Erika Carlsen

Erika Carlsen is a Democrat running for Salt Lake City Council, UT (District 5)

Born and raised in Utah, Erika is the daughter of a small business owner, public servants and the granddaughter of immigrants. Her path to public service began early. As a high school student, she was a teen writer for the Standard Examiner in Ogden, shedding light on important community issues. Erika continued her passion for activism and advocacy at the University of San Francisco, where she was a finalist for valedictorian and actively engaged in student movements for immigrant rights, worker rights, and LGBTQ+ communities. She was selected for prestigious national fellowships, including the Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship and the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs, where she gained invaluable skills in collaboration, communication, and consensus-building across perspectives.

Driven by a deep belief in the connection between spirituality and social change, Erika pursued a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, focusing on meditation, mindfulness, and leadership. Her career has been dedicated to leadership development and civic engagement, with roles at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Rockwood Leadership Institute, where she helped train and support social change leaders across the country.

In Salt Lake City, Erika has continued to make an impact. She serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including Spy Hop and the Ballpark Action Team. As a co-founder of the Ballpark Action Team, Erika has led interactive community meetings with over 100 residents, ensuring that neighborhood voices are heard and valued in local decision-making.

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