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Welcome to the Eccles Business Buzz Podcast. My name is Frances Johnson, and your host for our podcast show. We know the Eccles community is only as strong as its alumni network and as I have built relationships with alumni across the nation, I’ve learned how truly remarkable our network is. Our goal is to share alumni stories, perspectives, and voices on topics that are driving conversations around the globe and within our school today. The core values of the Eccles community will underlie everything we discuss here: Entrepreneurial Grit, Continuous Curiosity, Empathetic Global Citizenship, and Impacting Your World.</p><strong><em>Eccles Business Buzz is a production of David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.</em></strong></p>
Today we are continuing our series of conversations with the Kempsey Gardner Policy Institute's 2024 Informed Decision Makers. These are individuals and entities that are recognized for their unique contributions to the prosperity of our community here in Utah.
Here today to get a little bit of the fanfare they deserve are Jerika Mays and Dr. Mark Johnson from the Seager Memorial Clinic. The clinic's mission is to provide underserved populations and individuals with easy-to-access, nonjudgmental, medical, dental, vision, and mental health care. Everything the clinic does is 100 percent free to everyone seeking care.
Jerika serves as the Executive Director of the Seager Memorial Clinic and Dr. Mark Johnson is Vice Chair of the Clinic's Board as well as the Clinic's Volunteer Medical Director.
Listen in as Jerika, Dr. Johnson and Frances discuss the vital role of the Seager Memorial Clinic in providing free, nonjudgmental healthcare to underserved populations in Utah. Our guests highlight the significant barriers to healthcare access and how the clinic addresses these challenges. We’ll also explore the clinic's volunteer-driven model, the economic and social impact of healthcare access, and plans for expansion.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.
What it means to receive nonjudgmental healthcare according to Dr. Mark Johnson
[Dr. Marc Johnson]: 19:05: We don't screen patients at the front door or the front desk to try to determine what their financial situation is. So, we don't ask, do they have insurance, do they have Medicare, do they have Medicaid? What's their demographics? We don't ask for W-2 forms. We don't ask for citizenship documentation, et cetera. So, in that regard, we just take all comers. Patients don't have to worry that they have to produce a lot of documents, you know, to prove that they are in need.
I guess the second part would be the volunteers not judging the patients for, you know, why they are there. There are people there for lots of different reasons. We do see a fair number of patients who have addictions. We see a fair number of patients who are homeless. We see some patients who have just come out of prison. We see patients who speak different languages, come from different backgrounds, some have insurance, some don't. And I think the culture is that we accept them for who they are and withhold judgment. So, I think that helps patients feel welcome because I think, in a lot of cases, those circumstances, you know, they may feel judged before even being seen.
Making healthcare more accessible to the community
[Jerika Mays] 14:02: I think it's easy for patients who don't have insurance to put off their health. You know, they might need to be seen, but they put it off because they don't have a point of access or they aren't in a place financially to afford it.
Even if they do have insurance, maybe the copay is a barrier, right? So, patients might often put it off until it becomes an emergency and they might go to the emergency room. And at that time, it can be a real financial challenge because that can be a big cost for the patient and their family. So, I think by making it more accessible, they feel more comfortable coming to us in those early stages and receiving care before it becomes an emergency.
Plans for expansion: Creating more space to serve more people
[Jerika Mays] 27:27: Something we're very excited about is we're in the process of transforming Ogden's former Family History Library on 24th Street into our new home, where we'll have much more space to expand our services, expand our hours, and see more people in the community. The space is over 7,000 square feet. And we'll include nine exam rooms, a dental suite with three dental operatories, a Class A charitable pharmacy, a room where we can start offering group classes like diabetes management or mental health wellness. We'll have three spaces dedicated for mental health therapy in the future. So, I feel like this space is really going to be a game-changer for our community.
The mission at Circles Salt Lake is “building community to end poverty in Salt Lake County.” They do this by building bridges of friendship and community that support individuals and families on their journey from surviving to thriving, ensuring that everyone they work with has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive.
Leading this critical mission is Executive Director Michelle Crawford. Starting out as a volunteer in 2017 and working her way up to run the organization, Michelle is a passionate and kind member of our community, working fiercely to help those with less.
In this episode of the Eccles Business Buzz host, Frances Johnson sits down with Michelle to discuss eradicating poverty through community building, intentional friendships, personal transformation, and systemic change.
Michelle shares insights on the challenges faced by people living in poverty, the role of social capital, and the importance of community support in achieving financial independence. The episode also highlights the significance of volunteers, the impact of economic instability on the community, and practical steps for fostering economic empowerment.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.
Being in the Circles program empowers participants to dream and forge their own path.
