Our Team
Kaitlyn Pieper is the Executive Director of the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion. Kaitlyn came to UCLI after spending time at the Salt Lake Chamber as the Director of Community Policy, where she led out on housing affordability efforts, supported rural engagement initiatives, and strengthened community partnerships. At the onset of the pandemic, she led Hope Corps’ vanguard program as the liaison for minority and women-owned businesses. She is currently a Research Associate with Utah Women & Leadership Project. In previous positions, Kaitlyn has worked in translation services – both as an interpreter in the local community and as a translation manager, where she traveled globally to deliver training. She has also regularly taught university courses on world literature. Kaitlyn earned her masters degree from SOAS, University of London. She speaks five languages and enjoys people, saunas, and cycling.
Jon Wayas, Associate Director
Jon Wayas is the Associate Director of the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion. Jon came to UCLI after spending the last several years as a stay-at-home dad to his three sons. Jon previously spent time as a legislative fellow in the Salt Lake County Mayor’s office working on municipal code issues and criminal justice reinvestment. Jon earned a BA in English from Brigham Young University. While there, Jon worked as a research assistant on an oral history project gathering interviews from Utah World War II and Korean War veterans. Jon also received a JD from the University of Idaho College of Law. During law school Jon served as the editor-in-chief of the Idaho Critical Legal Studies Journal. Jon also studied abroad in Madrid, Spain learning about international human rights and international environmental law. After law school Jon received an MPA from the University of Utah focusing his major research on increasing volunteerism among men and minority groups. In his free time Jon enjoys coaching his sons’ soccer and little league baseball teams, hiking in Utah’s national parks, and having Lego building contests with his wife and kids.
Emily Zárate, Administrative Coordinator
Emily Zárate is the Administrative Coordinator of the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion. Emily attended Utah State University, where she graduated in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Certificate in Law and Society Studies. While at USU, Emily worked at the Latinx Cultural Center, an organization which focuses on academic, educational, personal, and professional growth within the Latinx community on campus. During her time at the LCC, she worked closely with first-generation Latinx students to ensure their success on campus by helping them navigate through college. Emily intends to pursue a J.D. next year. Her interests include technology law, immigration law, and criminal justice reform. In her free time, Emily enjoys weightlifting, reading, and hanging out with her family.
Fall 2023 Interns
Sunni Begay
Program Development Intern
Brigham Young University Graduate
Sunni Begay is currently a paralegal at a personal injury law firm in Utah. She is passionate about Native American rights and representation and has worked with various Indigenous initiatives to educate the community about Native culture and issues. She is a first generation college graduate with a BA in Political Science and minor in Legal Studies and American Indian Studies at Brigham Young University. Coming from the Navajo reservation, Sunni has learned the importance of advocacy for minorities in communities. She hopes to help her community gain access to legal representation and resources in the future.
Diane Bahati
Program Development Intern
University of Utah
As a student at the University of Utah I have had the great opportunity to work as a legislative intern these past two years. I worked for ULWV, ULCT, and USHE. I was able to do this through the Hinckley Institute of Politics. I have also previously worked for the C.C. Ogbuehi law firm as a marketing intern. Overall I have been involved with activism in the salt lake area through education, justice and more. I plan to go to law school after my Undergrad to become a legislative attorney.
Raissa Rohbock
Program Development Intern
Weber State University
Hi! My name is Raissa Rohbock, and I am a first-generation college student majoring in criminal justice at Weber State University. I was born and raised in the Amazon region of Brazil. I have a strong interest in criminology and am passionate about learning about different cultures, languages, and sustainable development. I have worked in the legal industry as a court clerk, legal assistant, and volunteer with legal aid clinics in Utah. My desire to advance equity and inclusion in Utah’s legal profession, where I want to pursue a JD, is one of the reasons I chose to join UCLI.
