Education:
Master of Urban Planning 2007
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Master Public Administration 1996
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
BS 1982 Sociology
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Affiliations/Membership:
American Planning Association, Utah Chapter
Women’s Transportation Seminar, Northern Utah Chapter
(Vice President 2008-Present)
Board Member, Westminster College Environmental Advisory Committee
Professional Background:
Helen has extensive experience with grassroots public involvement in land use planning and transportation projects. In her role as the United We Ride Manager for the State of Utah, she was responsible for the design and implementation of Utah’s first Coordinated Human-Service Public Transportation Plan. This Plan identified the transit needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults and eligible low-income individuals and worked towards meeting those need. She participated on the UDOT Roadway Construction Business Mitigation Committee (2005) and helped develop Partners for the Road Ahead: A Guide to Prepare Your Business for Transportation Projects.
Helen was the lead researcher for Utah Vital Signs, a sustainability indicators research project sponsored by the Utah Population and Environment Coalition. Through integrating data from many agencies and organizations, Helen played a key role in calculating the Ecological Footprint for Utah. The results indicate how well Utah is sustaining its unique natural heritage and preserving it for future generations.
Along with Rita Lund and Lynne Olson, Helen founded the Parley’s Rails, Trails and Tunnels [PRATT] Coalition that is currently designing and constructing an eight mile east-west non-motorized trail in Salt Lake County between the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and the Jordan River Parkway.
Personal Interests:
Daily I strive to transform our global community into a more just, equitable and sustainable society. I have had a long time commitment to preservation of open space and sensitive lands. I enjoy creating an environment where people can get out and walk through my trail building efforts. I am all about helping people design a community that creates a sense of place where they live, work and play. My favorite thing is making sure Sugar House and Salt Lake City has lots of public art as I am a strong proponent of public art. Conducting charettes or public design workshops is my favorite type of public participation.