Informed Decision Maker of the Year Award

Honoring those who help Utah prosper

Each year, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recognizes individuals and entities that work, often behind the scenes and with little fanfare, to help our community prosper. We call them Informed Decision Makers and select them based on criteria consistent with our committable core values. We want to honor those unrecognized for their good work and who demonstrate informed decision-making.

2024 Honorees

Theresa Foxley is Chief of Staff to rPlus Energies, a national leader in utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage development. Theresa is passionate about developing diversified, dispatchable, affordable renewable energy. A Utah native, she has spent her career championing economic growth in Utah and serves her community through numerous boards and initiatives. Theresa’s commitment to business recruitment as the President and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah brought numerous corporations to the state with an eye on the distribution of economic impact for the entire state, especially rural Utah. Theresa has been quoted as saying she is an “unabashed promoter of Utah Economic Assets and quality of life.”

Ross Van Vranken is the executive director for the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) with the University of Utah Health. HMHI is a $180 million gross enterprise supporting a behavioral health care system anchored by a 170-bed acute psychiatric and substance use hospital. HMHI services all ages, disorders, and socioeconomic groups. Mr. Van Vranken has been a leader in behavioral health, dating back to the early 1980s. Ross’s leadership and passion extend beyond his tangible accomplishments; how he leads amplifies his impact on others and the community, which is seen in his ability to inspire individuals and teams to foster an environment of inclusivity, collaboration, compassion, accountability, and innovation.

Bicycle Collective is a group of nonprofit bike shops that refurbish donated bicycles and put them into the hands of those in need— focusing on children, newly resettled refugees, immigrants, individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, individuals recovering from substance abuse, and low-to-moderate income households. The Collective operates programs in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and St. George. The Collective uses a sustainable business model at each location that accepts donated bicycles and repairs, refurbishes, or recycles them. In 2023, Bicycle Collective gave 1,349 bicycles to those in need through their Bikes for Goodwill and Earn-A-Bike programs for adults.

Circles Salt Lake’s mission is to reduce poverty throughout Salt Lake County. They do this by building bridges of friendship and community that support individuals and families on their journey from surviving to thriving. They believe everyone has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive.  Circles Salt Lake is committed to helping community members with lesser means become financially independent and free of government services. The average duration in the program is three years before graduating for the rest of their lives. This is a unique approach to poverty and one that allows the clients to retain their hope and dignity.

The Seager Memorial Clinic’s mission is to provide the underserved with free, easy-access, non-judgmental, charitable medical, dental, vision, and mental health care. Everything they do is 100% free to everyone seeking care. The clinic leaves a legacy of healing in the community by serving as a safety net for anyone struggling to access the traditional healthcare system due to financial, social, mental health, or other barriers. Located in Ogden, Utah, the Seager Memorial Clinic has completed 84,300 patient visits since 1988, totaling 6,942 volunteer hours.