Essie Gonzsen

Essie earned her master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Utah. She brought her expertise to classrooms in both the Salt Lake City School District and Burbank Unified School District in California during her seven-year teaching career. Though no longer in the classroom, Essie remains deeply passionate about education and advocating for minorities.

As Equality Utah’s Southern Utah Regional Manager, she oversees the organization’s scholarship programs, College Ambassador Program, and mentorship initiatives while working to expand Equality Utah’s presence throughout southern Utah. Essie and her wife make their home in southern Utah, where she continually builds connections and strengthens advocacy efforts across the region.