.D. at the University of Oregon School of Law, as well as an LL.M. and S.J.D. at Harvard Law School.

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Family and Consumer Studies (14)


Erin Trenbeath-Murray

BS Family and Consumer Studies
MS Family and Consumer Studies

Regional Chief Development Officer for the Utah/Nevada Region
American Red Cross

Erin is responsible for the blood donations and financial giving of the region through a team of executive directors and regional philanthropy officers. Erin has over 20 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. Her career spans from being an early childhood teacher, to instructing at the University of Utah, to CEO of a large non-profit organization.

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Jenny Stout

Family and Consumer Studies

Undergraduate Advisor
University of Utah - Family & Consumer Studies

In 2007, Jenny Stout received two bachelor's degrees: one in consumer and community studies and one in human development and family studies. She is now an academic advisor for the Department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah.

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Mary Chase Tommaney

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Advertising

Mary Chase Tommaney grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. She graduated from the University with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics and went on to the University of Southern California for a Masters in Merchandising. Returning to Salt Lake, she became Assistant Advertising Manager in a large fashion department store, later leaving for summer in Europe with school friends.

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Ron Dichter

BS Family and Consumer Studies

CEO
BlueDog Business Services, FortisPay, SIX PAC OTG

Ron Eliot Dichter is a serial entrepreneur who got his start while still attending the University of Utah. His first venture, Eliot Management Group, was sold by Dichter in 2010 and still operates in 15 states today. Dichter then started a national leading credit card processing company, BLUEDOG, which was later merged into FortisPay where Dichter currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer.

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Geography (8)


Don Lewon

BS Geography

Owner
Dixie Metal Recycling

Don Lewon has been an exemplary leader in and supporter of the University, the College, and the community. He received a B.S. in Geography from The University of Utah.

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Kelsey Howard

BS Geography
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Research Consultant
Boulder Mountain Consulting, LLC

Kelsey Howard is currently attending graduate school at the University of Utah in the geography department. Her Master's research is focused on studying paleoecology and spring productivity in Utah's west desert by reconstructing past fire and vegetation histories, as well as past climates through the use of pollen and charcoal from wetland sediments.

Read more about Kelsey Howard

Charles Sensiba

BS Geography

Partner
Troutman Sanders LLP

Charles Sensiba is a partner in the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, LLP, in Washington, DC. He provides strategic counsel and legal representation to public utility districts, state governmental entities, investor-owned utilities, water districts, independent power producers, and developers on the full spectrum of complex licensing, natural resources, and environmental issues related to hydropower development.

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Brian Haslam

BS Geography
MS Geography

President | CEO
Cityworks | Azteca Systems, Inc.

Brian Haslam earned his bachelor's degree from Geography in 1986, followed by his master's degree from Geography with a GIS emphasis in 1990 from the University of Utah. In 1986, he established Azteca Systems, Inc. to provide mapping update services for the US Forest Service Geometronics national mapping center located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Health, Society and Policy (6)


Marlowe Dazley

BS Health, Society and Policy

Senior Vice President, Managing Director
Health Catalyst

Marlowe Dazley is senior vice president and managing director at Health Catalyst, a leading provider of data and analytics technology and services to healthcare organizations, committed to being the catalyst for massive, measurable, data-informed healthcare improvement.

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Nathan Vassiliades

BS Health, Society and Policy

Dentist & Owner
Queen Creek Smiles

Nathan Vassiliades completed a BS in Behavioral Science and Health and then went on to complete dental school at the Marquette University School of Dentistry. Nathan has volunteered for Give Kids a Smile, Sealants for Smiles, the American Red Cross, and Cancer Wellness House.

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Alexis Lee

BA Health, Society and Policy

Programs Manager
University of Utah

Alexis Lee is a Programs Manager in Wellness and Integrative Health at the University of Utah. On the WIH Team, Alexis primarily helps to manage department finances, Wellness Outreach events, and ongoing program development. Alexis is a proud University of Utah graduate with a BA in Health, Society, and Policy and a BS in Exercise and Sport Science.

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Maziar Nourian

BS Health, Society and Policy
Minor Psychology
Minor Chemistry

Mentor
LEAP College of Health Program

Maziar M. Nourian is a graduate from the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science in Health Society and Policy as well as minors in Psychology and Chemistry ('13). Nourian will continue his education to complete a Doctor of Medicine in 2019.

