Project ElectEd

In the final episode of this season, Audrey interviews Kara Toone, internal partnerships and grants coordinator at the Davis Education Foundation. The two discuss how Kara became more involved in her community over the years, her experience running for office, and her time as a campaign manager.  Learn more about Project Elect here.   

This week, Audrey interviews Cecilee Price-Huish, a member of the Bountiful City Council. The two discuss Cecilee's lifetime of community engagement and her run for the Bountiful City Council. Cecilee shares the way she found success by giving herself permission to make a difference.  Learn more about Project Elect here. 

This week, Audrey interviews Susan Madsen, the founder of "A Bolder Way Forward," an initiative bringing stakeholders together to improve life for Utah women and girls.  Read "Rise and Run: Latter-day Saint Women and Good Governance" here.  Learn more about A Bolder Way Forward here.  Learn more about Project Elect here. 

This week, Audrey interviews Patty Kubeja, a member of the Kane County Commission. Recently, the county made history by becoming first all-women county commission in Utah. This isn't the first time Kane County has made history for an all-women governing body- in 1911 five women were elected to serve on the Kanab County Council.  In this interview, the two talk about this legacy, Patty's military service, and what led her to run for county commission.  Salt Lake Tribune: Utah's first all-female government started as a joke. A century later, this county is making history again. Learn more about Project Elect: projectelectwomen.org.  

This week, Audrey is joined by her friend, Becki Wright, the CEO and founder of Proximity. Proximity is a software company dedicated to helping great leaders serve their communities better. In this episode, the two discuss the many ways women can be more politically involved, including opportunities for working on campaigns.  Learn more about Project Elect: projectelectwomen.org.  Learn more about Proximity: proximitycampaigns.com Read "A Plea to My Sisters." 

Ann Mackin is a higher education administrator with a passion for serving her community through boards and commissions. She and Audrey are both involved in A Bolder Way Forward, which is an organization dedicated to advancing Utah girls and women. In this episode, Ann shares how to get involved with community service and discusses the importance of advocating for yourself.  Learn more about Project Elect: projectelectwomen.org.  Learn more about A Bolder Way Forward: usu.edu/uwlp/a-bolder-way-forward/overview  

This week, Audrey is joined by Brooke Scheffler, the Director of Boards and Commissions in the Utah Governor's Office. The two continue the conversation about how to join a board or commission.  Learn more about state-wide board positions open in Utah at: boards.utah.gov. Contact Brooke for support applying to a board: bscheffler@utah.gov. Learn more about Project Elect: projectelectwomen.org. 

This week, Audrey interviews Nina Barnes, a Southern Utah community leader. Nina has served on the Ceader City council, the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees, the Utah System of High Education board, and most recently the board of the Policy Project. During their conversation, Nina shares insights on how board service can be a meaningful and accessible way for Latter-day Saint women to step into public service and strengthen their communities. Learn more about Project Elect here: projectelectwomen.org.

This week, Audrey interviews Marsha Judkins. Marsha is a Republican who has served for more than six years in the Utah House of Representatives. The two discuss why she first decided to run for office and why she thinks it's important for other women to throw their hats into the ring.  Nominate a woman to run for office here: https://projectelectwomen.org/recruit/ Learn more about Project Elect here: https://projectelectwomen.org  

This week, Audrey interviews Jillaire McMillan, whose race for the Colorado House of Representatives is still too close to call. In August, Jillaire became the Democratic candidate for Colorado House District 19 after the incumbent unexpectedly dropped out. The two discuss why she wanted to run, how she prepared, and how she's dealt with negative campaigning.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

This week, Audrey interviewed Cindy Davis about her races for the Utah State Board of Education. Cindy shared about the differences between each time she ran, why it's important to her to serve her community, and some great advice her 12-year-old gave her.  Learn more about Project Elect here.    

