SALT LAKE CITY, UT -– December 6, 2019 – Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah (ELI), the state’s only organization dedicated to engaging young people in the political process, is proud to announce that Elizabeth Smart will be a keynote speaker at the Emerging Leaders Summit on January 6, 2020 in Salt Lake City. For registration, agenda and a complete list of sponsors and exhibitors, visit the event website at utahleaderssummit.com.
“We are incredibly excited to have Elizabeth as our keynote speaker for the inaugural Utah Emerging Leaders Summit, ” said ELI Utah Chair Kelsey Price. “We are sure to be inspired not only by her story of overcoming adversity, but also her leadership in advocating for legislative reforms at both the state and national levels to protect children and victims of violence.”
In 2002, Smart was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City when she was 14 years old and rescued by police after nine months of captivity. Since her rescue, Smart has become a leading advocate for victim’s assistance at the state and national levels.
During the 2014 Utah General Session of the Utah Legislature, Smart endorsed H.B. 286 Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, which introduced curriculum to teach schoolchildren what to do if they are kidnapped or abused. Nationally, Smart worked to promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.
Smart is also the author of The New York Times bestseller My Story, and she worked with the U.S. Department of Justice on a survivor's guide called You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment. Smart is also the founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to bring hope to families, peace to victims and empowerment for all.
The Emerging Leaders Summit is the only forum that will discuss policy issues that pertain to Utah's largest demographic and often misunderstood generations. Speakers and panels will engage in discussions around topics, such as affordable housing, air quality and building the talent pipeline, that directly impact Utah's younger generations. The summit will create an invaluable discussion on how young Utahns will shape Utah's political, cultural, and economic future. Additional speakers will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Tickets for the event are now on sale here. Early bird registrants can use the promo code Empower2020 for $10 off ticket price.
Businesses, organizations, and community leaders interested in sponsoring the summit should email info@emergingleadersutah.org.
About Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah
The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) of Utah aims to elevate the voice and impact of young Utahns (ages 18-35) in their local, state and national governments. ELI is built on the principle that effectively mentoring current and future generations of “emerging leaders” can improve Utah's communities and quality of life. By creating a space for collaborative mentorship and communication between current and emerging leaders, ELI seeks to empower the young leaders, shakers and doers across the state to join in policy discussions and help shape Utah's political, cultural, and economic future.
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