Salt Lake City

Department of Economic Development

Phone: (801) 535-7200 | Email: ed@slcgov.com

Kristen Lavalett

Kristen Lavalett

Business Advisory Board, Ex-Oficio Member

Kristen Lavelett has been an ex-oficio member of Salt Lake City’s Business Advisory Board since 2012.

Kristen is the Executive Director of Local First Utah, a nonprofit organization that works to educate the public, government, and business owners themselves about the value and vitality of locally owned, independent businesses to our economy and communities.

A former journalist, curriculum developer and playwright, Kristen now leads the “buy local” movement in Utah, advocating for independent businesses on state, county, and city levels in both urban and rural communities. Her expertise in branding, campaign coordination, and collaborative enterprises have spurred economic development through place making in her hometown of Salt Lake City, and across the state of Utah.

In addition to helping with the Business Advisory Board, she is a member of the Board of Directors for Urban Food Connections of Utah and Vice President of the Granary District Alliance.

Thank you Kristen for bringing your enthusiasm, service and expertise to Salt Lake City!


About the Business Advisory Board:
The Business Advisory Board (BAB) is made up of city business owners and community leaders who partner with Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. Its members are appointed by the mayor and must be SLC residents and/or have ownership interest in a Salt Lake City business. BAB helps direct city economic policy, promotes small business growth, supports local entrepreneurs, and encourages businesses to relocate to our city.

As part of an ongoing effort to keep SLC’s business community in the loop, the BAB shares synopses of monthly meetings on the Salt Lake City Economic Development’s blog page. Recordings are available to the public as well.