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Master of Public Administration (23)


Shauna Graves-Robertson

Master of Public Administration

Justice Court Judge
Salt Lake County

Shauna Graves-Robertson has served as a Salt Lake County Justice Court Judge since 1999. She received her Law Degree and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Utah.

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Janine Donald

Master of Public Administration

Executive Director
Elements Traverse

Janine is the Executive Director at Splore, a nonprofit adventure company which specializes in providing life-changing outdoor adventures for people of all abilities. Donald is an alumna of Pacific University in Oregon and in 2012, received her Master in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

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Mary Anne Davies

Master of Public Administration

Supervising Attorney
Disability Law Center

Mary Anne Davies is a supervising attorney with the Disability Law Center. She earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah and her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles with a focus on health law and public interest.

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Phyllis Hockett

Master of Public Administration

Principal & Co-Founder
Pathway Associates

Phyllis Hockett is a dedicated philanthropist, and believes in the transformative power of the generosity of volunteers and of donors. Her philosophy of nonprofit sustainability is founded on the principle of abundance and the enormous potential that generosity holds for our world and the nonprofit organizations that serve it.

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Master of Public Policy (3)


Michael Parker

BS Political Science
Master of Public Policy

Vice President of Public Affairs, Marketing and Senior Economist
Ivory Homes

Michael P. Parker earned both his bachelor's in political science and master's degree in public policy with an emphasis in regional economic policy from the University of Utah. He currently serves as the Director of Public Policy for the Salt Lake Chamber.

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Shawn Teigen

MS Master of Public Policy

Research Director
Utah Foundation

Shawn Teigen is the Lumina Foundation Strategy Labs State Policy Adviser for Utah. Lumina is the largest foundation in the United States that focuses solely on increasing Americans?? success in higher education. It works to increase the proportion of Americans with postsecondary credentials to 60% by 2025. Shawn is utilizing the resources of Lumina??s Strategy Labs with Utah leaders and influencers in an effort to help the state reach its attainment goals.

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Florian Hernandez

Master of Public Policy

Executive Director
Philippines Humanitarian

Florian Hernandez is the Executive Director for Philippines Humanitarian, a non-profit organization, providing funding for the education of impoverished children in the Philippines. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Utah State University.

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International Affairs and Global Enterprise (3)


Kyle Gray

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise

Storyteller, Professional Speaker and Bestselling Author

Right after graduation Kyle was adjunct faculty teaching an entrepreneurship class called The Foundry, helping local Utah entrepreneurs. It was his experience during his degree program and later teaching that helped him get a job with a startup, whose business he helped to grow with annual recurring revenue using just online marketing.

Read more about Kyle Gray

Jeremy Lindsey

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise

Chief Operating Officer
Alpha Warranty Services

Jeremy Lindsey is a winner of the 2017 Utah Business Magazine CXO of the Year award and AE Magazine's Top 40 Under 40.

Read more about Jeremy Lindsey

Mark Pittman

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise
BS Political Science
BS Economics

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Blyncsy

Prior to starting Blyncsy, Mark worked in areas as diverse as political campaigns, start-ups, and even a Fortune 500 Company. Mark was Director of the Lassonde New Venture Development Program at the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah.

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Political Science (84)


Farnaz Kashefi

BA Political Science

Deputy General Counsel
West Coast University

Farnaz (Nanaz) Kashefi was born in Tehran, Iran and raised in Utah after her parents transferred to the University of Utah to pursue their respective Masters degrees in 1986. Ms. Kashefi graduated with a Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Political Science and a Certificate in International Relations in 2000.

Read more about Farnaz Kashefi

Jeff Dixon

BS Political Science
Economics

Nevada State Director
The Humane Society of the United States

Jeff Dixon received Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah. While attending college Jeff was awarded the Young Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Social and Behavioral Science.

Read more about Jeff Dixon

Kevin Huff

BS Political Science

Partner
Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C.

Kevin B. Huff specializes in complex commercial and business litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Mr. Huff represents both plaintiffs and defendants in litigating cases involving business fraud and unfair trade practices, contract and other commercial disputes, disputes arising out of business negotiations and investments, partnership disputes, accounting fraud and malpractice, securities fraud, fiduciary duty and Delaware corporate law, shareholder challenges to corporate transactions, creditor and debtor law, and intellectual property.

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Dave Patton

BS Political Science
Economics
Ph.D. Political Science

Executive Director
Utah Department of Health (UDOH)

Dr. W. David Patton has served as executive director of the Utah Department of Health(UDOH) since March 2011. As director, Patton oversees nearly 1, 000 health department employees with the goal of helping Utah become the healthiest state in the nation.

