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

Senior Project Manager & Director of Marketing
bwymes@belonginutah.org

Bailey joined the Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging in 2022, where she now serves as the Senior Project Manager and Director of Marketing. She authored the “We Are Utah: A Toolkit for Building Belonging in the Workplace,” a resource now implemented by businesses throughout Utah to foster unity and connection. Recognizing the importance of community and skill-building opportunities for her generation, Bailey co-founded the Bonding & Bridging: Young Professionals Network, creating a space for growth and collaboration.

In 2024, Bailey was honored by Utah Business Magazine as one of their "20 in Their 20s," recognizing her impactful contributions and leadership.

As a proud second-generation Mexican American, Bailey is deeply committed to amplifying community voices and honoring collective wisdom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Westminster University, where she focused on social movements and revolutions. When she’s not working, Bailey enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Ziva and Ziggy, or curling up with a good book.

Bachelor of Arts, History, Westminster University

Special Project Manager

cbolanos@belonginutah.org

Cristina works for the Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging as a Special Project Manager. When she was 10 years old, she immigrated to the U.S from Peru, along with her mother and sister to pursue the American Dream. Throughout her professional journey, she has had various opportunities to be a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for minorities. In 2019, her passion for journalism and immigration topics led her to become a journalist in the state of Utah. She has reported for Univision32, Telemundo Utah, KUTV and ABC4. She has also interned for different government entities in Washington D.C. such as the Partnership for Public Service and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. When she’s not working at the Center, she volunteers for different non-profit organizations that advocate for minorities and underserved communities in the U.S. She's passionate about leading projects that will support community building and inclusion. In her spare time, Cristina works towards excelling as a Latin American folk dancer and singer.

Cristina has a Bachelor's Degree in News Media and Master of Public Administration Degree from Brigham Young University.