Emily Meadows is the Statewide Outdoor Recreation Planner for Utah’s Division of Outdoor Recreation, holding a Master’s in City and Metropolitan Planning. She specializes in guiding sustainable recreation development and advocates for rural communities by assisting them in navigating the complex planning challenges of Gateway and Natural Amenity Regions. A Utah native, Emily is driven […]
Kaitlin Marousis has 20 years of experience in the environmental and transportation industries and brings a GIS-heavy background to her work. She is passionate about making sure our transportation system works for all users, loves data, and if she can make a map to help tell the story, her day is made.
Joseph Anderson serves as the Statewide Risk Reduction Programs Manager for the Utah Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands, overseeing both the Cooperative Wildfire System and the new High Risk WUI program. WUI, or Wildland-Urban Interface, are areas where communities and natural landscapes meet. In this role, he facilitates the […]
Brad is an Assistant Professor of Wildland Fire Science in the Wildland Resources Department at the Quinney College of Natural Resources with Utah State University Extension. After more than 33 years in wildland fire management with over 400 wildland fires, Brad retired in 2021 from federal wildland fire service having worked with the Bureau of […]
This panel will discuss the connections between rising wildfire risk and growing challenges in the property insurance market. Join one of Utah’s leading wildfire researchers, the state WUI coordinator, and the Utah state insurance commissioner as they discuss how HB 48’s risk maps could influence planning decisions, development patterns, and the availability and affordability of […]
Jennifer McBride has more than 23 years of experience in wildland fire. She currently serves as the Wildland-Urban Interface Program Coordinator for Utah’s Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. She brings extensive knowledge of fire behavior, fire effects, and hazardous fuel loading to her work. Her career has included work […]
Lance is the current General Manager at historic Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon City, Utah. Ruby’s Inn is a fourth-generation family owned business and has been serving guests to Bryce Canyon National Park since 1916. Lance has been the General Manager since 2007. He is a 2003 graduate of Southern Utah University with a bachelors […]
Karen Wolf, FAICP, is the Immediate Past President of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a longtime public-sector planner who recently retired after 30+ years advising elected leaders in King County, Washington. She teaches as an affiliate instructor at the University of Washington (Urban Design & Planning; Civil & Environmental Engineering) and serves on […]
Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City’s 36th mayor, was first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. A longtime advocate for clean air, equity, and sustainable growth, she previously served on the City Council and co-founded Breathe Utah. Her administration focuses on resilience, affordable housing, and ensuring all residents share in the city’s success.
Vellachi Ganesan is a designer, artist, and educator who has worked internationally with light for over a decade. Founder of Studio Jyothi (Studio of Light), she explores the poetic, technical, and healing qualities of light while also advocating for the preservation of dark skies. Her work includes global light installations, responsible lighting design, and teaching […]
Spencer W. Brimley is the Assistant City Manager (ACM) for Clearfield City. In his role he helps to strengthen organizational culture, and support the city’s mission of building, “ A Place Where People Want To Be.” Spencer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Real Estate […]
Christine leads the Salt Lake City Building Structures team, and she has extensive experience in the design and restoration of parking structures and buildings for numerous municipalities, private developers, and higher education institutions nationwide. Her expertise includes designing new buildings and evaluating and rehabilitating existing structures. Christine’s design and rehabilitation projects encompass a broad scope […]
