The Community Foundation of Utah has, for the third year, identified fifty individuals who are making a real difference in the lives of Utahns through innovation, collaboration and commitment to the common good. The ‘Enlightened 50’. They include recognized business and religious leaders, unsung advocates and volunteers, academics, bloggers, directors of nonprofits, and elected officials.
Modeled on vSpring Capital’s v100, Utah’s E-50 are nominated by a very broad pool of community members. Each of the nominees then selects five individuals who they feel most meet the criteria. The top fifty vote getters make the final list and will be recognized at an event October 11th. This year saw 216 individuals nominated.
In choosing the final E-5-0, nominees were asked to especially consider who has exhibited creativity, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. The criteria are:
- An innovator – pioneering original and sustainable approaches to the critical issues facing our state and its people
- A builder – committed to community engagement and the common good
- A visionary – most likely to make a profound mark on Utah’s quality of life
The 2012 E-50
Barbara Barrington Jones: Philanthropist
Betsy Burton: Owner, The King's English Bookshop
Brandie Balken: Executive Director, Equality Utah
Bruce Bastian: Philanthropist, The Bastian Foundation
Cathy Hoskins: Executive Director, Salt Lake Community Action Program
Dan Potts: Wildlife and Garden Educator, Salt Lake County Fish and Game
Dave Wentz: President, USANA
Deborah Bayle: CEO, United Way of Salt Lake
Deeda Seed: Community Organizer, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Derek Dyer: Executive Director, Utah Arts Alliance
Diane Stewart: Philanthropist
Erin Trenbeath-Murray: Executive Director, Salt Lake Headstart
Gale Dick: Co Founder, Save Our Canyons
Gina Cornia: Executive Director, Utahns Against Hunger, Director
Gina Zivikovic: Community Garden Visionary
Hans Ehrbar: Associate Professor, University of Utah
Irene Fisher: Community Advocate
Jason Mathis: Executive Director, Downtown Alliance
Jeanette Herbert: First Lady of Utah
John Netto: Entrepreneur and Homeless Advocate
Jon Huntsman Jr.: Former Governor, State of Utah
Kathy Bray: CEO, Volunteers of America
Kevin Bell: GIS Coordinator, Salt Lake City
Kyle LaMalfa: The People’s Market & Council Member, Salt Lake City
Lane Beattie: President & CEO, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
Levi Elder: Damn These Heels' LGBT Film Festival Director, Utah Film Center
Liz Paige: Director of Community Service, Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School
Mary Nichols: Cancer blogger, TV reporter, CBS Affiliate
Matthew Holland, PhD: President, Utah Valley University
Matthew Minkevitch: Executive Director, The Road Home
Michael Arron: Owner and Publisher, Q Salt Lake Magazine
Nassir Marrouche: Executive Director, CARMA Center
Pamela Atkinson: Community Advocate,
Peter Metcalf: President, Black Diamond Equipment
Ralph Becker: Mayor, Salt Lake City
Rebecca Chavez-Houck: State Representative, State of Utah
Robin Marrouche: Executive Director, Kimball Art Center
Sally Elliott: Commissioner, Summit County
Sara Baldwin: Senior Policy & Regulatory Associate, Utah Clean Energy
Sarah George, PhD: Director, Natural History Museum of Utah
Sarah Wright: Executive Director, Utah Clean Energy
Scotty ‘Soltronic’ Whittaker: Founder, Sol Systems Solar Mobile Solar Powered DJ Booth
Sharon Abegglen: Housing & Emergency Services Director, Salt Lake Community Action Program
Sharon Leopardi: Owner, BUG Farms
Spencer F. Eccles: Chairman, George S. & Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
Taylor Randall, PhD: Dean, University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business
Teri Orr: Executive Director, Park City Performing Arts Foundation
Terra Cooper: Volunteer photographer, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Timothy DeChristopher: Founder, Peaceful Uprising
Vern Hancock: Architect Temple Construction Director, LDS Church
Virginia Maruffo Martinez: Community Advocate,