07:35: Once somebody starts their Circles journey, they're going to start with the 12-week training. So, we do this as an introduction to what Circles is and to provide some training around just the understanding of poverty. So, they may be living it, but there's a lot that comes along with that, the social norms of the different income classes. And then they learn the things that we all want to learn, right? Budgeting, goal setting. We teach them to dream and pursue those dreams. And one of our sections of that 12-week training is dream boards. So, we're not here to tell them what their life looks like on the other side of poverty or how to get there. We're here to empower them, to support them, to say, what do you think life looks like for you on the other side of poverty? And then we build that social capital and the resources and the support around them to help them pursue those goals that they've set.
Persistent poverty can perpetuate cycles of intergenerational poverty.
18:37: When part of our population struggles with persistent financial instability, you can imagine the cost is significant. Financial instability leads to increased demand for those social services, higher health care costs, and even reduced productivity. All of these things strain our public resources.When individuals are unable to fully participate in the economy, it stifles our local business growth and reduces the overall economic activity. Persistent poverty can also perpetuate these cycles of intergenerational poverty, leading the long-term economic challenges for our community. And so, another area that Utah is unique, I mean, in a lot of great ways, and one of those is that our state's poverty level is lower than the average national poverty level. But we have a pretty unique high number of intergenerational poverty, which means this cycle that continues. So, for us, we know that investing in financial stability for all members of our community not only improves individual lives, but it strengthens the overall economic health and vitality of the community.
Hope and dignity are deeply intertwined with financial independence.
26:38: When individuals have hope, they believe in the possibility of a better future, and then they're motivated to take the steps towards achieving financial independence.The sense of hope can inspire perseverance, innovation, and then the willingness to seize those opportunities that lead to greater financial stability. Dignity, on the other hand, comes from the ability to support oneself and one's family without relying on others. So, financial independence then restores this sense of control and self-worth, allowing individuals to participate fully in society with confidence.
So much of our lives are spent in a car. Whether it’s driving to work, scooting around kids to friends houses and other activities, or running to the post office, we really are stuck in a car-centric culture. But today’s guest is trying to get us out of that rut, one bicycle at a time.
Donna Matturro McAleer is the Executive Director of Bicycle Collective, a group of non-profit bike shops refurbishing donated bicycles and putting them into the hands of those in need, focusing on children, Newly resettled refugees, immigrants, individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and more.
In this episode, they explore the broader economic, environmental, and community impacts of making bicycles accessible as a form of sustainable transportation. We’ll also hear about the Bicycle Collective's programs, sustainable business model, and pandemic growth.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.
In a car-centric country where transportation poses significant barriers to economic stability, bicycles emerge as a transformative tool.
[03:32] If you think about it, Frances, In Utah, in our country, we are a car-centric country. But if you think about transportation, transportation is a formidable barrier to economic mobility. Access to nearly everything associated with economic progress and upward mobility, whether that's getting to school, getting to a job, getting to a job interview, fairly priced goods and services, medical services, healthcare, depends on the ability to get from one place to another efficiently and in an affordable manner. And that's where a bike can really be a transformative tool, especially in a place like Salt Lake City and throughout this state where so many resources may be concentrated within a few miles.
Choosing a bike over a car can cut your carbon footprint by 67% and transform communities
[08:22] Choosing a bike over a car just once a day reduces the average person's carbon footprint from transportation admissions by 67%. So, that's just once a day. Think about if you use it as your primary form of transportation, a moderate increase in bicycling each year could save 6 to 14 million tons of carbon dioxide. So, there's huge, huge impacts that bicycling has on the individual, on the community, on the economy, and on the environment, all in a positive way. It's not a trade off of one or another. We get to experience all those things with biking.
Bicycle Collective is a resource for everyone
[20:16] Bicycle Collective is really for everyone. Whether you are a first-time cyclist or maybe you want to try a new discipline, but you want to get in at an affordable level. So, maybe you never tried mountain biking and you want to get a mountain bike or you want to start road riding or, hey, I've been road riding, I've been mountain biking, but I want to be a bike commuter. We are a great resource for cycling enthusiasts, first-timers.
Our guest today calls herself an “unabashed promoter of Utah,” and has the resume to back it up.
Theresa Foxley is a Utah native, and has spent her career championing economic growth in Utah and serves her community through numerous boards and initiatives. For example, Teresa's commitment to business recruitment as the President and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah brought numerous corporations to the state, with an eye on the distribution of economic impact for the entire state, especially rural Utah.
Theresa is currently Chief of Staff to rPlus Energies, a national leader in utility scale, renewable energy, and energy storage development.
She chats with host Frances Johnson this episode all about Utah’s future in renewable energy, starting with the state's unique demographics, infrastructure, and economic strengths. Teresa shares insights on large-scale renewable projects, the balance between growth and environmental stewardship, and the promising intersection of renewable energy and economic development in rural Utah.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.
