Erika Carlsen represents Salt Lake City’s District 5, bringing a deep commitment to civic leadership, community connection and inclusive governance. Elected in 2025, Carlsen seeks to amplify community voices, support local businesses, and focus on the things that matter most to residents: safe streets, access to green spaces, and a responsive government that works for all of Salt Lake City. Her leadership is grounded in joy, connection, and the belief that everyone has something to contribute to ensuring Salt Lake City is a place all are proud to call home.

Her professional experience spans leadership development, culture building, and civic engagement across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In addition to her service on the Council, Carlsen works with the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, where she advances trust-based approaches and community accountability in the philanthropic sector. She previously served as the Managing Director of Civic Leadership at Coro Northern California, where she led leadership development programs for leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including technology, healthcare, banking, and higher education. Earlier in her career, she worked as an Assistant Director at the Harvard Kennedy School, overseeing multiple scholarship and fellowship programs. She also worked at the Rockwood Leadership Institute, a widely respected national training organization for social change leaders.

A native Utahn and proud Salt Lake City resident, Carlsen is deeply engaged in the community. She has served on the board of local organizations, including Spy Hop, and co-founded the Ballpark Action Team, a neighborhood group focused on building collective power. She currently serves on the board of the Utah Donor Collaborative Foundation and as Advisory Board Chair for Ignite! Utah, an organization that works to mobilize Gen-Z voters across the state.

Carlsen earned a bachelor’s degree in politics summa cum laude from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, with a focus on meditation, mindfulness and leadership. She is an alumna of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and the Institute for International Public Policy.

Carlsen lives in the Ballpark neighborhood with her partner. In her free time, she enjoys walking around Liberty Park, deepening her practice of meditation, playing Scrabble at local restaurants, and spending time with family, friends, and neighbors.