Shawna Laws (Chair)
Banking Professional
Shawna has built diverse relationships in Greater Salt Lake over 24 years. Passionate about diversity, she's known as a caring leader who believes in people's potential. Shawna holds a B.S. in Business from theUniversity of Phoenix (2011) and completed a master-level extension program at the Pacific Coast Banking School (2012). Starting as a part-time teller, she's held many positions within the banking profession, driven by a desire to help others succeed financially. Introduced to Volunteers of America through a partnership with an employer, Shawna was inspired by their mission of "uplifting all people." Advocating for others' success is natural for Shawna, who is excited and honored to contribute to Volunteers of America, Utah's impactful work.
Lynn Dahlberg (Chair Elect)
Williams Northwest Pipeline LLC (Retired)
Lynn is former Director of Marketing Services, who oversaw commercial operations for Williams Northwest Pipeline LLC (an interstate natural gas pipeline company) in Salt Lake City. Lynn worked in the natural gas industry for nearly 30 years and was in public accounting for 3 additional years. She holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from Southeast Missouri State University. Lynn believes Utah is a great place to live and she wants to help VOA make it even better by helping the vulnerable population in Utah become self-reliant and healthy.
Gary Murray (Treasurer)
Optum Bank
Gary is Chief Credit Officer of Optum Bank, the leader in Healthcare Savings Accounts. He holds a B.S degree in Business Management-Finance from Brigham Young University. In addition, he earned a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Utah. Gary has worked in banking since graduating and has specialized in providing capital to local, regional, and national businesses. At Optum Bank he focuses on extending credit to healthcare providers that require capital for their equipment or physical facilities. Gary began his involvement with VOA by volunteering at the HYRC and has invited many of his friends and coworkers to volunteer there also. He finds serving with the VOA very fulfilling because some of his own friends and relatives have needed the services that VOA provides to the community.
Brice Laris (Secretary)
Cimetrix
Brice finds, trains, and develops the best software team in the industry in his role as HR Manager for Cimetrix. Previously, Brice worked for Rocky Mountain Power for 14 years as a staffing manager, HR business partner and corporate trainer. Brice also worked for eight years at Discover Card in a variety of roles including IT, customer service manager and senior training specialist. Brice is a graduate of Westminster College with dual bachelor degrees in business and communication; and a master’s degree in professional communication. In his time away from work, Brice, and his husband Kevin, enjoy traveling the world, watching Star Trek and attending as much live theatre as possible. Brice is proud of the VOA Utah's programs, especially those that provide support for the LGBT community, and is grateful to be able to contribute to the success of the organization.
Kathy Bray (President & CEO)
Volunteers of America, Utah
Kathy has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Volunteers of America, Utah for over a decade. Mrs. Bray is a Certified Social Worker who is responsible for the overall management, fiscal stability, and strategic direction of the organization. She is also a commissioned minister of Volunteers of America, Inc. Ms. Bray has more than twenty-five years of experience in direct client service as well as administration of homeless and substance abuse related programs. She has also served as the Director of Detoxification Services and Vice President of Programs during her 20 year tenure. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, American Association of University Women, State of Utah Homeless Coordinating Council, Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee and is a steering committee member of the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness.
Cyndi Baughman
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Cyndi has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2005, specializing in therapy dealing with depression, anxiety, and interpersonal challenges. Her commitment to fostering positive change has been the driving force over her two-decade career.She played a vital role at the Intermountain Specialized Abuse Treatment Center, focusing on screening, evaluating, and treating victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and violence.Cyndi holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and obtained her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) qualification from the University of Loyola, Chicago. She is a volunteer who has held various board positions with arts, community, well-being, and education organizations. She has a passion for positive impact and continues to educate herself on the well-being of individuals and communities.
Tara Bennion
Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services
Tara has fourteen years’ experience in the substance use/mental health community and eleven years working with justice-involved clients in Salt Lake County. Tara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with Criminology certificate from the University of Utah and is a state licensed substance use disorder counselor. She has personal experience with the VOA programs and is a person with lived experience. In her spare time, Tara enjoys watching and attending soccer games, road trips to explore new places with her dog, and photography. She loves the work VOA does in the community and has a passion working with vulnerable populations. She is honored to be a part of the organization.
