About the Author

I’m a native Utahn and westerner. I love rugged mountains and expansive red rock. One of the greatest gifts in my life has been the opportunity to grow up skiing and hiking in the Wasatch Mountains, backpacking in the Uinta Mountains, and camping or hiking anywhere on the Colorado Plateau.

I’m a passionate soccer fan — having played for 25 years — and an avid supporter of Real Salt Lake. I also enjoy the Utah Jazz and, of course, the Runnin Utes!

The greatest gift in my life is my dear family — craftsman and husband, Chris Gochnour; professional engineer, Theo Gochnour; graphic designer, Mike Bartle; English literature/religious studies expert and content strategist, Rose Gochnour and the best grandson I could ever hope for, Jethro Serago.

My career working in the Utah governor’s office, with a Cabinet member in Washington, D.C., with the Salt Lake Chamber and at the David Eccles School of Business has exposed me to incredible life lessons about economic leadership, community building, and civil society. I share my views occasionally with local news entities. I also represent the political center — as a constructive conservative — on a weekly radio program featured on Utah Public Radio.

I’m blessed to have come from a large family and a caring community that afforded me opportunities to grow, learn, and give. I love the 23rd Psalm and enjoy being a part of a vibrant LDS faith community. I place a high value on authenticity, kindness, spirituality, human dignity, hope, patience, gratitude, simplicity, and balance. I live in a modest home and yearn for a simpler life for everyone.

The great German writer Goethe said something that captures the way I view daily living. He said: “To live within limits. To want one thing. Or a few things very much and love them dearly. Cling to them, survey them from every angle. Become one with them — this is what makes the poet, the artist, the human being.”