Pat Child BS’62

Patricia Wright Child is a dedicated philanthropist, community leader, and lifelong supporter of the U. Pat was the first in her family to earn her degree, after which she began her career at Holy Cross Hospital. At the U, she served on the Health Sciences Council, the Society for Advancement of Genetic Exploration, and the President’s Senior Advisory Council. She also served the broader community through her board work with the LDS Hospital Heart and Lung Foundation. As treasurer of the Child Family Foundation, Pat, together with her husband, Bill, has guided impactful giving that has transformed the university—supporting scholarships, healthcare initiatives, and facilities including the Patricia W. Child Health and Wellness Tower, a living-learning community designed to help students explore their interest and purpose. In 2004, Pat and Bill received the Utah Philanthropy Leadership Award. They are season ticket holders to Utah football, basketball, and gymnastics, and are parents of eight children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with a family count totaling over 100.

Khosrow Semnani MS’75

Khosrow B. Semnani is an Iranian-American industrialist, humanitarian, and philanthropist. He worked as an engineer for Kennecott Copper Corporation and Sperry Univac until 1981 when he founded Grassy Mountain Hazardous Waste Facility. Later, in 1988, he launched Envirocare of Utah—the nation’s first privately owned low-level radioactive waste disposal facility and today’s Energy Solutions. A proud Utahn, he supported the restoration of Benson Grist Mill as a testimony to ingenuity of early settlers in Tooele Valley. His success in industry has been matched by a deep commitment to giving back. Through the Semnani Family Foundation, he has advanced education, healthcare, and humanitarian initiatives, including establishing the Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005, which provides free, high-quality medical care to uninsured patients. A dedicated supporter of the university, Khosrow has funded scholarships, research, and programs across multiple colleges, and recently commissioned the Henry Eyring statue to honor his mentor. His “One Kind Act a Day” movement and the Kindness Summit at Rice-Eccles Stadium inspire a culture of empathy and generosity.

Jeff Cardon BS’80 and Helen Cardon

Jeffrey S. Cardon is a business leader and philanthropist whose career and generosity have helped shape Utah’s business and academic communities. As president, portfolio manager, and CEO of Wasatch Global Advisors, Jeff helped build one of Utah’s largest homegrown financial firms, fostering hundreds of jobs and advancing financial excellence statewide.

Helen H. Cardon has spent more than 30 years focused on community service—focusing on education, women’s and children’s issues, and social equity. She served as board chair at the Children’s Center and founded the Children’s Center Utah Jewelry Luncheon. She also served on the Neighborhood House board and co-chaired the Neighborhood House Capital Campaign.  Helen’s years on the Hemingway Foundation board have given her the opportunity to better understand our community’s need.

Through the Jeffrey S. and Helen H. Cardon Foundation, Jeff and Helen continue to exemplify leadership rooted in compassion, community, and impact. In 2015, Jeff and Helen established the First Ascent Scholars Program, designed to support underserved students who deserve to become college graduates. This program has been a focal point in their lives for the past 10 years.  As the program has grown, so have their connections to the university and their scholars.

Mayra Sanchez-Gomez

Mayra A. Sanchez-Gomez is a certified doula, prenatal educator, and founder and executive director of Comunidad Materna en Utah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing gaps in maternal and child healthcare access for the most vulnerable families. Born in Mexico, Mayra immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 19. At 20, she married and became the mother of a large family with nine children. A passionate advocate for equitable health access, Mayra has served over 700 families, led 200 workshops, and trained 46 doulas—building a new generation of community health leaders. Her close partnership with University of Utah Health has been instrumental in shaping the new West Valley Hospital Campus, where her voice has ensured that the design and mission reflect the needs of local residents. In the past few years, Mayra has been recognized as the 2023 Doula of the Year from the Utah Doulas Association, honored by Salt Lake County during the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month, and named a 2024 Healthcare Hero by Utah Business Magazine.

Curtis Pierce HBS’17

Curtis Pierce is a co-founder and managing partner of alternative asset manager Weisburd Capital and producer of the top-ranked “How I Invest” podcast. He began his career in investment banking at Wells Fargo Securities before joining 10X Capital, where he served as a senior vice president on the investment team and later as CFO of a publicly traded company. At the U, Curtis distinguished himself as a student leader across campus. As president of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, he helped raise over $100k for the Rape Recovery Center to support sexual assault awareness and prevention. He represented the David Eccles School of Business (DESB) and served as vice chair of the ASUU Appropriations Committee, was a leader in the Finance Club, and served on The MUSS Board. Curtis was inducted into the Beehive Honor Society in recognition of his academic excellence and service. He currently serves as president of the University of Utah New York Alumni Chapter and as a member of the DESB Young Alumni Council.