In this episode, Audrey is joined by Lori Spruance, an independent candidate running for the 24th Utah State Senate district. Lori is a public health professor at BYU and her expertise focuses on resources that help kids thrive in schools. In this interview the two talk about why Lori decided to run now, how her social network is helping her and the importance of stretching yourself.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

This week, Audrey interviews Marissa Jackson, a candidate for the Huntington Beach, CA City Council. The two discuss how Marissa's husband encouraged her to run and how her experience as a parent shapes the issues she is concerned about.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

This week, Audrey interviewed Gretchen Rydin, a member of the Littleton, CO City Council. Gretchen is a social worker who first ran for office to become more engaged in her community. She is now running as the Democratic candidate for Colorado State House District 38.   Learn more about Project Elect here.

The Project Elected Podcast is back and in this episode, Audrey interviews Erin Rider, the Republican candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor. The two discuss Erin's first campaign, why she chose this race, and the benefits of running for office whether or not you win.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

This week Audrey is joined by Celeste Maloy, who represents Utah's Second  Congressional District. Celeste is the third Latter-day Saint woman to serve in the House of Representatives and in this episode she shares about her unexpected path to office and her commitment to make the path easier for those who will follow her.  The Project Elected podcast is taking a break for the summer and will be back in the fall. Be sure to follow us on social media for more updates! Learn more about Project Elect here.

In this episode, Audrey is Gay Lynn Bennion, a Democratic member of the Utah House of Representatives. Gay Lynn shares how her involvement with community organizations helped her when she ran for office in 2024 and about how she works to listen to all her constituents, even when they see things differently.  Learn more about Project Elect here. 

In this episode, Audrey chats with Rachelle Morris, a Republican candidate for the Salt Lake County Council. Rachelle shares how she decided to run, the support of LDS women that has helped her in her race, and how this race is benefiting her family.  Learn more about Project Elect here.  

Lori Bishop, a candidate for the Idaho State Senate, joined Audrey in this week's episode. Lori is a Republican running for Idaho Senate 10 and chose to pursue this seat when things in her life shifted and she found herself with more time. She shares what she has learned about dealing with negative campaigning, raising money, and connecting with others.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

Mayor Julie Fulmer of Vineyard, Utah chatted with Audrey about how she became involved in politics and how her desire to shape her new community led her to run for mayor. Julie says that when she faces challenges, she's learned leading from a place of love makes all the difference.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

In this episode, Audrey is joined by Kathryn Dahlin, a Republican candidate for Utah's Third Congressional Candidate. Kathyrn shares how both her professional and community experience have helped prepare her to run, but that no matter what you do, there is never a right time to run for office.  Learn more about Project Elect here.

In this episode, Audrey interviews Emily Bell McCormick, founder of The Policy Project. This Utah-based non-profit is working to improve people's lives through public policy. Learn more about Emily's journey to this work and how her faith guides her.  Learn more about The Policy Project here. Learn more about Project Elect here.

This episode's conversation features Michelle Quist, a United Utah candidate running for Utah Attorney General. In this episode, Michelle shares why she chose to run as a third-party candidate, what she hopes to bring to the race, and what she has learned from previous runs for office.  Learn more about Project Elect: https://projectelectwomen.org/

This week, Audrey interviews Rachel Terry, a Republican candidate for Utah Attorney General. For years, Rachel thought she might run for office someday. When the opportunity to run for AG arose, she started voicing this desire aloud and says this made all the difference.  Learn more about Project Elecet: https://projectelectwomen.org/.  

In the latest episode of the Project Elected podcast, Audrey interviews Jenn Gale, a newly elected Orem City Council member. As Jenn's kids grew up and found their interests in swimming and mountain biking, Jenn became involved in her community by supporting those activities. Her work in her community led to her going back to school to get a master's in public administration which she will complete this April. In this conversation, Jenn shares how her ancestors helped her find the courage to run for office and what she hopes to do now that she is elected. 

