Utah Valley University today announced the addition of several new members to its Board of Trustees, effective immediately following the Board’s meeting on Oct. 14.
Utah Valley University (UVU) today announced the addition of several new members to its Board of Trustees, effective immediately following the Board’s meeting on Oct. 14.
Nominated by Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox, the new appointees include Kristin Andrus, Bradley Herbert, Justin Olson, and Shauna Smith. UVU Alumni Association President Jared Finch also serves as a trustee and was sworn in this September. Blake Modersitzki was also appointed second vice chair after a vote during the meeting. Scott M. Smith will continue to serve as Board of Trustees chair, with Jeanette Bennett as first vice chair.
“Caring, effective, and committed leadership is at the core of UVU's success,” said UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez. “Our new trustees embody that spirit. They are accomplished leaders who care deeply about education, opportunity, and Utah’s future. Their insight and advocacy will help us continue to open doors for students from every background.”
Eight members of the UVU Board of Trustees are appointed by the Governor of Utah and confirmed by the state senate, and two trustees serve as ex officio members who are the president of the institution’s alumni association and the president of the associated students of the institution. Trustees serve up to two four-year terms, with the possibility of extension.
For more information about the UVU Board of Trustees, visit www.uvu.edu/president/office/trustees.html.
Kristin Andrus is the Chief Culture Officer to her husband and six children, and founder of Gathering for Impact. She is a committed advocate for women, children, and vulnerable populations in Utah and beyond. She empowers individuals to give back by aligning their service with personal values and passions—a philosophy she calls "sticky service," rooted in the belief that "just keep showing up" leads to lasting change.
Working at the intersection of hands-on service and systemic advocacy, Kristin mobilizes communities through volunteerism, social media, collaborative events, and policy efforts that address root causes. As head of the Andrus Family Foundation, she blends strategic philanthropy with direct community involvement to amplify impact. She also serves on the Utah Valley University Board of Trustees, the Cities Strong Foundation board, and works with the Utah Workforce Housing Authority to advance solutions to some of the state's most pressing challenges.
Kristin and her family are the authors of Life At Our Table, a cookbook and fundraiser supporting Huntsman Mental Health Foundation and its work in substance abuse prevention and treatment. The project reflects her belief in the power of gathering, not only around meals but around shared purpose, but as a force for healing and connection.
Widely recognized for her ability to inspire action and get things done, Kristin serves as a trusted advocate, event host, and bridge builder across Utah's nonprofit landscape. She champions collective effort, knowing that true change comes when individuals, families, and neighborhoods work together.
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.
Brad Herbert is Senior Vice President of International Banking at Zions Bank, where he leads the bank’s global banking strategy and helps companies across the Intermountain West expand into international markets. Since joining Zions Bank in 2006, Brad has held several leadership roles, including serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications from 2017 to 2023.
A passionate advocate for global commerce and regional growth, Brad oversees the annual Crossroads of the World International Trade Summit, one of his key responsibilities in promoting international business development. In 2018, he joined a Utah delegation of business and government leaders on a trade mission to China, strengthening ties between local businesses and international partners.
Brad’s commitment to community service is reflected in his work as a board ambassador for the University of Utah Women’s Resource Center, co-chair of the Utah Food Bank’s Young Professionals Committee, and organizer of “Light Up Puerto Rico,” a humanitarian relief initiative launched in response to Hurricane Maria.
He holds an associate degree from Utah Valley University, a bachelor’s degree in Advertising Communications from Brigham Young University, an MBA from the University of Utah, and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School through the University of Washington.
Outside of work, Brad is an avid tennis player, golfer, and water skier. He and his wife Carmen are the proud parents of four boys.
Justin Olson is the President and CEO of Utah Community Credit Union, where he leads with a passion for empowering individuals to improve their financial strength and achieve their dreams. Prior to being appointed as President and CEO, Justin served as Chief Information Officer and led the institution’s technology strategy and teams, scaling the organization from a few hundred million in assets under management to nearly $4 billion.
A proud alumnus of Utah Valley University, Justin earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management while working full-time, exemplifying the spirit of UVU’s nontraditional student body. He later completed his MBA at Brigham Young University, where he was recognized for being in the top 10% of his class.
Justin’s connection to UVU runs deep—not only as a graduate, but also through his service on the Scott M. Smith College of Engineering and Technology Advisory Board. In that role, he collaborated with faculty and industry leaders to ensure UVU’s Information Security and Technology curriculum remains aligned with the ever-evolving demands of industry and academia.
Justin is inspired by UVU’s mission to serve students from diverse backgrounds, including the 41% who are first-generation college attendees. His leadership is rooted in a commitment to student success, academic excellence, and community-building—values that reflect UVU’s enduring impact on Utah’s workforce and society.
Justin and his wife, also a UVU alumna and registered nurse, are proud to call Utah home with their three children. Their journey through higher education at UVU shaped their lives and careers, and they remain dedicated to supporting the university’s continued growth and success.
As CEO and co-founder of Savory, Shauna is an accomplished executive leader with more than 15 years of experience at the helm of Food & Beverage organizations. Shauna started as an operator and has since been integral in developing, acquiring, and operating over 400 restaurants across a dozen states since 2008. Cumulatively, these establishments have raked in sales north of $2.5 billion, offering employment opportunities to over 40,000 individuals.
Shauna's primary focus is elevating operational efficiencies and accelerating revenue growth across the various brands in the Savory portfolio. With an operational depth supported by a 70-person value-add team, she directly supervises the senior leaders of each portfolio company to ensure both strategic and tactical objectives are met.
Shauna’s superpower is value creation through three key drivers -- growth, efficiency and site replication. This remarkable growth trajectory earned the firm multiple accolades, including back-to-back fast-growth awards from Restaurant Monitor, as well as eight appearances on Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Inc. 500 list — a testament to its rapid expansion and success.
