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Salt Lake City Council Appoints New Executive Director Jennifer Bruno
The Council Executive Director reports to the Council and oversees Council staff.
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 27, 2024 – The Salt Lake City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Bruno as the new Executive Director. Bruno has been a Council staff member for nearly 20 years, starting as a policy analyst and being promoted to Deputy Director after five years. Bruno succeeds Cindy Gust-Jenson, who plans to retire in early 2025 after nearly 40 years of dedicated public service to Salt Lake City.
“Any council rarely has the opportunity to feel as confident about an appointment as we do about Jennifer Bruno,” said Council Chair Victoria Petro. “As a trusted member of Council staff, she is uniquely qualified for the role and her leadership will continue to be instrumental in helping us effectively serve our residents and advance progress in our City.”
Bruno brings a wealth of experience to the role of Executive Director. During her time at the Council, she has worked on several major projects, including the reallocation of dormant funds for Salt Lake City’s investment in affordable housing in 2016—an initiative that marked a turning point in the City’s leading approach to addressing the housing crisis. Bruno has also contributed to the negotiations around the Utah Inland Port and the Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention District with the best interests of Salt Lake City residents in mind.
With the Council’s role becoming increasingly engaged and responsive to constituents—and public expectations higher than ever—Bruno is especially proud of Council Staff’s notable work to expand public outreach over the years. These public information efforts help constituents participate in their local government and allow the Council to consider input from all neighborhoods, including historically underrepresented groups.
“I am honored to continue working alongside such a dedicated team,” Bruno said. “We will continue our work to advance the values of transparency, accountability and innovation while expanding and diversifying our office’s community engagement efforts.”
Outside of the Council, her dedication to her fellow Salt Lakers is expressed in her roles as Eccles Theater board member and former Salt Lake City Housing Authority Board Chair. Bruno earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Urban Planning from Yale University and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles. Bruno is also passionate about travel and learning from how other cities address their unique challenges. She also enjoys many of the natural recreation opportunities the Wasatch Front has to offer with her husband and two kids.
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About The Salt Lake City Council:
The Salt Lake City Council is the seven-member legislative branch of Utah’s capital city. The Council sets Salt Lake City’s overall policy direction and allocates resources via the adoption of annual budgets and ordinances. The Council also serves as the Board of Directors for Salt Lake City’s Redevelopment Agency, the Local Building Authority, and the Board of Canvassers. For more information, visit slccouncil.com.