How renewable energy bridges the gap between Utah's economic growth and preserving the quality of life
[05:11] It is really important that we preserve these incredible assets that we have, these beautiful physical natural assets that we have as a state. I heard, over and over again, when I was leading the economic development organization, Economic Development Corporation EDC Utah, from employers that, gosh, I knew I would find a great local workforce in Utah, but I'm so pleasantly surprised at how easy it’s been for me to recruit people in from out of state. I see it myself here now, being on the leadership team of rPlus Energies and being involved in our recruitment, how enthusiastic people are about, either, relocating to Utah or how happy they are to be able to, now, have a job in renewable energy in the state of Utah to be able to stay here. We do have a number of team members who found their way to rPlus Energies via another state and who seem to, kind of, say, "I never thought I'd be in Utah, but now I never want to leave."
While renewable energy may create fewer jobs than thermal power plants, it brings significant benefits to local communities.
[Frances Johnson] [20:56]: In rural Utah, in particular, what is the economic impact of bringing these projects online?
[Theresa Foxley]: It's pretty significant. The Green River Energy Center with an over $1 billion capital investment really means significant impact to local property tax revenue. And this is property tax revenue that can be utilized by the taxing entities, the county, the school district, et cetera, to invest in roads, libraries, schools. There's a very significant injection of talent. During the construction process, we'll have some 500 workers on site at peak for the Green River Energy Center. And though you're correct in that the generating facilities for renewable energy projects don't tend to have the same number of jobs attached to them as maybe a thermal power plant, there are a number of other ways that these projects do benefit local communities, again, through their construction, through local design, engineering, consulting work, law firms, others that are hired to help to go and help support and to put together the project financings and the construction of these projects.
The future of renewable energy in Utah
[27:54]: And I just see Utah continuing to lead on this. We have all of the ingredients to be successful leaders in this future energy space because of the abundance of energy resources that we've had, whether those have been resources that come from underground or above ground, like solar and wind. I see a really bright future for Utah and energy development here in the state.
Welcome back to our 7th season of the Eccles Business Buzz! And what better way to kick it off than with our new Dean Kurt Dirks.
Dean Dirks started his role just a few months ago, on July 1st, 2024. Prior to joining us here at the Eccles School, Dean Dirks was the Bank of America Professor of Leadership at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to serving as a faculty member, Dean Dirks served in multiple senior leadership roles at WashU, including as Acting Provost, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Leadership, Vice Chancellor of International Affairs, and as Senior Associate Dean and Interim Dean at the Business School.
Kurt sits down with Host Frances Johnson to share with us a bit about his journey as a first-generation college student, the critical role of public universities, and the importance of creating a culture of belonging at the Eccles School. Dean Dirks also discusses his vision for business impact, the significance of ethical leadership and trust, and the evolving landscape of business education and AI at Eccles.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.
The significance of ethical leadership and trust in shaping our approach to emerging technologies like AI
[Dean Kirk Dirks] 22:01: We have a responsible AI initiative at the U, which is thinking about this, not just at the business school, but across the entire university. And so, it's something that we are a part of, our faculty are a part of, and thinking about that.
On the other side of it is certainly thinking about helping our students understand their values. And when those values get challenged, how do they respond to them? Certainly, something important about being leader in whatever way we think about that, that term is really understanding your responsibility in society, in business to try to make the world better and how that applies in, you know, day to day life. And so, that's certainly one of the areas where I hope we can get each of our students to think about, that their role as a leader in society, making the world better and how that is steered by their values and their purpose.
[Frances Johnson] And again, this idea that everything is business, right? We're not just learning to crunch numbers. We're not just learning to analyze data, but we're really thinking about, what's important to me? How can I bring that to an organization? How can I seek out organizations that align with that? And then how can I make a positive difference? So, the interconnection really continues.
[Dean Kirk Dirks] Very powerful. There is no doubt that, if we help our students along all those facets, again, the values, the quantitative and economic skills that they have and the business mindset, I think we're going to serve them well for their life and career.
How building trust can foster a unified community
[Frances Johnson] 07:25: What role does trust play as we really try to build a cohesive community at the Eccles School where everyone has a place?
[Dean Kirk] 07:44: In terms of the role of trust and how that fits with them, when we think about earning that trust, it really is around three things. And I think it speaks to this notion. One is a sense of competence and capability, that we have the knowledge and skills and support to really help them be able to succeed at what they want to do. Second is we talked about character, that piece of values that is important to allow students to feel a connection and that our values are consistent with theirs. And then the last piece, which really speaks directly to this is caring, that, often, when people want to be able to trust someone, they want to know that, we think about them and care about them. And I think that's a really important part of this set.
