Board of Directors
The Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is the main governing body of your Chamber, whose responsibilities include financial authority, long-range planning, and creating a lasting brand and image for the Chamber. BoardofDirectors@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
Tracey Dean, Chairwoman of the Board, she|her
Tracey Dean Financial
tracey.dean@utahlgbtqhamber.org
Tracey S. Dean is a door opener, community engager, and passionate golfer. She is an insurance and financial advisor by trade but spends significant time championing rights for diversity and inclusion within the LGBTQ+ and other underserved communities in Utah.
Tracey’s journey began after nearly losing her life in a severe car accident. This caused her to take a deep, introspective look at her own path and to make a conscious change to help others. Tracey is proud to be a first-generation college graduate, attaining her bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Finance from Westminster College. Currently, she runs a successful firm, Tracey Dean Financial in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Through her 3 years of work with new and established LGBT and allied businesses with the Chamber, the membership has grown over 100%. In 2017 Tracey received an Ambassador of the Year award for her time as a director with the Utah Women’s Networking Group and is the proud recipient of a Q Salt Lake Fabby award for Best Financial Advisor. Tracey was also honored to be named Affiliate Chamber Leader of the Year in 2021 by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Tracey resides in Millcreek with her partner Sherri and their dachshund Laci. If you cannot find them at home, look at the nearest golf course!
Daniel Romero-Guerrero, Board Vice Chair, he|they
Community Health Worker
daniel.romero-guererro@utahLGBTQchamber.org
I am a trans-masculine individual from Guadalajara, Jalisco. Having to navigate different intersections made me passionate to pursue gender and ethnic studies with an emphasis on leadership. I am an advocate for LGBTQ+ communities and intersecting positionalities. Currently I hold a community health worker consulting role which allows me to asses social determinants of health impacting community members within Salt Lake County. My past participation with Salt Lake County's Office of Diversity and Inclusion allowed me to be in spaces that greatly impact the LGBTQ+ community representation, access and advocacy. Since then I have been organizing around LGBTQ+ and Latinx intersections.
Emily Potts, Board Treasurer, she|her
Sugarhouse Coffee
emily.potts@utahLGBTQchamber.org
I am an ally business owner that is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for the queer community. I am personally committed to speak up and be loud for all LGBTQIA+ people. I am a proud mother of a gay son and have nourished a space for him to be proud of who he is since he was a baby. I have a staff that is more than 90% queer and I will continue to fight for each one of them. I am committed to ensuring they all have the same rights as I do and feel safe walking down the street.
Ed Turner, Board Secretary, Safezone Liason & Fundraising Chair, he|him
Highland Street Antiques
ed.turner@utahLGBTQchamber.org
Ed Turner has always lived socially and economically in the LBGTQ+ community and brought his full identity to the world as a person living with HIV since 1982. Ed and Steve, along with their dog Riley, are thrilled to be living their best lives in Utah. Ed enjoys travel and believes: ‘If you don’t go, you don’t see!'
Ed moved to Utah in 2017, having retired from a 32-year career at the Supreme Court of the United States as the Deputy Chief of Staff. Shortly after arriving in Utah, he served as the first Chair of the Board of Directors for Flourish Bakery — a non-profit start-up teaching life skills and the art of professional baking to those recovering from substance use disorders with a history of incarceration.
Ed enjoys skiing (but not putting on ski boots), antiques (prior business owner), travel (where will he land next?), fundraising (started at age 10 with my family), and  choosing happiness (with a side of snarkiness).
Shannon White, Events Chair, he|him
Laziz Kitchen + Sweet Hazel & Co.
shannon.white@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
Shannon was born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana where his family homesteaded land and has farmed ever since. Growing up Country Baptist, it took Shannon some time to realize that he didn't quite belong. He found that art was one of his lifelong passions and pursued it. At the age of nine he began taking lessons which then drove him to Herron School of Art and Design where he graduated with a BFA in painting. In Art school he found another passion which was event planning. Working with local nonprofits and artists, Shannon put together many large events to raise awareness for local artists and organizations.
In August 2016 Shannon moved to Salt Lake City with a group of colleagues and began dabbling in public art. With several projects under his belt he found Cuisine Unlimited where he has worked as their sales and marketing executive for 5 years. This gave Shannon the opportunity to work with many other nonprofits throughout the state of Utah and nationally. Shannon is passionate about learning about the community around him and how to inspire our peers to enact change.
Sonya Drouguett, Marketing Co-Chair, she|her
Pups SLC - Eco-Friendly Dog Grooming, Daycare
sonya.drouguett@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
Sonya Drouguett (she/her) is an entrepreneurial marketing and commercialization executive with 20+ years of driving award-winning clinical marketing strategies for Fortune 500 and international organizations in the genetic testing, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. She is also the proud founder and owner of Pups, her first business venture focused on elevating the experience of grooming, training, and daycare for dogs and their humans.
As a corporate executive and a female business owner, Sonya actively supports diversity and career development for women, minorities, and those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Jennifer Parmley, Marketing Co-Chair, she|her
Simply Not - Hypoallergenic Wooden Jewelry
jennifer.parmley@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
Jennifer Parmley is the founder and CEO of Simply Not, a Hypoallergenic Wooden Earrings company.
Jennifer is also the Marketing Manager for the Kreative Space at New Perspectives Young Adults, where the mission is to support and help neurodivergent young adults learn and apply creative trade skills.
Jennifer and her wife, Samantha, have three children and a not-so-little puppy.
Justin Utley, Advocacy Chair, he|they
Wells Fargo
justin.utley@utahLGBTQchamber.org
Having recently relocated from New York City, Justin has been involved in advocacy within our community since 2005. He testified in the Utah Legislative hearings on LGBTQ Employment and Housing Discrimination, as well as the recent hearings on banning the abusive practice of Conversion Therapy. Justin has been a guest speaker and performer at pride and equality-centered events worldwide and have been a featured contributor on CNN‚ Faces of Faith, NPR, Huffington Post, SiriusXM, and MSNBC.
