Cynthia Conner’s roots in philanthropy run deep – she began her first non-profit at 14 and has served in many different community service-related capacities ever since. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Conner was taught by her grandmother that giving back to whatever community she is in is the only way to measure one’s success in life. Her philanthropic efforts continued through high school and college, and upon graduating she decided to move to New York for work. But soon she decided it was time for a change – which lead to her ultimate arrival in Salt Lake to work for Bonneville Pacific.
"May 1, 1992, I arrived in Salt Lake City," said Conner. "There was snow on the mountains and the tulips were blooming and I thought – what an amazing place! I fell in love with Utah right then and there."
It wasn’t long before Conner found the University of Utah, and her first interaction with the campus was through Red Butte Garden. "Coming from New York City I wondered where the culture was here and kept gravitating towards the U – Kingsbury Hall, Pioneer Theatre," said Conner. "Soon after, I started to realize that for people moving in from out of state that the University is a major part of Salt Lake City. It was then that I started to realize how important the University was to my well-being in the community."
Conner quickly became involved with the Utah Museum of Natural History. She was instrumental in creating a Collections Council which was immediately tasked with raising the money needed to save a precious collection of Indian art from the Four Corners area that were found by University Professor Marjorie Chan at a garage sale in Salt Lake. The valuable collection of jewelry, rugs, baskets and dolls was in danger of being sold to a museum in Washington, D.C. "We have all of this here in Utah, why are we letting all of these wonderful treasures of ours leave our state?" said Connor quizzically. "They have to stay."
Conner’s enthusiasm for the University was noticed by Rob Mansfield and Jim Wall, who ultimately recruited her to join the President’s Club Committee. "When I heard that the President’s Club works with scholarships I realized this was really perfect for me," said Conner of the organization. "I am really passionate about the scholarship drive and the whole purpose of the President’s Club. The University has so many opportunities – it just keeps evolving and that for me is my lifeblood."
Cynthia Conner is currently completing her term as Chair of the University of Utah’s President’s Club Committee. She was instrumental in planning the 2009 President’s Dinner which earmarked all sponsorships for scholarships. She attended both the Harvard Business School’s Governing for Nonprofit Excellence and the University of Utah’s Nonprofit Academy for Excellence. She and her husband, Igor Best-Devereux, and their two children currently live in Salt Lake City.
Photograph provided by Josh Wood Photography