KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Heather Gale
Heather Gale is a public finance leader, author, and rare disease advocate. She currently serves as President of the Association of Public Treasurers, United States and Canada, and is a past President of the Utah Association of Public Treasurers (UAPT). Heather is a two-time recipient of the UAPT President’s Award and holds certifications including Advanced Certified Public Finance Administrator (ACPFA) and Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (ACPFIM).
Heather is the author of Cadence of Courage: A Rare Ballad of Unconditional Love, which appeared on the Amazon bestseller page during its new release. She collaborates with medical experts including the Chief of Pediatric Neurology at Primary Children’s Hospital and speaks nationally on lessons learned from her family’s rare disease journey. At the 2026 UAPT Spring Conference, she will deliver her keynote “Change: Nemesis or Chrysalis?”, exploring how challenges, both professional and personal, can become catalysts for growth.
SPEAKER INTRODUCTIONS
Jared Tingey
Jared Tingey is the Legal Director for the League of Cities and Towns. He has advocated for cities and towns during the legislative session on very diverse legislation. He regularly trains elected officials and is a resource for all 257 cities and towns in Utah. Before joining ULCT, Jared worked at the city and county level in both urban and rural environments – first as a Deputy County Attorney for Duchesne County and then as a Senior Assistant City Attorney for West Jordan City. Jared received his B.A. degree in political science from Brigham Young University and J.D. degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He enjoys hunting elk and playing sports. He and his wife are parents to three children and have a dog named Buddy.
Colette Brown
Colette Brown is a Purchasing Manager at the University of Utah with over fifteen years of experience in public procurement and supply chain management. She develops and delivers training on competitive solicitations, RFP processes, and procurement best practices. Colette served as President of the Utah Chapter of NIGP in 2019 and remains actively involved, supporting public procurement professionals through education and leadership.
David Sanderson
David Sanderson brings a rare depth of expertise to the world of public finance. A graduate of Southern Utah State and BYU, David has spent his career ensuring the financial health of cities and districts across the region. After high-level roles in West Jordan and Lehi, David transitioned into "semi-retirement" by focusing on his own firm, DS Accounting Services.
Today, David manages finances of over 30 clients. His work has even taken him across the Pacific; for three years, he served as the Controller for the State of American Samoa, enduring 16-hour commutes to provide expert financial guidance. Whether he is working with local towns like Bluff or larger cities like Bluffdale City, David’s decades of hands-on experience make him a trusted fixture
in Utah’s financial landscape.
Scott Burnett
With more than 40 years in the financial services industry, Scott brings a depth of experience that only time and perspective can offer. Having navigated countless market and economic cycles, he considers himself a "battle-tested veteran·--a title earned through decades of helping clients weather uncertainty and pursue long-term success.
Scott has built his career around a deep commitment to fixed income investing. He takes pride in helping clients understand the nuances of the bond market, guiding them through economic data and identifying strategies designed to support their financial goals. His approach is grounded in education, clarity, and a steady hand-especially in times of volatility.
Clients value Scott not only for his expertise, but for his thoughtful, measured guidance. He stays current with the ever-evolving economic landscape, ensuring that the advice he offers is both informed and relevant.
In addition to his professional work, Scott serves on the State of Utah Money Management Council, contributing his insight to public financial stewardship. Outside the office he enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking. and spending time with his grandchildren and family.
Nora Kurzova
Nora Kurzova served as the first State Privacy Auditor (SPA) for the State of Utah. As the SPA, Nora identified high-risk data processing activities and was tasked with measuring risk and overseeing more than 1,500 entities, including auditing state agencies and local governmental entities, in their processing of personal data. During her work for the State of Utah, Nora reviewed over 500 bills and significantly contributed to shaping the Government Data Privacy Act.
Nora’s professional experience includes serving as Chief Privacy Officer and holding other senior positions at globally recognized organizations, including Tyco International and MetLife. She holds a doctorate in criminal law and forensic science, a master’s degree in law, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in international law, with a thesis focused specifically on the protection of whistleblowers.
Nora is a certified privacy professional, an information security specialist, and a systems auditor.
Cindy Greenman
Dr. Cindy Greenman is a full-time faculty member at Utah Tech University. She has received numerous awards, including being a finalist for Distinguished Teaching in 2024, 2025 and 2026; Teacher of the Year – Rising Star 2022, Professor of the Semester – Fall 2021, ACFE Educator of the Year 2019, and others. She has over 15 years of experience in the accounting field. Dr. Greenman graduated from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree. She did her doctoral work at Northcentral University in Arizona. Her dissertation was awarded the KPMG Dissertation of the Year for 2012. Dr. Greenman is a graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner, registered with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and a member of the Utah Certified Fraud Examiners. Dr. Greenman has co-authored many journal articles and presented worldwide on various accounting topics, however her research mainly focuses on fraud and ethics in accounting.
She has been married to her husband, Rick for 31 years. They have two grown children who are both married, and they have one granddaughter who is almost 9 years old.
Brandon Waite
Brandon Waite serves as Deputy Administrator for the Utah Unclaimed Property Division, leading holder reporting operations and overseeing the review, processing, and approval of all funds and reports submitted to the state. Since joining the Division in August 2018, he has helped strengthen reporting processes and ensure compliance with state requirements.
Tony Park
Tony Park serves as the Claims Supervisor for the Utah Unclaimed Property Division. He leads the claims operations that review, process, and approve claims. He joined the Division in November 2024.
Dennis Johnston
Dennis Johnston has served as the Utah Unclaimed Property Administrator since September 2011, overseeing the state’s program to safeguard and return unclaimed funds to their rightful owners. Under his leadership, the division has modernized operations and significantly improved claim processing efficiency and customer service. He has also held national leadership roles with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), helping shape industry standards and best practices.