Salt Lake City — Good government group Alliance for a Better UTAH announced today the addition of former congresswoman Karen Shepherd to its board of directors.
Shepherd was the second woman in the history of Utah to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Before her election to Congress, she served in the Utah Senate.
“Shepherd’s significant career in public service has benefited not only the people of Utah, but countless individuals throughout the United States and world,” said Maryann Martindale, Better UTAH executive director. “We are fortunate to have her join our organization.”
After her career in the House of Representatives, Shepherd went on to serve as the U.S. Director for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Shepherd will draw upon these experiences as she continues to work to improve the lives of her fellow Utahns in her new role.
“Joining the Alliance for a Better Utah gives me a chance to work with others who make it their business to shine a light on all the events that undermine ethics and good government,” said Shepherd. “In a one-party state with few checks to balance a power structure that is completely out of balance, Better UTAH’s voice is more important every day.”
Shepherd’s experience extends well beyond the public sphere. A businesswoman and writer before running for public office, she founded and grew Webster Publishing Company and was the editor of several of its magazines and publications.
She was also a Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics, a Lecturer at the University of Utah, and a participant in international democracy-building efforts in Slovakia, Israel’s West Bank, Ukraine and Russia.
Recently, Shepherd founded the Karen Shepherd Internship for Ethics and Good Government, housed in the Alliance for a Better UTAH. The internship draws on Utah’s brightest students to develop ways to create opportunities for engaging young Utahns and their leaders on the important issues of campaign finance reform, transparent governing and robust ethics laws.
Shepherd joins the following board members:
Sheryl Allen
Paul Dougan
Terrell Dougan
Max Farbman
David R. Irvine
Josh Kanter, Chair
Jonathan Klein
Kelly Nelson
John Netto
James Roberts
Diane Stewart
Troy Williams