Erin Mendenhall

Erin Mendenhall (born June 8, 1980) is an American politician and activist who has been serving as the mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah since 2020. Upon taking office as Salt Lake City’s 36th mayor, Mendenhall became the city’s third and youngest woman in the role (after Deedee Corradini and Jackie Biskupski). Prior to assuming office, Mendenhall represented the city’s 5th district on the Salt Lake City Council. Early life and education Mendenhall was born in Arizona and moved to Sandy, Utah, when she was seven. Her father, Don, died from Hodgkin lymphoma when she was 14. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in gender studies and a certificate in Non Profit Leadership and Management. In 2019, she earned a Master of Science degree in science and technology from the University of Utah. Early career After college, Mendenhall conducted air-quality testing and internal auditing at Sterigenics, which sterilizes medical equipment. She first entered politics as an air-quality activist with Utah Moms for Clean Air, but in 2010 moved on to co-found the non-profit Breathe Utah because "she quickly realized she could more effectively fight for changes as someone sitting at the decision-making table rather than protesting outside the door."