In this episode of the Project Elected Podcast Audrey interviews Alisa Allred Mercer, a candidate for the Davis School Board, about how her experience in non-profit service and managing volunteers for the Becky Edwards campaign prepared her for her run. 

In this episode, Audrey chats with Katie Witt. Katie's most recent elected office was as mayor of Kaysville, Utah. Following that she ran for United States Congress. In this conversation, the two chat about why Katie has been drawn to running for office throughout her adult life and the value running has no matter the outcome. 

In this conversation, Audrey interviews Kim Rodella about her unexpected journey to the Highland City Council, and how this experience helps in her work with the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. 

In this episode, Audrey chats with her good friend Candace Andersen about her more than three decades of public service. Andersen began her journey into politics as a young mother when she was appointed to two city commissions at once. From there she's served as a city council member, a mayor, and now a county supervisor. In addition to sharing her story, Andersen provides guidance in this conversation for how women who want to be more involved can get started. 

In this episode, Audrey sits with Kristin Andrus, the Community Champion for The Policy Project. It's unusual for us to have a guest who isn't an elected official. However, she's made a big impact on public policy and is an awesome example of how to get involved without running for office.

Alexa is a remarkable 16-year-old young woman who is the Mayor of the Vineyard Youth Council and the Governor of ALA Utah Girls State. Her story may inspire a new generation of young women to become involved in their communities.

This time, Audrey sits down with Shaunte Ruiz Zundel. They discuss Shaunte's run for Orem City Council as a mom with small children and how women in all stages of life can run for office.

Check out Miriam's conversation with Audrey about her career and her desire for more women in politics.

Audrey sits down with Merrliee Boyack to talk about what led her to become a community leader. Don't miss out on her great advice in this episode or Project Elected

Utah's Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson shares her unconventional path to public office, and what first inspired her to run for office, as well as insecurities she felt along the way.  We talk about why women make such incredible public servants, and why we need more women to run.

In this episode, Audrey sits down with Cyd LeMone, Pleasant Grove City Councilmember.

Sit down with Audrey as she interviews Bountiful City Councilwoman, Millicent Segura Bahr and hear her stories.

This week, Audrey sits with Katie Olson to discuss her campaign and what drove her to get involved in politics.

In this episode, Audrey interviews Sue Gong. Listen to learn about what inspired her to run for office.

Audrey sits down with Rebecca Casper, mayor of Idaho Falls, Idaho, as they discuss running for office, holding office, and more of what may hold Latter-day Saint women back from running and how to overcome those obstacles.

Audrey sits down with Debby Lauret, a City Council Woman at City of Orem Government, for a chat about her experiences running for office and as a city council woman.

In this episode, Audrey sits down with Elizabeth Harmer Dionne and they discuss how she got started in politics and her experience while running for office for the first time.

Audrey sat down with Lyndsay Peterson to discuss her experience while running for Mayor of North Logan.

In this episode, Audrey sat with Margaret Woolley Busse, the Executive Director of Utah's Department of Commerce,  https://governor.utah.gov/cabinet/margaret-busse/

Audrey interviews Rachelle Price, President of the Rocklin Unified School Board, about what led her to run for office  and what it's been like to work with schools and parents during COVID-19 mandates.

Are you thinking of running for office but don't know how to recruit and manage volunteers? Is running for office not for you, but you want to get involved in politics to support someone you believe in? This Power Hour is for you! Learn the ins and outs of campaign volunteers with expert campaign manager and political consultant Andy Pierucci.

This Power Hour is all about being effective when running for office. Aimee Winder Newton of the Salt Lake County Council shares tips on how to become an effective campaigner.

Tune in to tap into Becky Edward's years of experience as an elected official. She explains how to make your voice heard in public office in this phenomenal episode.

Our most requested Power Hour topic: how to get started with campaign fundraising. Fundraising pro Melissa Richmond, Chief Strategy Officer of Running Start and former presidential campaign staffer, teaches us the basics of fundraising.