Our Leadership

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Leadership

More than 100 diverse individuals make up the extraordinary YWCA Utah leadership and staff team. Their skill, dedication, and passion strengthen YWCA Utah’s presence and impact in our community every day.

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.

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.

Jessica Andrews

Chief Financial Officer

Jessica Andrews joined the YWCA Utah as Chief Financial Officer in March of 2021. She has worked in the accounting field for the past 15+ years and feels passionately about quality leadership and anti-oppression practices in the workplace.

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.

Saundra Stokes

Chief of Staff to the CEO and Chief Mission Impact Officer

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

Program Directors

Alma Solis

Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator

YWCA Utah engages with the community and uses volunteers in multiple capacities to fulfill the needs of the organization through tabling opportunities, in-kind donation drives and events, and engagements with all local municipalities.

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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.

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Chris Hanson

Vice President of Finance

The Vice President of Finance leads all of YWCA Utah's financial data collection, budgeting, and grant requirements. Advising all organizational programmatic needs and leadership in their strategic financial planning.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kami Neves, CMHC

Director of Clinical Services

Clinical services at YWCA Utah include mental health resources for residents living on campus and programming that helps our internal community with trauma recovery. Kami Neves has been at the YWCA for 3+ years and implements trauma-informed help.

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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.

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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.

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Marcella Viladiu

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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YWCA Utah Board and Community Advisory Council