Justin is passionate about building bridges of understanding, equity, and inclusion, and serves on the board of the Utah LGBTQ Chamber to help create meaningful change and growth within our business community.
Kaleb Claypool, Membership Chair, he|him
Claypool & Associates, LLC
kaleb.claypool@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
Kaleb is a creative and energetic problem solver with experience in both the private and public sectors. He has proven experience in volunteer management, non-profit development, personnel management, ticketing systems & policy, and much more. His portfolio of events covers everything from a large 15,000 seat venue to a small intimate event of fewer than 100 patrons.
When not working, Kaleb is generally found spending time with friends and family. He enjoys cooking and baking as well as taking a hammock out on adventures. He finds great pleasure in the arts and in leading a team to help patrons/patients have a great experience.
Eliza Hill, Ambassador Committee, she|her
Eliza Hill Coaching
eliza.hill@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
As an intuitive guide and an energetics and mindset coach, Eliza Hill guides others on their paths as they learn about and value who they are and how they are designed to live. She mirrors back the beauty and strength within all of us, that we have sometimes forgotten.
In her own life and healing, Eliza has learned how to grieve the past without judgment, release it, and rewrite a new story filled with alignment, honesty, and strength. By sharing her own journey, she is able to share the truth of her humanness in order to show how it, along with love, is actually her power.
Eliza shows up in her work and life, to show others the beauty in both loving and being themselves — living messily and openly — as this is where desire, curiosity, and inclusivity thrive.
Cassie Aubrey, Membership committee, she|her
Aubrey Real Estate Group
cassie.aubrey@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
Cassie stands out in the Salt Lake metropolitan area real estate scene for her dedication to her clients' success in homeownership. Her approach is rooted in the understanding that buying or selling a home is more than a transaction—it's a pivotal life moment. Cassie excels in crafting personalized strategies that resonate with her clients' ambitions, navigating them through the complexities of the market with ease and confidence.
Her expertise is complemented by a rich network and knowledge base, fostered by active memberships in the National Association of Realtors, the Salt Lake Board of Realtors, the Women's Council of Realtors, and the LGBT Utah Chamber of Commerce. Cassie's clients benefit from her commitment to continuous growth and her passion for empowering them with the resources necessary to make informed decisions. Whether you're looking for your first home, seeking to sell, or aiming to build wealth through real estate investments, Cassie's goal is to turn your aspirations into tangible achievements, ensuring a seamless and rewarding journey from start to finish.
Samantha Parmley, Chairwoman Emeritus, she|her
Strong & Hanni
samantha.parmley@UtahLGBTQChamber.org
"Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."Â - Bob Paris
Ever since escaping from the closet herself, Samantha has dedicated her talents, time, and abilities to breaking down barriers and making the world better for everyone in the LGBTQ+ Community. In her roles at the Chamber, she is dedicated to increasing workplace diversity and creating business opportunities for those who identify as LGBTQ+...
Samantha has over a decade of business ownership experience in the tech industry and now works as a freelance Litigation Support Paralegal. She is actively involved in diversity & inclusion efforts, mental health advocacy, and suicide prevention. She is also a mother of 3 darling children, a community activist, writer, and businesswoman.
Chamber Staff
Liz Pitts, President & CEO, she|they
liz.pitts@utahLGBTQChamber.org
Liz is a Salt Lake City native and has for many years been a social justice activist and community volunteer in Utah and elsewhere.  Liz served as the Utah Pride Festival Director in 2017 & 2018. She was also on the founding Board of Project Rainbow Utah and was one of the producing directors of the Redrox Music Festival 2017-2021.
They earned bachelors degrees from the University of Utah in Women's Studies & Political Science and a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. Liz is a librarian by trade and worked for many years in enterprise system sales, sales enablement, event management, and training before pivoting to a career in local LGBTQ+ non-profit work.
Liz is a mother to a most amazing non-binary young adult, Chance. She is also an avid skier, loves travel, live theater, all things outdoors, and operates a ski lift in their spare time.
Miel Franco Pérez, Business Assist Outreach Lead, they|them
miel.francoperez@utahLGBTQChamber.org
Miel is a Mexican indigenous person from Papantla, Veracruz, who currently resides in Utah. As an immigrant and queer person of color, Miel has faced unique challenges but has transformed them into a driving force for advocacy and helping others. Their passion lies in exploring different cultures and communities, embracing the arts, nurturing the mind-body-soul connection, and fostering human connections through culture.
Having graduated from Westminster College with a degree in Psychology, Miel specialized their studies in the intersection of queer and neurodivergent brains. In addition to their academic achievements, Miel has successfully managed various projects. They have a vibrant queer-centered visual art practice, where they express themselves and promote inclusivity. Miel also embarked on a career in Holistic Nutrition, guiding and supporting individuals in healing their relationship with food and their bodies.
Miel's diverse background and experiences have shaped their unwavering commitment to advocacy, personal growth, and building meaningful human connections. They firmly believe in the power of community and the importance of fostering bridges between different cultures and identities. This commitment is further exemplified through their role as the Business Assist Lead at the Utah LGBTQ Chamber, where they provide valuable support to queer and BIPOC entrepreneurs, while evaluating the intersectional dynamics that can influence business success.
With their exceptional skills in community organization and event planning, Miel continuously strives to create inclusive and welcoming spaces, enabling people from all backgrounds to gather, celebrate, and support one another. Their dedication to fostering a sense of unity and belonging is evident in every endeavour they undertake.
Miel habla Español!