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Heather is an experienced community leader and advocate. Before joining CAP Utah, Heather worked with Utah Issues as a Policy Analyst for six years, primarily working on affordable housing. In 2002 Heather launched the Economic Opportunity Initiative to seek methods for low-income Utahns to build assets. As a part of her work at Utah Issues, Heather also initiated the statewide Utah IDA Network. In the fall of 2003 Heather became Utah Issues' Director of Community and Government Relations and began working closely with CAP Utah.
Heather has contributed to and authored numerous publications. As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, Heather has taught a Housing and Community Development course for the Family and Consumer Studies and Urban Planning departments.
As Executive Director of CAP Utah, Heather secured funding to initiate the statewide Earn it. Keep it. Save it. coalition that provides free tax preparations statewide. Heather also initiated CAP Utah's public policy work and the annual Democracy Day held at the State Legislature. Her leadership has also lead to CAP Utah's authorship of Utah's Annual Report on Poverty.
Heather holds a B.S. in Sociology from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
Phone: 801-433-3025Fax: 801-596-2011
Email: heather@caputah.org
As the Asset Development Director for CAP Utah, Paul works on a number of asset building programs, such as Utah Saves, and coordinates the statewide Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Paul also chairs the statewide Earn it. Keep it. Save it. coalition, which brings together community partners from across the state once a month to work on asset-building programs. The Utah VITA effort has over 600 volunteers, working at 51 sites to complete over 15,000 free tax returns annually. Paul previously worked for Utah Food Bank Services in the development department, which ignited his enthusiasm to work with volunteers.
Paul, originally from Northampton, England, earned a Bachelors degree in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Northampton and a Masters degree in Management with a non-profit emphasis from the University of Leicester.
Phone: 801-433-3025Fax: 801-596-2011
Email: paul@caputah.org
Shawn Teigen has been the Housing Policy Analyst for CAP Utah since December of 2006. As an advocate and researcher, he has been involved with numerous issues including foreclosure, zoning, manufactured/mobile homes, redevelopment agencies, homelessness, Housing Credits (Low Income Housing Tax Credits) and the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund.
Shawn sits on the Salt Lake City Housing Advisory Board, providing an advocate's viewpoint to the mayor. He also sits on the board of the Multi-Ethnic Development Corporation, which owns seven apartment projects across the state and one multi-use condominium project.
Shawn previously served two years in Kazakhstan with the U.S. Peace Corps. This experience directed him toward non-profit work. Shawn has a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Utah.
Phone: 801-433-3025Fax: 801-596-2011
Email: shawn@caputah.org
As the Work Supports Policy Analyst at CAP Utah, Melissa works on issues related to Cash Assistance programs such as the Family Employment Program (FEP), Child Care Assistance, General Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, Workforce Development and other programs that help support low- and no-income individuals in achieving self-sufficiency. Melissa co-chairs the Monthly Advocates' Meeting in collaboration with the Utah Health Policy Project, the Department of Workforce Services, and the Department of Health. The Monthly Meeting provides a forum for community advocates and state agencies to work together to find solutions for Utah's poor. Melissa also chairs the Family Investment Coalition, a statewide coalition of organizations dedicated to helping all Utah families become permanently self-sufficient
Previously, Melissa served as an Equal Justice Works/Americorps Attorney in Minnesota where she developed and implemented programs that helped increase the availability of legal services to low-income individuals. She also worked as a research associate and criminologist in Florida where she trained juvenile justice staff and worked on the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice's What Works Initiative, which focused on providing research-based programming to juveniles in the criminal justice system.
Melissa received her law degree in 2001 from the University of Minnesota, and her M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Florida State University in 2008. She has also taught several college level courses on law and the judicial system.
Phone: 801-433-3025Fax: 801-596-2011
Email: melissa@caputah.org
As the Affordable Housing Advocate for CAP Utah, Jessie focuses on protecting the existing affordable housing stock in Utah while raising awareness about the need for additional affordable housing. During the legislative session, Jesse advocates to protect funding for programs that help provide housing for low-income families as well as transitional housing for the homeless. She provides information to the public about state and federal housing legislation that may affect the rights of tenants and homeowners. Jessie also provides technical assistance to the State's Community Action Agencies.
Jessie graduated with degrees in both Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah. She has policy experience from her previous work in Washington, D.C. where she worked on contracts for Health and Human Services and USAID. In addition, Jessie worked in New Delhi, India to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and protect the rights of the infected.
Phone: 801-433-3025Fax: 801-596-2011
Email: jessie@caputah.org
