Out in the Workplace
What is it like to be an LGBTQ+ person in the workforce? Meet local LGBTQ+ professionals who are University of Utah alumni and hear from them about their experiences being out in the workplace. This will be a panel discussion and networking event for both U students and alums.
Attendees will understand how alumni have been able to move about a professional space while holding an LGBTQ+ identity. Learn about alumni perspectives on LGBTQ+ identity and how that plays into their academics and career paths. This event will be a great opportunity for students and alums to network and create professional connections.
If you are an alum interested in participating in alumni-to-student networking, please reach out to Ana Ascencio. Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 22.
Out in the Workplace
When: Monday, March 27, 2023 from 4–5:30 p.m.
Where: Eccles Alumni House, Dumke Reception Room
Registration: This event is free, but registration is required.
Speakers
Anna Christopherson, PhD Graduate Student
Anna Christopherson (she/they) is a first year PhD student studying astroparticle physics with the Telescope Array Project. Anna strives to utilize her knowledge in chemistry and physics in my research of high-energy cosmic rays while continuing their undergraduate efforts in improving LGBTQ+ represented in STEM. Anna graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and an honors bachelor’s degree in physics. While in school, they participated in many projects and outreach events centered around the inclusivity and equity of the LGBTQ+ community in the STEM fields.
Sam Dutton, Data Analyst
Sam (he/him) is a PhD student in the Educational Psychology department and is a data analyst and researcher for the State of Utah working with public education data with the goal of improving transparency in education funding. Much of his research involves reading comprehension, stress and emotion, and understanding contributors to student outcomes. Sam is a queer, transgender man with a love of reading, running, and getting out into nature. He spends a lot of time involved with Salt Lake’s queer adult community doing recreational sports and other activities.
Fernando Herrera, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner, Northrop Grumman
Fernando (he/him) has a passion for helping people so he naturally pursued a career in human resources where he can make an impact on the employee experience. He is currently a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner at Northrop Grumman working in the aerospace & defense industry. At his organization he has supported efforts increasing LGBTQ+ education and has served as an Executive Sponsor for their LGBTQ+ employee resource group (PrIDA). He has six years of experience working in various HR functions for global companies and serves on the board of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Chapter. He was an honorary recipient of the Local Youth Hero Award from The Salt Lake County Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for his commitment to helping diverse communities. Fernando graduated from the University of Utah in 2017 with his B.S. in Business Administration.
Justin Kwong, Senior Product Designer, Charlie Health
Justin (he/him) is a UX designer at Charlie Health creating experiences to increase mental health outcomes for youth and young adults. Typically joining start-ups and early-stage companies as the first designer, his design philosophy to create thoughtfully conscious solutions for scale centers around people’s lived experiences, cultures, and identities that influence decision-making. Prior to Charlie, Justin worked in a variety of multi-disciplinary design capacities with mission-focused start-ups and non-profits including Project Contrast, Violet, Wesper, and Folx Health. Outside of his day-to-day, Justin mentors emerging designers trying to break into the industry, and building design communities as a board member of Queer Design Club and as President of AIGA Salt Lake City.
Tamara Young, Adjunct Faculty, Salt Lake Community College
Tamara Young (they/them) is pursuing their Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Utah, in Physics Education Research, in particular, student resources when studying magnetism. Their Master’s degree is also from the University of Utah, and their research was in Computational Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics. They work as an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College, teaching general education astronomy and physics courses. Before returning to graduate school to complete their Ph.D., they worked as an academic advisor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah. Before this, they worked as a public school teacher, teaching science and math for grades 7-12 in rural, urban, and online environments. Tamara is very passionate about physics and education and student success. Tamara is married with an adult daughter, a teenager, a covid dog, and an elderly cat.
