Mayor Erin J. Mendenhall, Salt Lake City’s 36th mayor, serves as honorary chair. She took office on Jan. 6, 2020. Mendenhall grew up in Salt Lake City. While attending the University of Utah she gained an interest in science and public policy, leading to a career focusing on improving Utah’s air quality and protecting its environment. Her activism led to an elected role on the city council in 2013. As mayor, she has focused on making the city environmentally and economically resilient, and taking advantage of the region’s historic period of economic opportunity.