A Utah native, Theresa is passionate about promoting the Beehive State. She has served as EDCUtah’s President and CEO since 2017. During her tenure at EDCUtah, Theresa has focused on internal team culture, driving stakeholder value, and economic development preparedness. A recovering attorney who enjoys putting deals together, Theresa has relished in being part of Team Utah’s efforts to attract dozens of companies on expansion and relocation projects representing various industries throughout the state, including Goldman Sachs, Stadler Rail, and Facebook. Prior to joining EDCUtah Theresa was a senior leader at the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Earlier in her career, Theresa represented a diverse set of clients in private legal practice on a multitude of general corporate and financial matters. Theresa lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and two children. They love spending time outdoors together with their Bernese mountain dog.

JD University of Utah / BA Political Economy, Utah State University

Jill is a CPA with diverse financial and operations experience, primarily in non-profit organizations. She joined EDCUtah in 2016, bringing a focus on compliance and financial systems. She enjoys attending concerts and traveling with her husband and three kids.

MBA Westminster / BS Accounting, University of Utah

From 2014 to 2021, Xiao served as director of the Mayor’s Office for New Americans at Salt Lake County. She is a Fellow with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership Network. Among a host of other volunteer activities, she serves as co-chair of the Multicultural Advisory Committee of Utah’s Covid-19 Response.

BS Political Science, University of Utah / Masters Art in Community Leadership, Westminster College

Prior to joining EDCUtah, Stephanie’s career included experience as a medical device engineer and a software account manager, as well as a year of Americorps service with the Utah Food Bank. Stephanie is an avid skier and hiker with a passion for travel. In 2018, she took a leave of absence from EDCUtah to backpack around the world with her husband and two young daughters.

BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan

In his internship, Gerritt is supporting the executive team and the Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging. He is studying Economics and Political Science at the University of Utah. Before university, he spent two years in Taiwan, learning Chinese and serving the people there. Prior to his time at EDCUtah, he spent a semester as a writing and research intern at the World Trade Association of Utah. In his free time, Gerritt enjoys spending time with his wife, cooking, and going to Jazz and Ute games.

University of Utah, Economics and Political Science

Bailey works for the Center of Economic Opportunity & Belonging as a Special Events Coordinator. She recently graduated from Westminster College where she studied History with an emphasis on social movements and revolutions. Bailey is really passionate about bringing visibility to the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities as she is a part of these communities herself. In her spare time, Bailey is out hiking with her dogs or at home reading.

BA, History, Westminster College

Colby came to EDCUtah after having worked at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) as Lead Fellow. He loves the opportunity that working at EDCUtah provides him to meet people from all over the world, to be involved in important decisions being made in Utah, and to learn from incredible resources within the organization and the community at large. Aside from his healthy love of bright socks and good beards, Colby is also an avid sports fan. He supports the University of Utah Utes football team and REAL Salt Lake soccer, and enjoys skiing, boating, and discovering great new spots to explore with friends.

BA History, University of Utah

As Senior Business Development Manager for EDCUtah, Erin manages corporate recruitment and expansion projects and industry initiatives primarily in the financial services and technology industries in addition to a mix of manufacturing/distribution projects. Erin has been instrumental in helping several fintech, tech, and financial services companies expand within or establish new operations in Utah, adding more than 18,000 jobs to the economy. Prior to EDCUtah, she worked for a local investment advisory firm and before that, in Washington, D.C. as a management consultant to the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation, and for the U.S. Senate. Erin holds a master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from The George Washington University and a BS from Brigham Young University.

MS Public Administration, The George Washington University / BS Family Public Policy & Business Management Minor, Brigham Young University

Katherine Morrell joined the Business Development team in 2021. Previously she worked on the Community Strategy team and managed the Utah Mega Sites program, Community Match Grants program, Utah Sure Sites, and EDCUtah Rural Committee. In that role, Katherine coordinated with EDCUtah’s Business Development team and communities on their strategies and preparation for business growth and recruitment. Katherine enjoys utilizing her urban planning background to assist with EDCUtah priorities. Outside of work, Katherine likes traveling, biking, and reading.

MS City and Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah / BS Geography, Urban Planning Emphasis, Brigham Young University

Stephanie came to EDCUtah from Silicon Slopes where she was working for Qualtrics. She joined the fast growing tech unicorn after she earned degrees in Political Science and Spanish from Utah State University. She was originally on track to go into education, but a brief internship in rural Peru teaching business classes to locals, instilled in her a passion for business development and entrepreneurship. She has started a business and co-founded another but chooses to focus on helping other businesses thrive. She’s a florist, blogger, musician, artist, outdoor enthusiast, and hobbyist who’s always looking for new opportunities to learn and grow.

BA Political Science, BA Spanish, Utah State University

Vlada Yaremenko graduated from the University of Utah summa cum laude with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Music. Originally from Ukraine, she has lived in four different countries. Her previous experiences include working with impoverished communities in India, with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy in Washington, D.C., and with the United Nations as a Youth Sub-committee Co-chair for the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference. Furthermore, Vlada has served on the board of the United States National Committee for UN Women Utah Chapter as the Vice President of Public Relations and Membership Committee where her focus was to improve the status of women in Utah. She joined EDCUtah in 2019 and was promoted to Business Development Manager in 2021.

BA International Studies. Minor in Music, University of Utah

A native of the Congo, and raised in Uganda, Jolly (Jo' Lee) moved to Utah in 2014. Fluent in seven languages, she is interested in culture, and looks forward to learning more about economic development and business in general.

BS in Business Information Systems, University of Utah

After working as Special Projects Lead at the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop, Michael came to EDCUtah to assist in the research department as Research Project Manager. He was promoted to Research Manager in 2018 and now leads all EDCUtah research requests and projects. He loves being a part of helping show how great Utah is and what the state has to offer and experiencing the diverse Utah economy. Father of two daughters and one son, Michael enjoys sports, reading, writing novels, board games, and exploring the outdoors. He also is lucky enough to enjoy dual citizenship after having been born in Madrid, Spain.

BS Business Management, BYU Idaho / MS Management and Leadership, Western Governors University

Olivia holds a degree in Economics and a minor in Mathematics from Westminster College, where she also competed as DII soccer player. A native of Utah, Olivia likes rock climbing, skiing, and mountain biking.

BA in Economics, Westminster College