Listen to this articleEquality Utah today announced the appointment of Brandie Balken as Interim Executive Director. The appointment will run for an undetermined period as Balken will serve through the upcoming endorsement process, the Allies Dinner and the November election cycle.
Group leaders appointed Balken “to assist the organization during this transitional period while the search for a full-time Executive Director continues,” board president Stephanie Pappas said in a statement. “She has strong business and management skills, has worked extensively as a leader and organizer in the gay and transgender community, and has also served on the EU board and co-chaired the Allies Dinner the past two years. The board feels she will bring continuity and new energy to the leadership of our organization as we continue to forward our mission of a Fair and Just Utah and work to find Common Ground.”
Balken has worked with the Utah Pride Center, sWerve Utah, KRCL-FM Radio, the Inclusion Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights among others. She was also a columnist for QSaltLake when it first started.
