President and CEO, Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging
zxiao@belonginutah.org

Ms. Xiao founded the Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging (the Center) and serves as its President and CEO. The Center envisions a Utah in which all residents experience a sense of belonging and equal opportunity so they can contribute their best selves to the growth and enhancement of the economic, social, and political life of the state. The Center achieves this vision by identifying and promoting actionable solutions to disparities through engagement with communities and by catalyzing private, philanthropic, and public partnerships. The Center is rooted in the belief that transformational change requires individuals closest to the problem to become active participants in identifying, implementing, and evaluating effective solutions.

Before founding the Center, Ms. Xiao had a 13-year career with Salt Lake County. As the Director of the Mayor’s Office for New Americans, she guided immigrant and refugee integration strategies on the local, state, and national levels. Under her leadership, Salt Lake County became a national leader in the Welcoming and Belongings movement. It was awarded the distinction as the first county in the nation to achieve Welcoming Certification.

Ms. Xiao is a graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership Fellowship (2022).  She is a member of the 2023 German Marshall Fund Memorial Fellowship.

Ms. Xiao is an avid traveler and an adventurous eater, a combination that has afforded her opportunities to immerse in cultures from around the world.

Master of Arts in Community Leadership, Westminster University

Director of Operations and Programming
rroake@belonginutah.org

Robert brings a broad range of leadership experience in non-profit management, community partnership building, and fundraising, where he served as Chief Operating Officer at NeighborWorks Salt Lake (NWSL). In this role, he contributed to the growth of services and impact of the organization. Most recently, Rob spearheaded both the first merger in NWSL’s 45-year history and the establishment of the NeighborWorks Community Land Trust. He previously worked for the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Jim Matheson. In his spare time, Rob enjoys acting, creating music, and collecting new hobbies. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, their teenager, and their geriatric Jack Russell terrier, Maulie.

Bachelor's in political science, minor in visual art, Weber State University.

Special Project Manager
bwymes@belonginutah.org

Bailey works for the Center of Economic Opportunity & Belonging as the Special Project Manager. She is a graduate of Westminster University where she pursued a degree in History with a dedicated focus on social movements and revolutions. Her unwavering commitment lies in advocating for the visibility and empowerment of LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities. In her spare time, Bailey is out hiking with her dogs (Ziva and Ziggy) or at home reading.

Bachelor of Arts, History, Westminster University