Thursday, November 30, 2023
10:30am - 11:30am
UVU Fugal Gateway Concourse (FG)
Representative Hollins:
A 1988 graduate of McDonogh #35 High School in New Orleans, she received her B.S. degree in business management from the University of Phoenix in 2002, as well as her M.A. degree in social work from the University of Utah, College of Social Work in Salt Lake City in 2009.
Rep. Hollins began working as a licensed clinical social worker, focusing primarily on substance abuse and advocacy for Salt Lake City’s homeless population. She has also worked for Volunteers of America Utah, as manager of the organization’s homeless outreach program.
In 2014, Hollins entered state politics, defeating Republican candidate Kristopher Smith to become the first African American woman elected to the Utah State Legislature, representing District 23 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
As a legislator, she served as Minority Caucus Manager, and on several committees.
Rep. Hollins has sponsored several bills that have improved the lives of people in Utah including sponsoring House Bill 156 – or "Ban the Box" bill – which supported removing questions and check boxes from job applications asking about criminal records.
She has served on numerous boards and committees, including Women In Government; Martha Hughes Cannon Caucus; and the Salt Lake City Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Board.
She served as a judge for the Youthlinc Utah Young Humanitarian Award in 2017, and was elected as the western regional director for The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, also serving as co-chair of the Women and Children Committee for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
In 2016, Hollins received the Call to Serve award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She received the Pioneer Award from the Utah African American Chamber of Commerce in 2017, as well as the Business Champion award from the Salt Lake Chamber that same year.
Hollins and her husband, David, are the proud parents of two adult daughters, Jaynell and Canice.
Dr. Jen Seelig:
Dr. Jennifer Seelig has been involved in politics and public service for more than decade at a policymaking and leadership level. She started as a policy and research analyst for the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor Rocky Anderson.
Dr. Seelig was the Associate Director of Governmental Relations, 1-800 CONTACTS. She has served for four years on the Board of Directors of Project CARE (Community Action to Reach the Elderly) and as chair for two years.
Jennifer was elected to represent District 23 in the Utah House of Representatives in November of 2006.
She co-chaired Utah's Women in the Economy Commission. In 2012, her peers in the Utah House Democrat Caucus elected her into the leadership position of Democratic Leader. She is the first woman to serve in this role. Prior to holding this position, Jennifer served in the capacities of Utah House Democratic Caucus Manager and Caucus Whip.
Jennifer completed a Ph.D. in political science at the University of Utah in 2017. She has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Utah and a B.A. in English from the University of Louisville.
Speakers:
