Our Team

Shawn Teigen, President

Shawn has worked for the Utah Foundation for well over a decade – researching a broad swath of public policy issues. He also taught many of those issues to master’s students at the University of Utah. Shawn has worked as a housing policy analyst, a consultant to early-stage businesses, and a founder of an organization focused on foreign investment-related economic development. He serves as a board member for numerous public-sector, private-sector, and nonprofit organizations. Shawn has always been active in volunteering, including a two-year stint in Kazakhstan with the U.S. Peace Corps.

Phone: (801) 355-1400, ext. 1
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Christopher Collard, Research Director

Christopher’s research and infographics have been recognized with national awards. That work is driven by two aspirations: to compose nuanced research that captures multiple points of view and deconstruct large datasets into understandable details in order to inform decisions. Christopher’s concentrations at BYU in international relations, Portuguese, Arabic and math culminated in a Master of Public Policy degree at the University of Utah. His curiosity tends to make him something of a serial hobbyist with current interests in bird watching and puzzles.

Phone: (801) 355-1400, ext. 2
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Ashley Marshall-Cantor, Research Analyst/ Creative Director

Ashley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. The combination of her critical thinking skills, writing skills, and character ensures that our research remains focused upon the individuals and communities that our work is designed to help while also providing a fantastic unifying force for the Utah Foundation team. Ashley also has ample experience working in the child welfare sphere and as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Through that work she became exceptionally passionate about policy and creating dialogue among communities to create lasting and meaningful societal change.

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Meg Luther, Outreach Coordinator

Meg has spend the past decade in event management and fund-raising, having worked in both the nonprofit sector and the hotel industry. Her recent experience includes event management positions at Boston University and Partners HealthCare in Somerville, Mass. She also has worked as a realtor. She holds a BA in Art History and Communications from Merrimack College. She holds a professional fundraising certificate from Boston University and is a certified meeting professional (Convention Industry Council).

Phone: (801) 355-1400, ext. 4
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Kathryn Macdonald-Poelman, Research Consultant

Kathryn Macdonald-Poelman is a research consultant whose work focuses on healthcare policy and economic issues in Utah. She has conducted economic and public policy research for the Utah State Legislature, The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. She brings years of experience in healthcare research, including work in disability populations, chronic disease, rural access, and program sustainability. Her work combines quantitative analysis with qualitative research and stakeholder engagement to translate complex policy issues into actionable insights. Kathryn is driven by a commitment to evidence-based decision-making and to grounding policy discussions in real-world impacts on individuals, families, and communities.

Ananya Iyengar, Research Assistant

Ananya is currently a junior at the University of Utah studying Data Science. She applies her skills in data analysis and visualization across a range of academic and independent projects. Ananya is especially passionate about using data to inform and improve public policy and community outcomes, and hopes to use her work to promote evidence-based policies that create meaningful change. After graduation, she plans to continue working in the non-profit sector and pursue graduate studies in Data Science.

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Stine Jergensen, Research Intern

Anna Stine Jergensen is an incoming junior at the University of Utah studying Political Science with a minor in History. Growing up in Salt Lake City, she’s passionate about helping inform on policies that can both improve her home state and develop broader civic engagement. She has an interest working in the foreign policy sphere, particularly with the State Department. With her free time, she enjoys participating in her choir, practicing classical piano, and watching documentaries on any historical or astronomical subject

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Holden Cheney, Research Intern

Holden is a recent graduate of the University of Utah Honors College, where he earned degrees in Economics and Political Science. He is passionate about using data to understand economic trends and the public decisions that shape people’s lives. He has worked in analytical roles in both government and academic settings, applying quantitative methods and data visualization to develop insights from complex information. He is pursuing a career where he can continue applying his analytical skills to real-world economic questions and contribute to sound decision-making.

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Jackson Sheen, Research Intern

Jackson is a senior at Utah State University studying economics, political science, and geography. He is interested in a data-driven approach to local governance. Previously, he interned with the Utah State Legislature and served on USU’s Intern Advisory Board. Upon graduating, Jackson hopes to work in either wildland fire or land development and planning. His professional interests are mirrored by his personal ones which include the outdoors, history, and maps.

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Jazlynn Landeros, Research Intern

Jazlynn is a third year student at the University of Utah, where she is studying economics and statistical analysis. She previously worked as a research assistant at the Matheson Center for Healthcare Studies, assisting on projects related to public health and social media. Jazlynn plans to pursue a graduate degree in economics or political science, furthering her career in data analytics and policy research. Outside of school, she can be found crafting at the pottery studio or snowboarding with friends

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Lucas Rodrigues Souza, Research Intern

Lucas is a graduate student in the M.S. in International Affairs and Global Enterprise program at the University of Utah, pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy. Originally from Brazil, he earned a law degree from the Federal University of Santa Catarina and worked as a lawyer and public servant before coming to Utah. He is interested in trade, economic policy, and energy policy, and enjoys reading, hiking, skiing, soccer, and talking with people from different backgrounds.

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Maren Cottrell, Research Intern

Maren is a junior at the University of Utah studying Quantitative Analysis of Markets and Organizations, with a double minor in Information Systems and Human Rights & Resources. She is deeply passionate about evidence-based policy and using data to push for effective solutions. Her primary focus is the intersection of business and public policy, specifically examining the role of government as a third party in market systems. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, traveling, and engaging with her community.

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