experience

Education

Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) – December 2006
Member, Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society
University of Utah

Bachelor of Arts – December 1982
University of Utah
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication

Employment

Managing Member
Aspira Public Affairs, LLC
December 2015 to Present 

Adjunct Faculty – Programs of Public Affairs
University of Utah
Summer 2010 to Present

Co-owner
Lone Peak Realty & Management, LC
November 1993 to Present

Director, Division Board
Altabank
October 2022 to Present

Member, Utah House of Representatives - District 24
Utah State House of Representatives: Minority Whip (2014-16),
Minority Assistant Whip (2012-14)
January 2008 to December 2018

Communications Coordinator
Utah State House of Representatives – Minority Caucus
August 2007 to December 2007

Interim CEO
Centro de la Familia de Utah
April 2006 to September 2006
November 2004 to July 2005 – Salt Lake City, Utah

Director of Community Affairs
Centro de la Familia de Utah
August 1999 to October 2007 – Salt Lake City, Utah

Public Relations Coordinator
Utah Museum of Natural History
November 1991 to April 1995 – Salt Lake City, Utah

Public Relations Counselor
Hal Gardiner and Associates, Public Relations
August 1990 to November 1991 – Salt Lake City, UT

Public Relations Manager
Utah Girl Scout Council (Now known as Girl Scouts of Utah)
June 1987 to August 1990 – Salt Lake City, Utah

Public Relations Assistant
Utah Public Employees’ Association
June 1985 to June 1987 – Murray, Utah

Reporter/Writer
Uinta County Herald
May 1984 to June 1985 – Evanston, Wyoming

Honors

Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Utah (2021)

Lt. Governor’s Public Service Award, Utah Philanthropy Day (2020)

Ohtli Award - Government of Mexico, Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) (2019)

Ignacio Zaragoza Award - Lifetime Achievement, Centro Civico Mexicano (2019)

Changemaker, United Way of Salt Lake (2019)

Distinguished Woman Award, American Association of University Women (AAUW) - Salt Lake Branch (2019)

Quintus C. Wilson Alumni Achievement Award, University of Utah Department of Communication (2019)

Legislators of the Year - with Utah Representative Marc Roberts (R-Salem), FairVote (2018)

Government Official of the Year, Community Action Partnership of Utah (2018)

Public Official of the Year, YWCA Utah (2018)

Distinguished Service Award, American Society for Public Administration, Utah Chapter (2018)

Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck Scholarship Fund, Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (2018)

Family Medicine Advocate of the Year, Utah Academy of Family Physicians (2018)

Outstanding Community Service Legacy Award, Neighborworks Salt Lake (2017)

Allies Award, Equality Utah (2017)

Pacesetter Award, Women Legislators’ Lobby/Women’s Action for New Directions (WiLL/WAND) (2017)

Outstanding Service to Children and Families, Utah Association of School Psychologists (2016-17)

"Pay Dirt” Club - Alumni Hall of Fame, Bingham High School (2016)

Community Service Honoree, League of Women Voters of Salt Lake (2016)

Distinguished Alumni Award, U of U College of Social and Behavioral Science (2014)

AARP Capitol Caregiver Award - Utah, (2016,2014)

Pioneer in HIV, Utah AIDS Foundation (2014) 

Community Trailblazer, Women Business Leadership Award, Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2014)

Outstanding Achievement Award – Public Service, YWCA Utah (2013)

Pete Suazo Political Action Award (2013)

You Represented Me Utah Award, Represent Me Utah (2012)

Enlightened 50, Community Foundation of Utah (2012)

Sunshine Award, Utah Society of Professional Journalists (2011)

Latinas en Accion - Lider, Utah Latin-American Chamber of Commerce (2010)

Cesar Chavez Peace & Justice Award, Utah Coalition of La Raza, 2002

Finalist, Zions Bank Up-and-Comers Award (1993)

Utah Hispanic Women’s Leadership Institute (1991-92)

1989 Young Careerist, Utah Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs

Volunteer Community Service

HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors) 
Member, National Advisory Board (2015-Present), Board Chair (2022-24)

Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center
Vice Chair, Board of Directors (2018-Present)

Girl Scouts of the USA
Member, National Board Development Committee (2023-Present)

Democracy Rising
Member, National Advisory Board (2022-Present)

University of Utah National Advisory Council (NAC)
Member (2019-Present)

Compassion and Choices
Member, National Latino Leadership Council (2018-Present)

Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Member, Board of Directors (2018-Present), Vice Chair/Secretary (2022-Present)

Rural Utah Project
Member, Board of Directors (2019-Present)

United Way of Salt Lake/Utah’s Promise
Member, Utah’s Promise Board of Directors (2023-Present)

Member, UWSL Board of Directors (2014-2023)
Co-Chair, Public Policy Committee (2018-2023)
Member, Nominating Committee (2018-2023)
Member, 211 Coordinating Council (2016-2023)
Member, Education and Immigrant & Refugee Integration Change Councils (2007-08)
Member, English Language Opportunities Change Council – Co-chair (2006-07)
Member, Strive Together Racial and Ethnic Equity Action Team (2020-2021)

Plan-B Theatre Company Board of Directors
Board President (2018-20)
Board Member (2015-2023)

Utah Women Run, Hinckley Institute of Politics
Member, Organizing Committee (2011-2023)

USU Utah Women & Leadership Project Ambassador (2019-2023)

Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee
Member (2019-Present)

Governor’s Multicultural Commission (2013-2022)

Governor’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee (2018-20)

Envision Utah
Member, Board of Trustees (2010-19)
Member, Executive Committee (2016-19)

Intermountain Healthcare  
Member, Board of Trustees (2005-13)

ACLU Utah 
Member, Board of Directors (2009-14)

Planned Parenthood Action Council
Member, Advisory Board (2008-10)

YWCA Utah
Member, Board of Directors (2005-08)

Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Member, Episcopal Community Services Board (2016-19)
Member, Standing Committee (2010-13)
Chair, Peace & Justice Commission (2021-23), Member, (2007-14)
Chair, Commission on Ministry, (2002-04)
Member, Communications Committee, (1986-88)

Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission
Member (2018-19)

LDS Hospital
Community Advisory Committee Member (2003 – 18)

Voices for Utah Children
Policy Matters Early Childhood Policy Planning Committee (2007-08)

National Children’s Health Study
Member, Advisory Committee, U of U Vanguard Center (2007-2008)

Utah Coalition for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
Member, Advisory Board (2003-07)

KRCL 91-FM
Substitute host, “Radioactive,” call-in public affairs program (2004)
Co-host, “La Voz de la Gente,” Hispanic public affairs radio program (1989-2003)

Planned Parenthood Association of Utah
Action Council Governing Board (2002-08)
Board of Trustees (1993-2001)
President (1997 – 99)
President-elect/Vice President (1995-97)
Board Development Committee (1996-2002)
Co-chair, Community Services Committee (1994-97)

Utah Women’s Forum 
President (2007-08)
Member (1996 – Present)

Utah Department of Health
Rape and Sexual Assault Media Campaign Committee (1997)

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Southwest Forum, Utah Caucus Facilitator (1996)

American Heart Association, Western Region Affiliate
Latino Task Force – Utah Representative (2001-03)

Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Utah 
Class President (2000-01)

Utah Nonprofits Association/Utah Society of Fund Raisers
Philanthropy Day Committee (2002-03)

Association for Women in Communications 
President, Utah Chapter (1992-93)
Vice President/President-elect (1991-92)
Member (1987-98)

Utah Girl Scout Council Nominating Committee (1999-2001)

NETWORK magazine, Editorial Advisory Board (1995-97)

International Association of Business Communicators (1986-92)
JOBLINE Chair (1990-91)
Intercom (Chapter newsletter), Editor (1988-89)

Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (1987-91)
State Young Careerist Chairperson (1990)

Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff (1988-90)

Western Pacific Gazette 
Managing Editor (1988-90)

Hispanic Women’s Association of Utah 
Managing Editor (1991-1998)

Utah State Democratic Party (1985-Present)
Member, Executive Committee (1993-95)