Doug Boudreaux
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah
Doug joined Regence in 2018 after nearly 28 years in hospital management. He oversees all new sales and renewals in the Utah Market. Prior to joining Regence, Doug spent 10 years with MountainStar Healthcare as VP of Marketing and Government Relations. Doug also worked for IASIS Healthcare Corporation as a Regional Director of Marketing and Sales. He has also worked for Shriners Hospital and the U of U Health Sciences Center. Doug is active in the community and serves on the board at the Foundation for Salt Lake Community College, and the Utah Foundation. He has spent the last 15 years teaching at the U of U and SLCC as an Adjunct Professor in communications, marketing and business classes. Doug has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from USU and a master’s degree in Public Health and Health Services Administration from the U. He and his wife Connie have four children and three grandchildren.
Jed Crookston
Chief Credit Officer - Commercial Lending Division
Jed brings over 20 years of banking and financial services experience. He has been key in building a high-performing credit department and oversees a loan portfolio exceeding $6 billion. His expertise includes commercial real estate lending, risk management, and loan syndications. Jed previously held leadership roles at local and regional banks, focusing on credit management and commercial lending. He holds an MBA from Utah State University, is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and a graduate of the Utah Bankers Association Executive Development Program. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his children and values VOA’s community impact.
Shelley Kendrick
MountainWest Pipeline LLC (Retired)
Shelley served as Vice President of Commercial & Marketing at MountainWest Pipeline, LLC until her retirement in 2022. Shelley previously worked with the Dominion Questar Corporation for over 35 years. She holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. “I have been so impressed with the mission and vision of VOA and in particular the Homeless Youth Resource Center and want to be a part of moving this critical work forward.” Shelley’s late husband previously volunteered for the Youth Resource Center. His passion for assisting unsheltered youth in their journey toward safety and wellness sparked her interest in being on the VOA Board. Shelley enjoys spending time with her family (including seven grandchildren) and participating in many outdoor activities.
Marina Baginsky Lowe
ACLU of Utah
Marina is an advocate and lobbyist specializing in civil liberties. She represents the ACLU of Utah and other nonprofits, focusing on LGBT rights, reproductive freedom, and criminal justice policy. Previously, she served as Legislative & Policy Counsel for the ACLU of Utah, where she built relationships with officials from U.S. congressmen to local city council members, advancing civil liberties in Utah. Her work has centered on criminal justice reform, successfully drafting and passing numerous bills in the Utah State Legislature on issues like bail reform, policing, and 4th Amendment protections. Marina also worked with the Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association and the international law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, focusing on commercial litigation and intellectual property. She grew up in Northern California, graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law, and has experience in marketing at Hewlett-Packard in France.
Greg Matis
Intermountain Health
Greg is the Chief Legal Officer at Intermountain Health and has practiced health law for over 30 years. Before joining Intermountain, Greg served as in-house counsel to several other organizations, including First Health. Prior to that, he was associated with the Salt Lake City law firm of Kimball, Parr, Waddoups, Brown & Gee. He frequently speaks and writes on healthcare-related topics, sits on the faculty of the Intermountain Health Leadership Institute and is an adjunct professor at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU. Greg chairs the annual in-house counsel program for the American Health Lawyers Association. Greg clerked for the Honorable Stephen H. Anderson of the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. He graduated with honors from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was on the managing board of the University of Chicago Law Review. He has a B.A. from BYU and loves gardening, cooking, hiking, and traveling with his wife, Kellie. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Cody McCarthey
Compassion International
Cody has 14 years of leading creative teams in different industries including the Utah Jazz, documentary, commercial and not-for-profit. He currently works for Compassion International leading their Global Program Asset Development video team, creating content for 25 partner countries. Cody holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, with an emphasis in Electronic Journalism and is currently working on his Executive Master of Business Administration at the University of Utah. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking and an occasional marathon. He loves the work that VOA does in the community and is honored to be a part of the organization.
Don Russell (Board Emeritus)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Don has served as a manager in the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the past 35 years. He holds a B.A. in Communications/Public Relations from Brigham Young University. The Saratoga, CA native has long made the commitment to use public transportation daily as well as take frequent noon-time walks in the downtown Salt Lake City area. As such, he has noticed that the best way to help the many people he sees daily who are struggling with addiction or homelessness is partially through VOA’s services. He enjoys community service, sports, mass media, music, theater, coins, travel, and is very involved in the water industry within the state. A board member since 2005, he is duly impressed with VOA’s staff and appreciates their commitment to and love for those they accommodate.
