Natalie Gochnour serves as an executive vice president for policy and communications and chief economist at the Salt Lake Chamber. In this role she oversees the public policies and communications of Utah’s largest and longest-serving business association and provides economic counsel to the Chamber’s more than 6,000 member businesses.
In the past four years, Natalie has helped secure increased funding for highway projects, TRAX light rail, and FrontRunner commuter rail, served as the point person for the Chamber on health system reform and bolstered Utah’s economy by advancing policies that strengthen Utah’s business climate. She is also the policy architect of Downtown Rising, a movement to enhance Utah’s capital city.
In previous roles, Natalie has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Salt Lake Chamber, Counselor to Secretary Mike Leavitt at the U.S. Department Health and Human Services and Associate Administrator of Public Affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to working in Washington, D.C., Natalie served as Gov. Mike Leavitt’s Deputy for Policy and Communications (where she served as his spokesperson); Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget; State Planning Coordinator; and the Director of the Demographic and Economic Analysis section for the Governor’s Office.
In 2008 Natalie was honored by Wasatch Women magazine and featured on the cover story as the “Wasatch Women of the Year,” an honor bestowed to women in the community who elevate the stature of women and serve the community good. Natalie has also been honored by Utah Business magazine as one of the “40 Women to Watch” in Utah.
Natalie has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in economics from the University of Utah. When she is not working, you can find her walking her yellow lab along the Jordan River Parkway, on the sidelines of her two children’s soccer games, or up on the slopes skiing with her husband of 25 years.
