J. Janell Cerva, PhD

As Chief Impact & Strategy Officer for Utah Community Action (UCA), J. Janell Cerva leads strategic partnerships and initiatives for one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the state supporting children and families experiencing poverty. Previously, Janell facilitated community-based early childhood partnerships for United Way of Salt Lake and homeless and housing initiatives for Salt Lake County. She has consulted for Sorenson Impact Center and Cicero Group, and has taken on special projects for public officials and private corporations. Janell received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Brigham Young University, and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Utah. She recently completed her PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Utah, where her research focuses on cross-sector collaboration for social impact.

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Nikki Walker

Nikki Walker boasts over 20 years of experience, from Vice President of PR on the East Coast to Director of Global Brand Awareness for a wellness brand in Utah. She later transitioned to tech as Director of Community Engagement and DEI, focusing on inclusivity. In 2024, she founded NWPR & Consulting, specializing in culturally competent communications, and became a bestselling author with Awareness Put Me On. Nikki actively supports her community through various nonprofit boards and has received accolades such as the Women Tech Council Change Catalyst award and recognition as one of Utah Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch.

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Joel Zarrow, PhD

Joel Zarrow, PhD, joined the Park City Community Foundation as President and CEO having spent his career building, growing, and sustaining nonprofit organizations focused on improving community outcomes and social justice. Most recently, Joel served as the CEO of Children’s Literacy Initiative, a national nonprofit organization providing urban school districts with early literacy coaching and support. Immediately prior, Joel was Senior Advisor to the New Jersey Department of Education, establishing six Regional Achievement Centers to support improvement in 220 of the state’s schools. Joel is a founding board member of Envision Schools, a charter management organization in the San Francisco area, as well as other nonprofit boards. Joel has also worked in philanthropy—first for The New World Foundation in New York, then at the Peninsula Community Foundation in the Bay Area. In the private sector, Joel spent five years as a management consultant in the strategy practice of Gap International, working with global 1000 firms on leadership and performance issues. Joel earned his doctorate at Stanford University and has presented at national and international conferences with multiple publications to his credit. He is an avid skier, biker, hiker, and loves everything and anything outdoors. Joel and his wife Helen are newly empty nested, with Isabel flying the coop to Boston University and Felix off to UC Berkeley.

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Keri Jones-Fonnesbeck

Keri Jones-Fonnesbeck is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has dedicated her career to creating trauma-informed, equitable systems for individuals, families and communities. She serves as the Deputy Director for Trauma Informed Utah, working with organizations across the state of Utah in training and implementation of trauma-
informed principles. Historically, Keri has worked with cancer survivors, youth from war-torn areas around the world, child and adult victims and survivors of domestic violence, and within hospital social work. Keri spent over 20 years with the YWCA, both locally and nationally, in deep focus on the mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. She served as the Chief Program Officer and Chief Operating Officer for YWCA Utah, the largest domestic violence service provider in the state of Utah, and as the Vice President of Member Services for YWCA USA, supporting a team that offered technical assistance to almost 200 organizations across the US. Keri has served on the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission as well as the board of the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. She was honored in 2014 as a “Rising Star: 40 under 40” by Utah Business Magazine, and in 2016, she was given the “ACE: Advocacy, Collaboration and Education” award from the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. She lives, loves, and plays in Utah with her husband, Mitch, and two children, Hollis and Grace.