Jonathan Freedman is president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, where he leverages his international business experience to help Utah companies scale globally. He serves on public and private boards and commissions, including the state of Utah’s Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Before joining WTC Utah, Jonathan co-founded Downeast, a clothing and furniture retail chain. Together with his two brothers, they grew the company to 64 locations in seven western states with 1,100 employees. The brothers sold their business to Malouf Companies in March 2020, and Jonathan remained with Downeast, directing production and international sourcing. In September 2023, he was awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the highest honor given to a non-Ukrainian citizen. He and his wife, Leanne, have five children and live in Salt Lake City, Utah.