Kimberly Schmit 

Director of Community Praxis

Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. | Centering Equity and Engaging Communities in Climate Change Action Planning 

Kimberly considers herself a daughter of the plains of North Dakota, where a Ukrainian, historian grandmother and others helped her learn the value of knowing one’s roots, the power of asking good questions, and the many lessons the land can teach. After years as a dancer, choreographer, and dance company administrator, she moved into the field of alternative education, directing Higher Ground Learning, and starting Spy Hop Productions’ first all youth radio show, Loud and Clear. In 2004, while working on her master’s degree in Education, Culture & Society at the University of Utah, Kimberly joined UNP. Her initial focus was working with resident leaders to start the Hartland Partnership Center. Since then, she has held many UNP positions, helping her to better understand and apply the processes needed to create equitable partnerships that are rooted in authentic relationships and move towards systemic change.

In 2017, asked by local immigrant leaders to help support their families and communities in their home countries, Kimberly worked with partners local and abroad to establish the international collective, Bridging Borders. She occasionally teaches for the U and she runs her own company, Olive Branch Community Partnerships, consulting for the Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, various departments at the U, and community groups living at the margins both locally and abroad. Kimberly lives in Salt Lake City with her daughter and partner, Ron. She loves the work she does with the UNP family and is honored to be on this shared journey.