Utah Global Diplomacy has announced the appointment of eight new directors to its high-profile board. The addition of these directors supports the organization’s continued efforts to promote respect and understanding between the people of Utah and other nations through citizen diplomacy and outcome-driven international relations. The appointments include:
- Gordon Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Visitor Services
- Barney Boynton, CEO & Founder, Go Pave Utah
- Beth Colosimo, Executive Director, The Mill Entrepreneurship Center
- Brayden Wardrop, CEO & Founder, Kyte Learning/Perch
- Judianne Peterson, Community Advocate
- Renzo Andia Mejia, Bilingual Customer Service Lead, Navient
- Laurie Williams Sowby, Community Advocate
- Michael Deaver, Advisor, Strategies 360 & Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Utah
“The addition of these talented and respected Utah leaders to the Utah Global Diplomacy board of directors allows us to further the strategic vision and mission of this impactful organization,” said Jennie Lloyd, Utah Global Diplomacy board chair. “Their experience in international relations, community development and innovation will help us continue to build bridges with foreign nations and local international groups one handshake at a time.”
Charged with directing Utah’s leading international relations nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Utah Global Diplomacy Board of Directors oversees efforts to shape Utah-US-foreign relations by connecting leaders in Utah with individuals from diverse cultures worldwide. The board consists of nonprofit, business and community leaders who are deeply invested in advancing Utah’s growth, stability, and global connectivity.
“These new board members bring with them a wealth of knowledge, experience, connections and passion,” said Felecia Maxfield-Barrett, Utah Global Diplomacy president & CEO. “Each will play a pivotal role in enhancing Utah’s standing on a global stage especially as we support Utah’s international engagement in preparation for the 2034 Winter Olympics.”
Senator Gordon H. Smith, Director of Church Hosting, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sen. Gordon H. Smith served two terms as a U.S. Senator from Oregon (1997–2009), chairing the Senate High Tech Task Force and serving on the Commerce, Finance, Foreign Relations, and Energy and Natural Resources Committees. His Senate work, particularly on technology, broadcast, and international trade, helped shape his expertise in global media and policy. After leaving the Senate, he served as senior advisor at Covington & Burling, LLP, and later as president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, where he led initiatives bridging policy, technology, and media industries.
Gordon and his wife, Sharon, currently serve as Directors of Church Hosting for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, welcoming and coordinating international visitors and dignitaries at church headquarters.
Barney Boynton, CEO & Founder, Go Pave Utah
Barney Boynton is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in facilities, construction, and asphalt management. As CEO and founder of multiple businesses, he has built a reputation for expertise across the full asphalt lifecycle, including maintenance, seal coating, crack sealing, parking lot striping, and concrete work. Beyond implementation, Barney is highly skilled in construction management and exterior property education, ensuring projects are sustainable, cost-effective, and aligned with long-term infrastructure goals. His hands-on leadership and strategic vision have made him a trusted expert in delivering durable, high-quality results for commercial and municipal projects alike.
Beth Colosimo, Former Executive Director, The Mill Entrepreneurship Center
Beth Colosimo most recently served as the Executive Director of The Mill Entrepreneurship Center at Salt Lake Community College, which supports thousands of small business owners through education, resources, and access to capital. The Mill houses the Small Business Development Center, co-working and incubation space, the Veteran and Minority Business Centers, Global Business Center, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and more. Previously, Beth owned Wasatch Home Furnishings and worked in economic development and multinational sales. She has served on numerous boards including the Utah World Trade Center, Utah Microloan Fund, and International Women’s Forum. Passionate about entrepreneurs, family, travel, golf, and adventure, Beth is widely recognized for her leadership.
Brayden Wardrop, CEO & Founder, Kyte Learning/Perch
Brayden is an entrepreneur and technology leader with a strong background in education, business development, and global engagement. As Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, he partners with schools, policymakers, and business leaders to bridge technology and education. He is also the founder of Perch, an HR and training platform serving brands like Swig, Mo’ Bettahs, and Via 313 Pizza. Previously, he founded Kyte Learning, an ed-tech company providing professional development worldwide. He also launched Stride, a business growth platform for entrepreneurs. A fluent Spanish speaker, Brayden has hosted global visitors for 12 years, fostering dialogue, partnerships, and citizen diplomacy.
Judianne Peterson, Community Advocate
Judianne Peterson, from an Idaho farm family of 11, grew up in a close-knit, formative environment. After two years of college, she served an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Porto, Portugal, then earned a B.S. from Brigham Young University and married Randy Peterson. They spent 21 years in Boston, where she taught piano and embraced diverse cultures. Eight years ago, the family moved to Salt Lake City, where Judianne dedicates herself to volunteering and lifelong learning through University of Utah Osher Institute courses. She is passionate about travel, culture, and serving others with compassion.
Renzo Andia Mejia, Bilingual Customer Service Lead, Navient
Renzo Andia Mejia is a dedicated data analyst with experience in human resources, finance, and analytics. He brings a thoughtful, values-driven approach, combining technical proficiency with a commitment to fostering global understanding and community connection. Skilled in SQL, spreadsheets, Tableau, and R, he transforms complex data into actionable insights. A Google Data Analytics Certificate graduate, he excels in problem-solving, data visualization, and ethical data practices. Passionate about diplomacy, inclusion, and open dialogue, Renzo seeks opportunities to align his analytical expertise with meaningful social impact, helping build more informed, inclusive, and globally connected communities.
Laurie Williams Sowby, Community Advocate
Laurie Williams Sowby, a lifelong journalist, musician, and world traveler to over 80 countries, loves connecting with people and exploring their cultures. A Utah native and Brigham Young University graduate, she served on Utah Valley University’s Global Engagement advisory board, taught College Writing for 12 years, and has been active on local symphony and arts boards. Over the past 20 years, Laurie and her husband, Steve, lived in Santiago, Washington, D.C., and New York City, volunteering for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have hosted more than 200 IVLP guests, promoting citizen diplomacy and global understanding.
Michael Deaver, Advisor, Strategies 360 & Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Utah
Mike Deaver is a sought-after public affairs and event production expert with a deep background in sports, entertainment, and events marketing. He is the senior vice president of Strategies 360 and co-founder of Live Strategies Group where he directed the Tooele County tourism brand launch and produced the 2018 Utah Solutions Summit. Previously, he served as Vice President of Development and Events for the Utah Sports Commission, Executive Director of the Governor’s Special Initiatives Office, and Deputy Director of Tourism, helping launch the “Life Elevated” brand. Mike has also held leadership roles at United Concerts and BYU Athletics. He serves on multiple boards, including the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission, and holds a BA in Marketing Communications from BYU. Deaver serves as the honorary consul of Indonesia.
About Utah Global Diplomacy:
Utah Global Diplomacy is committed to promoting respect and understanding between the people of Utah and other nations. This is done through citizen diplomacy - the concept that every individual has the right, even the responsibility, to help shape U.S. foreign relations by connecting with each other one handshake at a time. Utah Global Diplomacy applies citizen diplomacy efforts through its International Exchange Programs (in partnership with the U.S. State Department), World Affairs Lectures, Dialogues, & Conversations, and its Young Diplomats of Utah program. You can join Utah Global Diplomacy’s community and conversations at www.utahglobaldiplomacy.org or by emailing info@utahglobaldiplomacy.org.