Who We Are
YWCA Utah is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
YWCA is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community.
Our local programs and services have furthered YWCA Utah’s vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1906. Over the past 118 years, our programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for women, teen clubs, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations, an early education center, a youth resource center, and aquatics programming.
Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.
YWCA Utah MISSION
Our Values
Non-Violence
Building Safe Environments
Emotional Intelligence
Managing Feelings
Social Learning
Respecting Ideas
Democracy
Shared Decision Making
Open Communication
Saying What You Mean, Not Being Mean When You Say It
Social Responsibility
Teamwork
Growth & Change
Creating A Hopeful Future
Equity
Our Team
Senior Leadership
-
Liz Owens
Chief Executive Officer
Liz Owens thrives when working with those around her to achieve the grand, beautiful mission of YWCA Utah to eliminate racism and empower women. More than two years as CEO grounds her in the direction of promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity.
-
Saundra Stokes
Chief Mission Impact Officer & Chief of Staff
Saundra has worked within the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, and her passion for racial equity, transformational justice, inclusion and belonging is present in all she does. Her goal is to work alongside others to create collective understanding
-
Kiki Chmielewski
Chief Development Officer
A recent Utah transplant, Kiki Chmielewski brings 10 years experience to lead fund raising efforts, donor relations, and external communication. She thrives when she is building connections, and enjoys engaging the community in our mission.
-
Maggie Utgoff
Chief People Officer
Maggie is passionate about challenging systems rooted in white supremacy that have dominated workplace culture. She loves to encourage managers to challenge the things they have learned about management and think of new ways to invest in employees.
-
Mindy Maude
Vice President of Domestic Violence and Residential Services
Domestic Violence and Residential services are led by Mindy, which include a full service shelter, transitional housing, daily meals, mental health and counseling services, case management, job interview preparation, services for children, and more. here
-
Gabriella Archuleta
Vice President of Race and Gender Equity and Director of Public Policy
With an emphasis on race and gender equity, YWCA's advocacy efforts are lead by Gabriella who works alongside policy makers, coalitions, and community members to promote meaningful policy change.
-
Cassie Brood
Vice President of Operations
The Vice President of Operations oversees YWCA's internal operations focused on systems, technology infrastructure, logistics, project management, facility maintenance, business office, etc.
Program Directors
-
Alma Solis
Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator
The Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator helps build community connections and volunteer opportunities which are a critical part of YWCA Utah's organizational success.
-
Ally Anderson
Supportive Services Director of Case Management
The Director of Case Management oversees case management and housing coordination teams in our crisis shelter and transitional housing programs, providing trauma-informed supervision and promoting survivor-driven, anti-oppressive practices.
-
Ermiya Fanaeian
Marketing & Communications Manager
The Marketing & Communications Manager handles external partnerships for fundraising, campaigning, and media opportunities including interviews and speaking engagements or questions regarding content on the website and social media.
-
Evelyn Cervantes
Director of Organizational Transformation & Belonging
The Director of Organizational Transformation and Belonging leads and supports the development and implementation of YWCA Utah’s Race and Gender Equity Initiatives internally and in the community.
-
Heather Grauke
Director of Development
Development is the fundraising arm of the organization, and the Director of Development (DoD) supports the frontline fundraisers with data tracking, reports and analysis to raise funding needed to meet the needs of the people we serve.
-
Jakey Siolo
Senior Engagement & Major Gift Officer
The Senior Engagement & Major Gift Officer plans and executes a major giving program, corporate and donor engagement strategies, and supports annual campaign activities and signature fundraising events.
-
Kaylynn Lance
Controller
YWCA Utah's Controller leads our finance department by nurturing it's development, analyzing and interpreting intricate financial data, upholding accuracy and compliance, and working towards organizational fiscal well-being.
