Leadership Journeys

Discover the stories of WLI graduates who are creating positive change, strengthening communities, and leading with purpose across Utah and beyond.

Portrait of a man with short hair and a beard, wearing a black jacket over a blue and white checkered shirt, against a red background.

Abdirizak Ibrahim

Portrait of a smiling woman with long black hair, wearing a teal blazer and a statement necklace, against a red background.

Jessica Garay

A woman with long, dark brown hair and light brown highlights, wearing glasses, hoop earrings, a white blouse, and a light-colored blazer, smiling against a red background.

Mafer Londoño

Smiling woman with long curly black hair, a white flower in her hair, wearing a white top, against a red background.

Nancy Drozdek

A woman with short black hair, wearing a black blazer and white shirt, smiling at the camera against a red background.

Marcela Fioramonti

A woman with dark skin wearing glasses, a blue headwrap styled in a knot on top, a white collared shirt, gold earrings, and a nose ring, posing against a red background.

Amira Koumato

A woman with long hair wearing a black blazer over a pink blouse, standing against a red background.

Sandra Uribe de la Fuente

Portrait of a smiling woman with black hair, wearing a black blazer and a white top with colorful embroidered patterns, against a red background.

Norma Carver

Tek Neopany

Rosie & Halle Peralta

Melanie Call

Cencira Te’o

“Before WLI, I saw challenges in my community. After WLI, I saw opportunities and learned how to bring people together to create solutions.”

— WLI Alumni

alumni & events photos

Group of diverse people gathered at an event with a large decorative balloon backdrop, featuring a mix of colors and big illuminated 'W' letters in front.
A group of people standing on a staircase in an indoor setting, posing for a photo. The staircase has a wooden handrail and walls with vertical wood paneling.
Group of people, some in academic gowns, standing and sitting in a room, celebrating a graduation.
Group of people standing together inside a building, with a large mural and ornate architecture in the background.
Group of people in graduation gowns holding diplomas, posing indoors for graduation photo.
Four people in graduation gowns holding certificates pose for a photo inside a room with artwork on the wall and a large window showing a dark outdoor scene.
Six women in black graduation robes holding certificates, standing indoors near a whiteboard with writing, in front of a glass window showing an outdoor scene.
Group of graduates holding diplomas in a room, celebrating their achievement, with a portrait of a woman on the wall and a large window showing a darkening sky outside.
Group of four smiling people at an indoor event, with one holding a certificate of completion.
Group of four smiling people at an awards ceremony, holding a certificate of completion.
Five women in black graduation gowns holding certificates, standing in front of portrait paintings on a concrete wall.
Group of people posing for a photo inside a grand, ornate building with arches, columns, and frescoed ceilings.
Group of people seated around a large rectangular table in a meeting room, engaging in discussion.
A teacher speaking to a classroom full of adult students in a university or training room, with a whiteboard and a projection screen.
A diverse group of people standing together indoors, smiling for the camera, in front of a large wooden doorway with the words "Office of the Mayor" above it, and various signs on the walls including "No Hate No Fear" and "Families Belong Together."
Group of six diverse women and one man posing in front of a wall with portraits, wearing academic regalia with teal sashes, signing a banner for the Westside Leadership Institute.
A large group of people pose for a photo on a staircase indoors, holding diplomas and wearing colorful academic regalia, celebrating an achievement.
A group of people standing on a stage celebrating, holding certificates, with colorful balloons and decorations behind them.
Three people sitting at a table, smiling, with a bouquet of flowers in front. One person standing behind them. The two seated individuals wear name tags that say 'Carlos Rosales' and 'Myriam', and the standing person has a name tag reading 'Ángeles'.
Three people standing close together, smiling at the camera, in an indoor setting. The woman on the left has red curly hair, glasses, and a floral dress. The man in the middle is wearing glasses, a grey shirt with a name tag that reads 'Jesús'. The w
Group of five diverse individuals standing indoors, smiling, with colorful balloon art in the background.
Two women smiling and hugging in an indoor setting, one wearing a patterned blouse with glasses and a cross necklace, the other in a blue jacket and white shirt, with wooden paneling in the background.
A smiling young man with braces and a woman wearing glasses and a hat, both sitting at a table with drinks, in an indoor setting.
Group of six women standing in front of a colorful balloon display with illuminated letters spelling 'W'. The women are smiling and dressed in business casual attire, with a large screen and wooden walls in the background.
Group of six women standing in front of colorful balloon backdrop at celebration or event.
Two people, a man and a woman, standing on either side of a large decorative letter W made of illuminated panels, in front of a colorful balloon wall with balloons in shades of purple, blue, red, and white arranged in clusters and star-shaped balloon
Two women stand on either side of a large decorative balloon display with the letters W and E lit up in front, suggesting the word 'WE'. The balloon arrangement includes balloons in shades of purple, blue, white, red, and teal, with some white star-s
Five women standing in front of a decorative balloon display with the word W on lights. The women are smiling, dressed in various colorful outfits, and are standing indoors on a patterned carpet.
A man and woman sitting at a table with drinks, smiling at the camera, at a social event. The man has short hair and is wearing a patterned shirt. The woman has long hair, wearing hoop earrings, a pearl necklace, and a pink and purple scarf. Both are
Three people standing together, smiling, indoors with wooden wall panels. The woman on the left wears glasses, a hat, a light blue jacket, and has a Utah Utes lanyard. The man in the middle wears glasses, a dark suit with an open-collared shirt, hold
Two women standing close together and smiling at the camera, one in a bright pink blazer and the other in a light green blazer, at a professional or social event.
A group of six diverse people sitting around a round black table at a formal event, with a bouquet of pink and green flowers in the center, and brochures and pens on the table. The background shows empty chairs, tables, and a buffet area.
Two women sitting at a table, smiling and looking at the camera. The woman on the left is wearing glasses, a yellow cardigan, and has curly hair tied up. The woman on the right has long brown hair, sunglasses on her head, and is wearing a red outfit.
A woman in a red shirt and glasses holding up a book titled 'The Serviceberry' at a podium with a microphone, in a room with large window and yellow lighting.
Three people sitting at a round table in a brightly lit room with large windows and green plants in the background, engaged in conversation.
A group of people gathered indoors at a celebration, with two women hugging, one holding a bouquet of flowers. Others are observing, some with expressions of happiness and surprise.
Group of people standing together at a social gathering, smiling, with a woman wearing glasses at the center, and a man in a suit and red tie on her left.
Four people dressed formally at a cultural event, standing in front of informational posters, wearing medals and leis.
A woman with glasses, wearing a red shawl and black dress, standing next to a poster about a mental health foundation for immigrant youth, with a mural background and a mountain scene.
Three people standing together at an event, holding a certificate of completion. They are smiling and wearing leis. The background features large illuminated letters.
Group of diverse people at a graduation ceremony holding diplomas, some with leis, smiling and celebrating indoors.
An man dressed in a white blazer with a purple sash and a floral necklace standing next to an informational poster about emotional balance. The poster features a logo with a brain, and headings in Spanish and English, with images of groups of people
A group of six people standing together indoors in front of informational posters. They are dressed in semi-formal attire with some wearing leis and scarves, and appear to be at a community or cultural event. Most are smiling and looking at the camer
A woman dressed in a black dress with an academic gown, wearing a bright pink necklace, smiling, standing next to an informational display board about the Salvadorian and Latino community in Utah. The display includes text in English and Spanish, wit
Five women standing in front of display boards at an event, all wearing red sashes with white ribbons, smiling, in a professional or community event setting.