Brandy Strand grew up in the Rose Park and Glendale area and is a first generation college graduate from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an emphasis in cultural diversity. Throughout her career Brandy has served in nonprofits that serve the entire state of Utah, focusing on under resourced and underserved communities. She has honed her skills in nonprofit management with special attention given to sound management practices focused on long-term sustainability and community building. Brandy joined Preservation Utah in July 2023 as the Executive Director. She and her spouse have one rescue dog named Vader and enjoy camping and traveling whenever they can!

Rachel isn’t originally from Utah, but has called it home for over 25 years, graduating from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, a minor in Sociology, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. She brings over 18 years of event management as well as experience fundraising for many Utah nonprofits. She has used this expertise and combined it with her passion for building sustainability and connecting people to the impact they can have by supporting their local community. Over her tenure, that experience has led her to great institutions like the UMFA, Utah Food Bank, Humane Society of Utah, and now at Preservation Utah. Rachel loves music, reading, and traveling as much as possible in her free time. She and her spouse share their home with 3 rescues, Arlo, Gretta and Millie.

Liz Joerger grew up in southern California where she earned a BS in Anthropology. In her early career she practiced archaeological survey and cultural resource management. Liz learned first-hand preservation skills by helping her brother restore several historic homes in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and by watching many YouTube videos! She moved to Utah in 2006 and earned a Masters Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Utah. She has been with Preservation Utah since 2014 and has served many roles within the organization. Liz has two rescue dogs and enjoys gardening, learning about native plants, hiking, camping, traveling, crafting (sewing and pottery) and restoring her 1916 bungalow.

Carina Barajas is a Salt Lake City–based artist and creative professional of Mexican and Basque heritage. With a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Utah, she has built a career that blends fine art, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Her work spans painting, digital illustration, and murals, often inspired by culture, nature, and personal experience—including time spent at the Château d’Orquevaux artist residency in France. Carina has also held leadership roles with the Basque Club of Utah, supporting social media, newsletters, fundraising, and cultural programming. When she’s not creating, working, or volunteering, she enjoys gardening and exploring the outdoors with her fiancé and their beloved Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler, Leelu Dallas Multipass.

Aleks was born in Bosnia and moved to the U.S. at 10. She studied Philosophy and Psychology at Weber State University and has worked in violence prevention and fundraising. She’s a music lover, an avid reader, and a devoted dog mom to her senior German Shepherd. Aleks is excited for this next chapter with Preservation Utah.

Chelle Morrison combines a passion for preserving history with a strong background in project and operations management. Currently completing a Master of Library and Information Science degree with a concentration in archives, she is dedicated to helping organizations preserve their records, share their stories, and connect communities with the past.

Before transitioning into the archives profession, Chelle spent many years leading projects, managing teams, and improving organizational processes. She brings that same attention to detail and commitment to service to her work with archival collections, records management, and digital access initiatives.

Chelle is particularly interested in making historical materials more accessible through thoughtful preservation and digitization practices. She believes that archives play an important role in strengthening communities by ensuring that diverse stories and experiences are preserved for future generations.

My name is Aashna Shanthakumar. I just finished up my first year at the University of Utah as a Political Science major and am thinking about pursuing law. I am also minoring in music, I play the harp and I am part of the U’s harp ensemble. I am so excited to be interning at Preservation Utah this summer!

I’m a rising sophomore at the University of Utah, majoring in Accounting. Recently, I’ve been learning more about IRS compliance, nonprofit financial governance, and organizational procedures while helping draft financial policies for the organization.

Brendan Lee is a public historian completing his PhD in Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah. Originally from Panguitch, Utah, he now teaches American history in Logan and has served on our organization's Board since 2025. This summer, Brendan aims to develop college programming to engage students in local history and connect them with professional opportunities in historic preservation.

Ruth Smedley is a third-year student in UVU’s B.Arch program. She also has a BA in Art History and Curatorial Studies from BYU and worked in education at the BYU Museum of Art while a student there. She has studied with the ICAA in New York City and Washington, DC. She loves learning about traditional design and enjoyed learning about historical preservation in school last fall. She is excited to be involved with Preservation Utah’s easement program this summer.

As a first-generation immigrant from El Salvador, I have found that growing up in the United States has been a complex and unique experience. A defining quality shaped by my personal background is an appreciation for and interest in cultures, stories, and people. This interest has been a personal motivator for pursuing both my master's degree in architecture and an increasing involvement in preservation work. I believe that through preservation, a greater appreciation for a community's heritage is cultivated, and stronger camaraderie can be fostered. Within Architecture, conserving places with rich history can better position human relationships and feelings as the central motive for contemporary design.

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