BOARD CHAIR

Natalie Okeson serves as the Vice President for External Affairs and Corporate Responsibility for Clarke Capital Partners, as well as the Executive Director of the Labor & Honor Foundation, the family foundation of James and Andrea Clarke.  Natalie has two decades of experience spanning the political, nonprofit, and higher education sectors where she honed her skills in campaign operations and organizing; legislative, advocacy, and policy work; fundraising, grant writing, and corporate giving.  She has led organizations as diverse as a health and human services nonprofit serving vulnerable populations in Hawaii to the Northern Nevada office of US Senator Jacky Rosen.  Natalie, a Utah BusinessQ Magazine 40 Under 40, holds an MA in Political Science, an MA in Nonprofit Administration, and a graduate certificate in Corporate Responsibility from Harvard.  She and her husband, Todd, Associate Head Coach for Utah Valley Men’s Basketball, have three children.

FINANCIAL OFFICER

Hal has been instrumental in the growth and vision of Soltis Investment Advisors. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2013 to 2017, after holding the positions of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Investment Officer since 1993. Additionally, Hal served as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. After a three-year ecclesiastical leave, he returned in July 2020 to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Managers and Chair of the Private Alternative Investment Committee.

Hal holds a B.A. in International Relations and an MBA from Brigham Young University (BYU) and its Marriott School of Management, respectively. He has served on various boards, including the Sutherland Institute, Zion Natural History Association, BYU Alumni Association, National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) Government Affairs Committee, Challenger Schools, and BYU Management Society of St. George. Hal is also an adjunct instructor in the Finance Department at Utah Tech University, where he teaches portfolio management. He and his wife, Julie, have six children and 22 grandchildren.

SECRETARY

With over 25 years working in the legal community, Kristen Fugal brings a wealth of experience with her current emphasis on philanthropy and lifting the community. 

Kristen graduated from the University of Utah in addition to completing studies at Utah Valley University and licensed paralegal certification at The University of Texas at Austin and Utah Valley University. She spent over 14 years as a senior licensed paralegal with Parr Brown Gee & Loveless following over seven years with Callister Nebeker & McCullough, among others. She is currently Director of Legal Affairs for Adamantium Real Estate.

Kristen has a seasoned background in the non-profit sector and currently serves on the Philanthropy Advisory committee of Saprea and Board of Trustees of Globus Relief. Previously, she served as a Board Member for Intermountain Medical Center - Patient Family Advisory Council and as a Development Volunteer at Catholic Community Services. 

She and her husband Brandon reside in their hometown of Pleasant Grove, Utah and have seven children and a Shih Tzu named Arthur.

BOARD MEMBERS

Bertha grew up in Logan, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance. She taught at BYU for 6 years prior to moving to Denver.

Craig is a certified financial planner (CFP®), a certified business exit consultant (CBEC®) and the owner of a financial advisory firm specializing in helping business owners through the emotional hurdles of succession, estate and investment planning.  He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications.

They have four children and 15 grandchildren. The McIlroys served 7 years as BYU chapter chairs for Colorado and then both served on the National BYU Alumni Association Board.  Craig was President of the BYU Alumni Association from 2006-2008.  They enjoy scuba diving, biking, golf, hiking, hunting and travel.

ADVISORY BOARD

Andrea is the Founder and Co-Chair, The Labor and Honor Foundation

Andrea E. Clarke is an accomplished businesswoman and philanthropist. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from University of Utah’s Eccles School of Business and a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in Non-Profit Management. Andrea’s early career included working in computer electronics for some of the world’s fastest growing organizations—Megahertz, US Robotics and 3COM. Years later, she was recruited as a sales representative for two of the most well-known pharmaceutical companies, one of which recognized her as the top employee in the entire company.

In the early 2000’s, Andrea and James Clarke founded CLEARLINK, as well as began growing their family of five. The Clarkes are now founders, investors, and operators of private and public companies on five continents with over 36,000 employees globally.

Andrea has dedicated her life to her family and makes time to support a number of causes in her community and abroad. She is a member of the board of Charity Vision and the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, and she serves as a Governor-appointed Trustee for Utah Valley University, as well as Chair of the Stella H. Oaks Foundation.

With her exceptional background in nonprofits, Andrea closely oversees the affairs of The Labor and Honor Foundation, the Clarke’s family charity, which focuses on poverty alleviation, education, and the arts. The name of the foundation is derived from the Clarkes’ English family crest dating back centuries, which instills that whether a task be great or small, ALL work should be done with honor. The Clarkes’ hope is that through their efforts, they might improve the lives of others by giving back with humble thanksgiving for life’s many blessings.

