U.S. Attorney Announces Women In Leadership Initative, Appoints New First Assistant U.S. Attorney For Utah
SALT LAKE CITY– United States Attorney John W. Huber announced today the creation of Utah Women in Leadership (UWIL), an inter-agency initiative designed to bring together employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other federal agencies and civil practitioners to foster professional development and association.
UWIL will offer quarterly presentations by speakers and panels on a variety of topics, including mentor/mentee relationships, leadership and courage, the art of a balanced life, effective communication, bias/diversity/inclusion, leading out/leaning in, and being the only woman in the room. In addition, UWIL is committed to community service and outreach to younger women who have an interest in federal public service work.
Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Dean of the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, and the first woman and first Native American to hold that title, was the inaugural speaker for UWIL. She spoke on Thursday at the U.S. Attorney’s Office about the experiences that have defined her professionally and personally.
Future speakers for UWIL will include community and business leaders, educators, professional coaches, and athletes, among others.
While the U.S. Attorney’s Office is taking a leadership role in organizing the group, which will be chaired by Jennifer E. Gully, an Assistant U.S. Attorney. A steering committee comprised of representatives from other federal agencies and partners will lead the group.
Steering Committee members for 2020-2021 include Melina Shiraldi, Assistant U.S. Attorney; Daphne Oberg, Assistant Public Defender; Anne Morgan, Chief Deputy Clerk, U.S. District Court; Kathryn Kerkhoff, Special Agent, Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General; Carissa Spencer, Special Agent, Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General; and Elizabeth Schulte, Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor.
Huber used Thursday’s inaugural meeting to announce the appointment of a new First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Utah. Andrea Martinez, currently the Deputy Section Chief of Violent Crimes, will become the second in command in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Her predecessor, Jared Bennett, will begin service as a federal magistrate judge in May.
Ms. Martinez has served in a number of key positions during her 10 years in the office, including Senior Litigation Counsel, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, and the Violence Against Women Act Coordinator. She has also served as the office’s Diversity Chairperson for more than six years. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010, she was a state court prosecutor for more than eight years.
“Andrea’s demeanor is one of calm confidence and professionalism. She is approachable to all, and impeccably trustworthy. Although strong and certainly one who can hold to a worthy position, she is also humble and willing to see another’s perspective. In her supervisory capacity, she has gained experience in fostering success in others. She has numerous skills that will make her an excellent First Assistant U.S. Attorney in our office,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/us-attorney-announces-women-leadership-initative-appoints-new-first-assistant-us-attorney