Laurie Hopkins

Executive Director |

Laurie Hopkins serves as Executive Director of Shelter the Homeless and is the Vice Chair of the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness. She has spent nearly 20 years in the non-profit sector avidly serving communities with a visionary, strategic, and people-oriented approach. Ms. Hopkins is committed to homeless advocacy and in creating systems and structures that supports the trajectory of individuals experiencing homelessness towards equitable, low-income housing.

Prior to joining the homeless services community, Ms. Hopkins served for five years as Executive Director of Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum where she completed a multi-year, multi-million dollar museum revitalization campaign. Ms. Hopkins also served as Managing Director for Sundance Institute, overseeing many critical areas of operations and administration for nine years and built a strong track record of nonprofit strategic and financial planning. Ms. Hopkins holds an M.A. in International Studies with an emphasis on Economics from John Hopkins University, and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Redlands in California. She has served on non-profit boards including the SLCo ZAP Operating Committee Executive Board, Public Arts advisory boards in the Park City area, and volunteers extensively for Swaner Nature Preserve, the Peace House, Lion’s Heart Teen Service, Girls Scouts of Utah, and local schools.

Lindsey Hector

Operations Director | [email protected]

Lindsey Hector, Operations Director, joined the STH team in 2021 with 7 years of nonprofit experience in homeless services. Most recently she worked with Project Reality, where she served in administration, marketing and project management, and prior to that for The Road Home, as a case manager providing direct services to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Lindsey has a M.A. in Public Administration and a B.A. in Sociology and Art History, all from the University of Utah.

Josie White

Philanthropic Officer | [email protected]

Josie White is the philanthropic office at Shelter the Homeless. She is a dedicated leader in the nonprofit sector. With a proven track record in fundraising and grant writing, Josie, a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), has secured grants from government, foundation, and corporate donors, and boosted donor retention. She has Master's in Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy from Bay Path University and aims to leverage her education and experience to positively impact those in need.

Bailey Peterson

Operations Manager |

Bailey Peterson is the Operations Manager for Shelter the Homeless and has 8 years of nonprofit experience. Prior to joining the team, she provided addiction treatment services to the clients of First Step House as Recovery Residence Manager. In her four years at First Step House, she helped to more than double the size of their sober living program allowing for more clients to receive necessary transitional housing services. She also spent time completing new client intakes in Admissions, worked as a housing case manager, and as direct support staff. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Utah.

Lillian Varas-Carter

Operations Coordinator |

Lillian has 23 years of nonprofit experience that supports her role as Operations Coordinator. Most recently working at the Utah Food Bank, Lillian coordinated with agencies across Utah bringing food to those in need. Prior to that, she gained experience at Catholic Community Services serving individuals experiencing homelessness and refugees, and gained extensive knowledge of facility maintenance.

Collin Datwyler

Grounds and Facilities Maintenance Coordinator |

Collin brings experience from both non-profit work in homeless services and an applicable background in landscape and irrigation. He has a wide variety of skills from many sectors, which supports the adaptability needed for this organization.

Dennis Faris

Safety and Community Liaison | [email protected]