Irene Fisher (1938- 2023) lived in Salt Lake City since 1971, having moved from the Midwest with her husband, who accepted a faculty position in the Communication Department at the University of Utah. They have lived in Holladay since then and raised three daughters. Irene has developed a deep affection for the mountain west and believes she will never leave the area.

Her career focused on community service, beginning with her involvement in the League of Women Voters. She held several volunteer positions and ultimately served as President. In 1975, Irene accepted a position with the Utah Issues Information Program, a statewide low-income advocacy group. She became its director in 1981 and continued in that role until she became the founding director of the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center at the University of Utah in 1987. In 2001, she transitioned to become the founding director of University Neighborhood Partners, a U of U agency that connects the campus and west Salt Lake City neighborhoods. She retired in 2006.

Accomplishments:

• Full-time wife and mother in early years in Salt Lake City

• Active community service through the League of Women Voters

• Director of Utah Issues Information Program (1981-1987)

• Founding director of the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center at the University of Utah (1987)

• Founding director of University Neighborhood Partners (2001-2006)

• Advocated for improved communication and consensus decision-making in community problem-solving

Irene believes that better communication across different opinions and approaches can help address societal issues and hopes the Citizens’ Counsel can help model this approach to bring communities together.