The People Behind Our Mission

Some people think of historic preservation as something stuck in the past, hidden away in old archives, faded photos, or forgotten buildings. That is not how we do things at Preservation Utah. For us, preservation is alive and urgent. It is happening right now in neighborhoods across the state, in city council chambers, county commission meetings, and in the homes of families who want to know the stories behind their walls. And it takes people; committed, skilled, passionate people; to make it real.

This summer, I want to introduce you to ours.

In the nonprofit world, capacity means everything. It is what separates an organization that simply reacts from one that shapes the future. Capacity lets us say yes to communities that need advocacy, add tours in new neighborhoods, care for easement properties, and build the systems that keep our work going. It is not glamorous it rarely makes headlines or event programs but it is the base for every program, partnership, and preservation success. When a nonprofit lacks resources, even the best work can become fragile. But when we are well-staffed, supported, and organized, our mission can truly thrive.

That is where Preservation Utah stands this summer. Every staff position is filled. Our interns completed meaningful, lasting work and are now moving on to their next chapters—back to school, into new careers, and whatever comes next. Together, this team has done work that will shape historic preservation in Utah for years ahead.

I want to tell you about each of them.

Rachel Kelly, Memorial House Events Manager

Rachel has spent her whole career building things. With over 18 years in event management and nonprofit fundraising at places like the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Utah Food Bank, the Humane Society of Utah, and now here, she knows that the best events are more than just good logistics. They are experiences that connect people to what matters to them. As Memorial House Events Manager, Rachel has helped turn our historic venue into one of Salt Lake City's most popular event spaces, creating a revenue stream that supports the preservation work you care about. Every event in Memorial House and every gathering under those historic rafters helps keep this organization going. Rachel makes it all happen and makes it look easy.

Liz Joerger, Historic Properties Manager

Liz has been with Preservation Utah since 2014, and few people in the state know the hands-on work of historic preservation better. She grew up in southern California, studied Anthropology, spent years in archaeological survey and cultural resource management, and then moved to Utah. She earned a Masters Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Utah and learned restoration skills by helping restore historic homes in the Capitol Hill neighborhood—and, as she will gladly tell you, by watching many YouTube videos. Now, she oversees our preservation easement program, revolving loan fund, and Memorial House operations. She took on the Historic Properties Manager role earlier this year with the quiet confidence that comes from years of experience. She restores her own 1916 bungalow and grows native plants. Liz truly puts her hands on preservation, not just talks about it. I am so glad she is in this role.

Whitney Robinson, Advocacy and Education Manager

Whitney is one of the most remarkable people I have worked with. She holds a Master's in Historic Preservation from the Boston Architectural College, has a background in blacksmithing, is an Air Force veteran, and a mother of four. She has lived in seven states and traveled internationally, bringing all those experiences to her role as Advocacy and Education Manager. Whitney's strength is making preservation feel urgent and accessible to people who never saw themselves as preservationists, because she knows from her own life that the built environment is not just an idea. It is where we live, worship, learn, grieve, and celebrate. She is expanding our educational reach across Utah and strengthening the advocacy work that protects our historic places, all with a contagious energy.

Alexander Adriano, Public Programs Manager

Alexander leads our public programs, Historic Homes Tours, volunteer program, and digital projects. He believes that preservation and the arts are closely connected, both showing what communities value. Alexander is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music and keeps an active piano studio alongside his work here. He is an avid reader, antique collector, and someone who sees not just what a historic building was, but what it still means. The tours and programs he creates invite others to see things the same way, turning curious visitors into lifelong preservation advocates.

Carina Barajas, Memorial House Event Assistant

Carina brings something rare to the Memorial House team: the perspective of a working artist. She is a painter, muralist, and digital illustrator of Mexican and Basque heritage, holds a BFA from the University of Utah, and has built her career where art, culture, and community meet. She has led cultural programs for the Basque Club of Utah, built social media communities, and created work that has even taken her to a residency in France. As Memorial House Event Assistant, she brings her creative approach to client coordination, event logistics, and communications. She deeply understands why places that hold community stories are worth protecting.

Aleks Petrovic, Administrative Coordinator

Aleks moved to the United States from Bosnia at age ten, and building a life in a new place—finding community and meaning in unfamiliar surroundings—has shaped how she works. She studied Philosophy and Psychology at Weber State University, has worked in violence prevention and fundraising, and brings thoughtfulness and warmth to her role as Administrative Coordinator. The work of an administrative coordinator is often invisible because it is done so well. Aleks does it very well, and I am grateful for her every day.

Chelle Morrison, Archivist

Chelle joined us at just the right time. As our Archivist during Preservation Utah's 60th anniversary year, she is doing work that is both essential and meaningful: she is preserving the preservation organization itself. Chelle is finishing a Master of Library and Information Science degree with a focus on archives, and brings years of experience in project management, team leadership, and organizational systems. She believes—and I agree—that archives are not just storage. They help organizations understand themselves over time. The work Chelle is doing this year will make sure that sixty years from now, future leaders can look back and see exactly how we got here.

A Note on Our Summer Interns

I also want to take a moment to recognize the amazing group of interns who joined our team this summer. As we move into August, some have finished their work and are moving on to their next chapters—back to school, into new careers, and whatever comes next. I could not be more proud of what they have accomplished.

Aashna Shanthakumar spent her summer building our organizational policy infrastructure, work that will strengthen how we operate for years, and she did it with great care. Zach Condon focused on nonprofit financial governance, drafting financial policies that will guide us long after he graduates. Miguel Gonzalez Quintanilla updated our Economic Impact Report for the first time since 2013, building the research foundation that will help us with funders and legislators for years to come. Kat Jones built the advocacy data infrastructure that supports everything we do statewide. Brendan Lee, a board member, PhD candidate, and history teacher, is creating college programs to connect the next generation of students to preservation as a career. And Ruth Smedley is reviewing and documenting easement property inspections across the state.

Each of them gave us their time. Each built something that will last. Now, they are heading into a future that I believe will be better for them and for this field because they chose to spend this season with us. We wish them all the best.

This Is the Team

When I look at the people I work with every day, I feel one thing above all: gratitude. This work is hard. Preservation is always urgent, resources are limited, and the calendar never slows down. But when you are surrounded by people who are truly excellent at what they do, who care about the mission as much as you do, and who show up day after day with skill, heart, and humor, the hard work becomes something else. It becomes a privilege.

This team covers archaeology and architecture, accounting and advocacy, event management and archival science, fine art and public history. They restore bungalows on weekends, teach piano, grow native plants, make murals, play the harp, and care for senior dogs and backyard chickens. They came to this work from Bosnia, El Salvador, West Virginia, Panguitch, and Rose Park. They are veterans, artists, scholars, first-generation students, and seasoned professionals. Every single one of them is here because they believe, deep down, that the places we come from matter and that protecting them is worth the effort.

I am so proud of this team. I am so grateful they are here. And I cannot wait to show you what we build together.

With gratitude,

Brandy Strand

Executive Director, Preservation Utah