-
Laura Dalton
Director of Food Services
Having been the Food Services Director of YWCA Utah since 1997, Laura directs all kitchen staff, ensuring families on our campus receive fresh meals three times a day, and are able to work towards empowerment without worrying about their next meal.
-
Marcella Viladiu-Gattis
Assistant Director of Children's Services
The Assistant Director of Children’s Services coordinates in the daily oversight for all programs within the department and assists in all aspects of compliance, program regulation, accreditation, licensing, staffing, and development of curriculum.
-
Maya Reyna
Director of Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center
The Director of the Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center is responsible for managing daily walk-in services, establishing partnerships to enrich service provision, and seeks out ways to improve the accessibility of domestic violence resources.
-
Rachael Cervantes
Director of Children's Services
The Director of Children's Services leads YWCA Utah's Lolie Eccles Early Education Center, a community based childcare center serving children from 6 weeks to 6 years - and after school services and teen programming for minors living at YWCA Utah
-
Vanessa Colocho
Director of Domestic Violence and Residential Services
The Director of DV and Residential Services co-leads and assists in maintaining resident safety and direct access to campus and community wide resources through managing processes and procedures.
-
Veanna Pau'u
Assistant Director of Clinical Services
The Assistant Director of Clinical Services co-leads and assists in supporting participants, from youth to parents, through a trauma-informed practice, to meet their needs to achieve safety and security and work toward healing.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of women leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for Utah.
2023 – 2024 Officers
Shawna Cuan | Chair
CEO, Elevated Energy Solutions and Advisors
Wendy Hobson-Rohrer | Vice Chair
Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine/Health Sciences Education at University of Utah Health
Shireen Ghorbani | Chair Elect
Director of Community Health, Intermountain Healthcare
Lisa Brown Miranda | Secretary
Associate Director of Admission, Rowland Hall School
Petrina Youhan | Treasurer
Director of Risk, Internal Controls & Compliance, Workday
Directors
Ashley Anderson
Owner, Promodo
Danielle Norman
Financial Controller at Oquirrh Recreation and Parks District
Kathryn Holmes
General Counsel, Westminster College
Lisa Andrues
Sallie Mae Bank (Retired)
Luna Banuri
Executive Director, Utah Muslim Civic League
Lori Harding
Region Welfare & Self-Reliance Mgr., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lynne Nilson
Director of Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, Utah Department of Health (Retired)
Mary Cardon
Jennifer Smith
Cindy Yamada Thomas
Ross Romero
Shawna Cuan
Miguel Rovira
Shawn Newell
Katherine Venti
Phyllis Hockett
Liz Owens
Julianne Wallace
Kiki Chmielewski
Marika Jones
Chief Philanthropy Officer, University of Utah Health
Monet Maggelet
Program Officer, Call to Action Foundation
Neelam Chand
CEO, Shift SLC
Nicole Salazar-Hall
Attorney,Parsons Behle & Latimer
Pam Giles
Director Customer Revenue Management, Dominion Energy
Selma Mlikota
Manager of Marketing Award Lines, OC Tanner Company
Board Member Ex Officio
Liz Owens (2020– )
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Utah
Community Advisory Council
Lori Teske Hudson
Phil Hudson
Mary Schubach McCarthey
Tom McCarthey
Paula Green Johnson
Kathie Miller
Mary Anne Berzins
Key Dates in YWCA History
Financials & Annual Reports
YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and we’re committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!
FAQs
-
Email info@ywcautah.org for general inquiries
Call our Business Office at 801-537-8604
-
Visit www.ywcautah.galaxydigital.com to sign up or email Volunteer@ywcautah.org
-
Please reach out to our 24-hour Crisis Line at 801-537-8600 or contact advocates@ywcautah.org
-
Email communications@ywcautah.org or call 385-370-8821
-
Please visit
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?envid=p-JiS_yYtjQkuol_2dEI52Yg&formId=40ddf1db-29ee-4d0c-9066-a6fecec46097&svcid=renxt&zone=usa