As a dual-citizen of Colombia and the United States, Carla Swensen-Haslam has always been passionate in her advocacy of immigration reform and education. In 2021, she received her Juris Doctorate degree from BYU Law, where she was a member of the school’s first majority female graduating class. It was there she began working with asylum seekers on the US/Mexican border and within her home community of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a 2019-2020 Leadership Fellow, Carla spent extensive time analyzing and researching the power of leaders in making meaningful change for vulnerable populations.

Prior to law school, Carla received her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Television Journalism, and went on to work as a TV sports broadcaster in the Utah market. In 2013, Carla became the first woman in Utah to call a men’s professional sport as either the play-by-play or color-commentator. The experience greatly opened her eyes on the importance and value of female representation within the community. It was her advocacy for women in sports that led to her receipt of the 2019 Utah Business Magazine’s 20 in their 20’s Award.

Carla currently works as an attorney for Kirton McConkie and is a board member for several non-profits, including Project Embrace and Refugee Soccer. She currently lives in Lehi with her husband Daniel, rescue-dog Lilly, and is expecting a baby girl in spring 2022.