Dean Kurt shares a piece of advice he wished he had when he was starting his college journey
30:22: One of the most wonderful parts about being a university student is that self-discovery. You're certainly learning a lot about business, but equally important, learning a lot about yourselves and new paths. So, go out and try something new this semester. Meet a new group of people, try a new experience at the U, something that you may not have done before. And perhaps, you'll get a surprise that maybe it becomes your future.
Season 7 of the Eccles Business Buzz Podcast is just around the corner, and we are so excited to welcome you back. I'm your host, Frances Johnson. Join me this season for an introduction to the new Dean of the David Eccles School of Business and a series of conversations with the Kempsey Gardner Policy Institute's informed decision-makers of the year.
We'll hear about how renewable energy and free bicycles are contributing to Utah's economic recovery and vitality, why accessible medical and mental health care is more important than ever, and how building community can help end poverty. We'll also explore one of the hottest business topics out there: AI.
The first episode of Season 7 drops on September 19th with new episodes coming every other Thursday. I know you won't want to miss a single one, so make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and invite a friend or fellow alum to listen with you too.
We can't wait for you to join us again!
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.
While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.
In one of these standout episodes, we delve into the ongoing debate about the value of a bachelor's degree. Despite the rise in scrutiny of bachelor’s degrees, research shows that having access to college is a key indicator of future economic and financial success as well as physical and emotional well-being.
Studies show that people with bachelor's degrees have 57% more job opportunities than people with high school diplomas, and 60% of workers with bachelor’s degrees reported being highly satisfied at work, while only 38% of workers without college degrees reported being highly satisfied.
If a degree can play such a pivotal role in someone’s overall future success, how can access to college be expanded so that students can not just get in but thrive while they’re in school and graduate? Tara Hardison, assistant dean for undergraduate programs at the David Eccles School of Business, works on that question every day.
In this episode from Season 6, she joins host Frances Johnson to chat about the real-world impacts a college degree can have on someone’s life, the ways Eccles is helping first-generation and low-income students, and why that support doesn’t end after students have been handed a degree.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.
While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.
In this episode from Season 5, we will talk about some solutions, and how the Eccles School is working to prepare women – and all students – for a more successful and equitable workplace experience.
With us in this episode is Katie Abby, Special Advisor to the President of the University of Utah and Assistant Dean of Business Career Success and Corporate Outreach at the David Eccles School of Business. An experienced staffing executive, Katie graduated from the U in 1984 and, in 1990, co-founded VISTA Staffing Solutions, where she served as COO and then President.
She transferred her skills as an entrepreneur to build a professional placement firm at the Eccles School and is now scaling this program to other colleges on the University of Utah campus. Katie sits down with host Frances Johnson and chats about building confidence, becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, practicing empathy in the workplace, and what millennials and boomers can learn from each other.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.
While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.
In this episode from Season 4, Simone Lawrence, manager of the IMPACT program at the David Eccles School of Business, discusses impact and inclusion. IMPACT is a partnership between the Eccles School and Historically Black Colleges and Universities to bring these students to the U for the summer. The goal of the program is to expose participants to new experiences and show them the difference they can make in places they didn’t expect.
Simone joins host Frances Johnson to talk about having a real opportunity to make a difference during her internship with PluralSight, her hopes for the IMPACT program as Manager, navigating Utah as a person of color, and working with companies to implement meaningful DEI initiatives.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.
While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.
In this episode from Season 3, we'll be talking not just about curiosity but also about how pursuing our curiosity can help prepare us to make a positive and lasting impact on the people and the communities around us.
That’s just what Sadie Bowler has been doing. As a sophomore at the David Eccles School of Business and a resident at Lassonde Studios, Sadie is also running SadieB Personal Care, a personal care brand with a goal to empower Gen Z girls and change the health and beauty industry.
She chats with Frances about creating a beauty brand that speaks to Gen Z girls like her, having an in-house mental health expert on her staff, SadieB’s partnership with Girls Up United Nations Foundation, and how she is growing her business at Lassonde.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.
Amanda is a wife. A mother. A blogger. A Christian.
A charming, beautiful, bubbly, young woman who lives life to the fullest.
But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.
She starts a blog detailing her cancer journey, and becomes an inspiration, touching and
captivating her local community as well as followers all over the world.
Until one day investigative producer Nancy gets an anonymous tip telling her to look at Amanda’s
blog, setting Nancy on an unimaginable road to uncover Amanda’s secret.
Award winning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but
all-too-real tale, of a woman from San Jose, California whose secret ripped a family apart and
left a community in shock.
Scamanda is the true story of a woman whose own words held the key to her secret.
New episodes every Monday.
Follow Scamanda on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Amanda’s blog posts are read by actor Kendall Horn.
