Board of Directors

  • Shawna Laws (Chair)

    Wells Fargo

    Shawna Laws, Community Banking District Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, has spent the last 17 years
    Shawna Laws, Community Banking District Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, has spent the last 17 years building diverse relationships within the Greater Salt Lake area. Her passion for diversity has helped her to build a reputation as a leader who cares about people and believes in their potential to grow. Shawna earned her B.S. in Business from the University of Phoenix in 2011 and completed her master-level extension program at the Pacific Coast Banking School in 2012. She started as a part-time teller and has held every position within our Wells Fargo Branches; helping people succeed financially is the driving force behind why she is so successful. Shawna learned about, Volunteers of America, through a volunteer partnership at Wells Fargo and was inspired by their mission of “uplifting all people.” Advocating for the success of others is a natural desire for Shawna and makes her excited, as well as honored, to play a role in the difference making work of, Volunteers of America Utah.
  • Lynn Dahlberg (Chair Elect)

    Williams Northwest Pipeline LLC (Retired)

    Lynn Dahlberg is former Director of Marketing Services, who oversaw commercial operations

    Lynn Dahlberg 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 Murray is Chief Credit Officer of Optum Bank, the leader in Healthcare Savings Accounts. He
    Gary Murray 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 Software Company

    Brice A. Laris finds, trains, and develops the best software team in the industry in his role as

    Brice A. Laris finds, trains, and develops the best software team in the industry in his role as Human Resources Manager for Cimetrix, a Utah based company. 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. A proud Parson, now Griffin, 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 and Kevin are the proud dads of three cats: Chris Pine, Noonian Soong and Harry Kim. Brice is proud of the Volunteers of America’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 Bray has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Volunteers of America, Utah

    Kathy Bray 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.

  • Tara Bennion

    Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services

    Tara Bennion has fourteen years’ experience in the substance use/mental health community and

    Tara Bennion 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 Boudreaux joined Regence in May of 2018 after nearly 28 years in hospital management. He

    Doug Boudreaux joined Regence in May of 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, a division of HCA as Vice President of Marketing and Government Relations. He was responsible for teams in three Utah, Idaho and Alaska and drove a 17 percent year-over-year improvement in net revenue. Doug also worked for IASIS Healthcare Corporation as a Regional Director of Marketing and Sales with operational responsibilities spanning Utah, Nevada and Arizona. He has also worked locally for Shriners Hospital and the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. Doug is active in the community and serves on the boards of Volunteers of America, the Foundation for Salt Lake Community College, and the Utah Foundation. He has spent the last 15 years teaching at the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College as an Adjunct Professor in communications, marketing and business classes. Doug has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Utah State University and a master’s degree in Public Health and Health Services Administration from the University of Utah. He and his wife Connie have four children and three grandchildren.

  • Shelley Wright Kendrick

    MountainWest Pipeline, LLC (retired)

    Shelley Wright Kendrick served as Vice President of Commercial & Marketing at

    Shelley Wright Kendrick 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 Lowe

    ACLU of Utah

    Marina Baginsky Lowe is an advocate and lobbyist focused on civil liberties issues. She

    Marina Baginsky Lowe is an advocate and lobbyist focused on civil liberties issues. She currently represents the ACLU of Utah as well as other nonprofits on issues such as LGBT rights, reproductive freedom, and criminal justice policy. She was previously the dedicated Legislative & Policy Counsel for the ACLU of Utah whom she represented at the State Capitol. In that role she cultivated relationships with elected officials from U.S. congressmen and senators to local city council members across the state to further the protection of civil liberties in Utah. Ms. Lowe’s efforts have been particularly focused on criminal justice reform. Over the years she has successfully drafted and passed numerous bills in the Utah State Legislature on topics from bail and policing reform to prison and jail conditions to strengthening 4th Amendment protections in the face of new and emerging technologies. Ms. Lowe has also worked with the Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, in the Appellate Division, and at the international law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in San Francisco concentrating on commercial litigation as well as intellectual property counseling and litigation. Ms. Lowe grew up in Northern California, and before graduating from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, spent two years working in marketing at Hewlett-Packard in Grenoble, France.

  • Cody McCarthy

    Compassion International

    Cody McCarthy has 14 years of leading creative teams in different industries including the Utah

    Cody McCarthy 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.

  • Joe Mott

    Intermountain Healthcare (Retired)

    Joe Mott, former Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Specialty-Based Care at

    Joe Mott, former Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Specialty-Based Care at Intermountain Healthcare, has twenty-five years of experience in healthcare leadership with roles as hospital chief financial officer, CEO and Vice President of Population Health – all with Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City Utah. Joe is committed to principle-based leadership with a strong commitment to community value. Joe has served as the Chair of the National Children’s Hospital Quality Committee and Chair of the Davis County Board of Health. He received an MBA degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and resides in Bountiful, Utah with his wife, Ellen.

  • Lance Dunkley (Board Emeritus)

    Maverik, Inc.

    Lance Dunkley is the vice president of real estate at Maverik, Inc. Prior to joining Maverik Mr.
    Lance Dunkley is the vice president of real estate at Maverik, Inc. Prior to joining Maverik Mr. Dunkley was a shareholder of the law firm of Kirton McConkie in its Real Property, Leasing and Land Use section. His real estate practice concentrates on site selection, entitlements and construction of Maverik convenience stores and fuel centers. Mr. Dunkley is also a member of Maverik’s executive team. Mr. Dunkley graduated cum laude from Hofstra University, Hofstra School of Law in 2004. He is admitted to practice law in New York and Utah. He is a member of the Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee of Salt Lake City, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and a CCIM candidate. Mr. Dunkley speaks Italian and Spanish. He resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and their 7 children.
  • 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
    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.