ADVISORY BOARD

FOUNDATION ADVISOR

ADVISORY BOARD

Christina Hicks is co-owner of Insight for Leadership with her husband, Eric. Christina coaches executives and their teams to reach higher levels of performance and accountability. With a focus on tapping into unrealized potential, Christina uses strength-based coaching to help her clients elevate their performance.

Christina worked at colleges and universities for 26 years as an Academic Dean, Professor of Psychology and Family Studies, and Director of Institutional Advancement. She has presented at many international conferences and won several national teaching awards.

Christina currently works with the Forever Young Foundation founded by NFL hall-of-famer, Steve Young. She has also served as a major gifts officer for LDS Philanthropies.

Christina has a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, a Family Development Credential from Cornell University, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Arizona State University.

Christina and Eric have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. Christina is a cancer survivor.  She was bald for two years and therefore says, “Every single day is a good hair day”. Christina and Eric love to hike, ski, and travel. They love spending summers at their ranch in Montana.

ADVISORY BOARD

Lee held the position of Global Director of Leadership Development for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was part of the Missionary Department. He previously advised various Fortune 500 companies, creating courseware and providing training tailored to client requirements. The projects encompassed media training, communication skills, conflict resolution techniques, and ensuring organizational alignment with business strategy. He broke new ground in computer-based training. He has also led change initiative projects across six continents.

Lee graduated from the University of Utah with a BA and Brigham Young University with an MS. He served on the board of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association. Lee has authored and jointly edited ten books about communication and religious studies. 

He and his wife, Meg, raised their five children near Chicago. They now live in Kaysville, Utah, and have twenty grandchildren. 

FOUNDER, PRODUCER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

GRAMMY-nominated Artist and Producer Jenny Oaks Baker is one of America’s most beloved and accomplished violinists. Whether her music is experienced live or through one of her many recordings, it is impossible to escape the magic of her artistry.

America’s Violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker, is a GRAMMY-nominated, Billboard No. 1 performer and recording artist. She received her Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School and her Bachelor’s degree from The Curtis Institute of Music. Jenny has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Library of Congress, and as a guest soloist with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and the Jerusalem, Pittsburgh, Utah, and National Symphonies. Jenny has released nineteen albums, including her latest, The Redeemer, which have sold over a million copies and consistently chart on Billboard. Music from her Grammy nominated album, Wish Upon a Star: A Tribute to Walt Disney is featured at Disney World and Disneyland to introduce the nightly fireworks show. In her efforts to share the light of Christ with more of God’s children, Jenny is now producing and touring Christ-centered shows across the US. Jenny, her husband, Matthew, and their four children (musical group Family Four) are from Salt Lake City, Utah.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Katie earned a BA in Communications & Advertising from Brigham Young University-Provo and has garnered 10+ years of experience managing the operations for multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns for companies like CVS Health, Aetna and Cancer Care Northwest.

Katie enjoyed a career pivot when she accepted the role of JOB Summer Workshop Director, supporting the summer music education program for budding musicians. After three years she progressed into the role of Executive Director for the SoulFill Music Foundation, applying her years of operations expertise.

Katie plays in the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra and Intermountain Choral Artists & Symphony Orchestra, and teaches a small studio of violin students. She relishes the chance to encourage relationships through the arts. In her spare time, she finds a special joy in raising her four young children with her husband in Utah, serving in her church and community, getting lost in historical fiction and sweating out stress in spin class.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

CHOIR PERFORMANCE MANAGER

DANCE PERFORMANCE MANAGERS

John and Alycia (Moore) Virga are retired professional ballet dancers who met through Robert Joffrey during their developmental years.

Professionally, Alycia was a principal dancer with the Sacramento Ballet, who received her first contract at the young age of 16. Alycia was 15 years old when she met John at the Joffrey workshop in San Antonio, TX.

John received a scholarship to study at the Joffrey school of ballet in New York City and performed with The Joffrey Concert Group dancers. Listening to the advice of Margo Fonteyn, John accepted a contract to perform with Tulsa Ballet Theater under the direction of famed Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancers Roman Jasinski and Mocelyne Larkin.

John and Alycia both retired to pursue family life together and have enjoyed raising their five children. Serving their family and their church community has brought them much joy. Their love of dance and moving with music has never changed. Music and dance fills their souls! 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Mia is a full-time student at Brigham Young University pursuing a degree in Marketing, with plans to earn an MBA following graduation. 

She worked as a student intern for Jenny Oaks Baker LLC as Deliverables Manager, which led to her position as Business Development Coordinator for SoulFill Music Foundation. Her love of music runs deep and she is thrilled to be a part of this team as she builds a foundation in brand development, digital marketing, and business outreach.

Always up for an adventure, she is passionate about anything outdoors— from skiing and hiking, to boating, rock climbing, and sports. 

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

TREASURER