Our Team
Staci Ghneim, Director
Staci’s background is a blend of business, social work, and public sector service. As a public servant, she worked for the State of Utah for over 20 years. She served in various capacities in Utah’s Department of Human Services, most recently as the Director of Operational Excellence, where she supported the department’s team in improving performance by 27% in nine months. She also served in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, working across government to address critical challenges, improve services, and support quality outcomes. Staci has also worked for local nonprofits and Dubai-based international marketing firms. She holds Social Service Worker licensure and is a doctoral candidate in Social Work here at the University of Utah. She received her MBA from Western Governors University and bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.
Kristen Cox, Executive Director
Kris is a passionate public servant with an illustrious career spanning multiple decades, governments, and sectors. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Utah’s Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. Under her leadership, the executive branch improved performance by 35%, reflecting significantly better results and value for Utahns. During her tenure, Results for America repeatedly named Utah as one of five leading state governments effectively using data and evidence to improve outcomes for residents.
Prior to that, Kris led Utah’s Department of Workforce Services through the Great Recession. Over four years, they provided 19% more people food and employment assistance, with greater timeliness and accuracy unrivaled historically and nationally at that time, despite 25% fewer staff and funds. She served as a presidential appointee and leader for the National Federation of the Blind in Utah and Washington DC. She was named the first secretary of the country’s first cabinet-level disabilities department.
Kris currently serves as a senior fellow at e.Republic and an advisory board member for the Healthcare Leadership Collaborative at the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business. She has served on numerous boards and commissions covering a variety of economic, healthcare, and social service issues. She is the founder of Epiphany Associates and The Fulcrum. She co-authored Stop Decorating the Fish and The World of Decorating the Fish and donates net proceeds to the National Federation of the Blind. She holds a degree from Brigham Young University in Educational Psychology.
Kris has received several honors over the course of her career. In 2021, Snow College awarded her an honorary doctoral degree. In 2020, the Utah State Legislature issued an official citation acknowledging Kris’ exemplary service to Utah. In 2019, she received the Visionary Leadership Award from the Columbus Community Center, the BYU Alumni Distinguished Service Award from Brigham Young University, and the Bronze Minuteman Award from the Utah National Guard. In 2018, she accepted the Pathfinder Award from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Gold Winner for Lifetime Achievement in Government from The Stevie Awards. In 2016, Kris was named Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year. In 2012, she was listed in Utah Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch and Utah’s Days of ‘47 Pioneer of Progress Award for Business and Enterprise.