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Psychology (31)


Charles L. Perschon

BS Psychology

Director of Business Development
North America, Kaspersky Lab

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

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Deedee Corradini

BS Psychology

Businesswoman, Politician
Salt Lake City, Utah

Deedee Corradini was born Margaret Louise McMullen (although Deedee was a childhood nickname) in Providence, Rhode Island. She attended school in Lebanon and Syria for 11 years as a child. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Drew University in 1965, and a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Utah.

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Jeremias Solari

BS Psychology
BS Economics
MS Economics

Assistant Director
Department of Workforce Services

Jeremias Solari graduated from the University of Utah in 2017, 2015, and 2012 with a masters and bachelors in economics, and a bachelors in psychology. Jeremias immigrated at the age of 10 to the United States from Argentina; profoundly impacting his perspective on work, society, economics, and culture.

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Lace Padilla

PhD Psychology

Assistant Professor
University of California Merced

Dr. Lace Padilla is an assistant professor in the Cognitive and Information Sciences department at the University of California Merced. She received a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Neural Sciences and an MFA in Design from the University of Utah. Padilla and collaborators were recently awarded an NSF RAPID award to study uncertainty in COVID-19 data visualizations.

Read more about Lace Padilla


Sociology (23)


Allysann Ingram

BS Sociology

PAQ Program Manager
United States Air Force

A year after graduation, Allysann and her husband moved to Massachusetts. They both secured jobs with the Air Force, working at Hanscom Air Force Base. She is currently working as a Jr. Program Manager and was recently accepted into the Global Studies and International Relations master’s program at Northeastern University in Boston.

Read more about Allysann Ingram

Leigh VandenAkker

BS Sociology

Teacher/Author
Salt Lake City School District

Leigh M. VandenAkker is Utah's 2012 Teacher of The Year and winner of Utah's 2011 Golden Apple Award. She is a 2015 recipient of the prestigious Huntsman Award and the 2016 PeaceKeeper Award. As co-author of Techniques for Tough Times TM, Leigh has trained teachers nationwide, providing insight and support by educating teachers in classroom management and how to teach SEL. She presented recently on Whole Child vs. No Child at SXSWEDU.

Read more about Leigh VandenAkker

Tobie Spears

BA Sociology
BA Political Science

Executive Director
Guatemalan Humanitarian Tours

Tobie says she is lucky enough to have one awesome husband, two amazing daughters, and three crazy cats. Tobie fell in love with traveling when she was 17 and backpacked through Europe and drove from Utah to Canada with her two best friends. In 2013 they drove from Utah to Guatemala where they lived, worked, and volunteered and Tobie's been leading international travel ever since.

Read more about Tobie Spears

Sydnie Simmons

BS Psychology
BS Sociology

Clinical Psychologist
OB/GYN Psychcare, PLLC

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

Read more about Sydnie Simmons


Friend of CSBS (15)


Theresa Martinez

Friend of CSBS

Associate Professor of Sociology
University of Utah

Theresa Martinez completed her Ph.D. in Sociology in 1990 at the University of New Mexico and is currently Associate Professor of Sociology and former Assistant Vice President for Academic Outreach at the University of Utah. Her teaching and research deal with issues of race, class and gender, deviant behavior, juvenile delinquency, and popular culture.

Read more about Theresa Martinez

The Bright Future Foundation

Friend of CSBS

Non-Profit Organization

The Bright Future Foundation is a registered US non-profit organization and works to make a quality education more readily accessible to students domestically and those living in developing nations. This effort is based on the belief that education empowers individuals to pull themselves out of poverty.

Read more about The Bright Future Foundation

Randy C. Emery

Friend of CSBS

Senior Vice President & Surety Division Manager
The Buckner Company

Randy Emery has spent more than 25 years in the commercial insurance and surety industry with a specialization in the construction industry. Currently Senior Vice President and Surety Division Manager for The Buckner Company. Randy provides risk management and surety services to commercial and residential contractors.

Read more about Randy C. Emery

Matthew Theel

Friend of CSBS

Special Education Teacher
Canyons School District

William Matthew Theel graduated from the University of Utah in May of 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies. Formerly under the College of Social and Behavioral Science, it is now housed under the School of Social and Cultural Transformation.

Read more about Matthew Theel

Last Updated: 4/28/23