The UVU Foundation operates in support of UVU's current and future needs as a vital component in the community's economic and educational engines. The Foundation is a forward-thinking philanthropic body supporting the vision of the University by contributing expertise, experience, dedication, and financial resources.
Chris Bae is the co-founder of EDG and has extensive experience in global finance and investment management. Before founding EDG, he served on the Management and Investment Committee for UBS's $40 billion alternative investment group, overseeing investments on behalf of global clients.
Chris began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he became managing director, and later
led global trading teams at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He has held leadership
roles in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and New York. Chris earned his degree from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has served as a guest lecturer there on
options theory and financial technology.
Robbie Bastian is a lifelong Orem resident and proud Utah Valley University alumnus, where he earned degrees in music and sound production. His passion for music and commitment to his community have shaped both his personal and philanthropic endeavors.
Following the loss of his mother to leukemia, Robbie and his family helped establish
the UVU Museum of Art at Lakemount, in what was their family home. Today, he continues
his family's legacy by representing the charitable organizations founded by each of
his parents and remains dedicated to supporting UVU and the community it serves.
Roger Connors
Roger Connors is a four-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, leadership expert, and former CEO and co-founder of Partners In Leadership. With more than 40 years of experience in organizational performance, he has advised senior leadership teams around the world and co-authored “The Oz Principle,” one of the most influential leadership books on accountability.
Roger earned his MBA with distinction from Brigham Young University and holds an honorary
doctor of humane letters from Utah Valley University, where he also serves as an advisor
and first vice-chair of the UVU Foundation Board.
Chelsey Curtis is the managing director and principal with Crane Philanthropy, where she helps organizations maximize their philanthropic impact. She spent nearly a decade at The Kahlert Foundation, working closely with Executive Vice President Heather Kahlert to support hundreds of nonprofit organizations across Utah and oversee the distribution of millions of dollars in charitable giving annually.
With expertise in philanthropy, fundraising, nonprofit strategy, and event coordination,
Chelsey is dedicated to fostering growth and strengthening communities through charitable
investment.
Brian Epperson is the chief executive officer of Target River, a nationally recognized marketing agency, and has more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, and business development. Throughout his career, he has led hundreds of successful campaigns for public, private, and nonprofit organizations across the country.
Brian is the creator of the "WhoHowWhat" methodology, an award-winning framework that
helps organizations effectively define and deliver their message and achieve measurable
impact. He also serves on several community boards in Utah and Idaho and earned a
bachelor's degree in integrated social sciences from the University of Washington.
Jared Finch
Jared Finch is President of the Utah Valley University Alumni Board and a member of the UVU Foundation Board and Board of Trustees. A proud Wolverine and former UVU Student Body President, Jared has built a career connecting people and experiences around the world.
He spent nine years living in Australia, where he served as Sales Director for Asia Pacific, leading growth across diverse international markets. For the past eight years, Jared has worked in global meetings and incentive travel and now serves as Senior Global Sales Executive at Morris Meetings & Incentives, designing and delivering transformative corporate events and reward programs for leading brands worldwide.
Deeply committed to community impact and alumni engagement, Jared is passionate about strengthening connections among UVU graduates and advancing initiatives that elevate the university’s reputation and reach.
Jared lives in Provo Canyon with his wife Julie, and they have five children and one son-in-law.
Herby Fullmer
Herby Fullmer serves as the Utah Valley University student body president, is a microbiology major, and a member of the UVU hip hop company. Originally from Haiti and the ninth of 10 children, Herby is passionate about lifelong learning and helping others pursue their goals with confidence and purpose.
Herby is active across campus and committed to creating a more connected and engaged
student experience. As student body president, he hopes to strengthen communication
between students and university leadership, increase awareness of campus resources,
foster school pride, and ensure every student feels empowered to make the most of
their time at UVU.
Trina Limpert is the CEO and founder of RizeNext Corporation, a business strategy and education consulting company that helps organizations to successfully execute equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives. She previously held leadership roles at Novell, eBay, and Oracle, where she served as senior director of CX Consulting, and co-founded Tech-Moms.org to help women transition into careers in technology.
Trina is a lifelong learner and higher education advocate. She attended Weber State
University receiving an associate degree in computer science, bachelor’s degree in
business and information systems from the University of Phoenix, an executive MBA
at the University of Utah, and certificate in driving corporate strategy from Harvard
University. Trina is also involved in several higher education boards in Utah and
currently serves on the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors.
Brian Murphy is a founder and managing member of Portfolio Advisors, a registered investment advisor and qualified professional asset manager specializing in customized private equity, real estate, and credit investment solutions. He also serves on the firm's management committee and multiple investment committees and co-leads its advisory services practice.
Brian serves on UVU's WSB National Advisory Board and Brigham Young University’s Entrepreneurship
Founders Advisory Board. He earned a bachelor's degree from BYU, an MBA from Columbia
University, and completed a CFA program.
Kyle Reyes serves as vice president of Institutional Advancement at Utah Valley University, where he leads efforts in fundraising to support the university’s mission. With more than 22 years at UVU, he has held leadership roles across the institution, including vice president of Student Affairs and UVU’s inaugural senior inclusion officer. He is also a tenured associate professor of education.
Kyle is the author of “Lenses of Humanity: How Reflection, Connection, and Empathy Can Change Our World” and has presented to organizations across the United States and Canada on topics including leadership, student success, inclusion, and cultural competence. He has received numerous national and state honors for his work advancing access and student success in higher education. In his free time, Kyle likes to design shoes and spend time with his wife, Michele, and their children.
Vanessa Sloan is an active community leader who has served on several school and community boards in Texas and Utah. She is also involved with multiple nonprofit organizations in the Dallas area, reflecting her longstanding commitment to education and community service.
Vanessa and her husband, Stephen, are the parents of four children. Outside of her
volunteer work, she enjoys traveling with her family, playing tennis and pickleball,
and cheering on her sons at their sporting events.
Amy Sunderland is a portfolio manager at Grandeur Peak Global Advisors, where she manages global investment portfolios and specializes in consumer sector research. She previously served as a research analyst at Wasatch Advisors and began her career with Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management.
Amy graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in finance and
business information systems and holds the chartered financial analyst designation.
Born in China and raised in Salt Lake City, Amy developed a passion for investing
at an early age, buying her first house at age 12 and investing in stocks at age 14,
and has built a successful career in finance. Outside of work, she enjoys reading,
kickboxing, basketball, camping, hiking, and traveling to unique destinations with
her husband and four children.
Joshua Woodbury is the executive vice president of acquisitions and development at Woodbury Corporation, where he oversees the company's Real Estate Development and Acquisitions Department. In this role, he leads efforts to identify new investment opportunities and execute property business plans and development objectives for Woodbury Corporation and Woodbury Capital real estate funds.
Joshua is a licensed realtor and has served as the state director of the International
Council of Shopping Centers. He is also a member of the Urban Land Institute and the
J. Reuben Clark Law Society. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Brigham
Young University, a juris doctor from the University of Utah, and an master’s degree
in real estate development from Columbia University.
