UPHE Staff
Jonny Vasic – Executive Director
Jonny Vasic has over ten years of experience working with non-profit organizations in various roles including International Director and Director of Media. He has lobbied in Sacramento and Washington D.C. with the Humane Society of the United States and was the International Director at Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, where he was part of the team that created the critically acclaimed hit show Whale Wars for Animal Planet. He is on the Board of Directors for Surfers for Cetaceans and he is the producer of the award-winning documentary film Minds in the Water. Before Jonny’s non-profit work, he was an Executive in Charge of Production at a Los Angeles based TV production company. He was founder and president of Evergreen Oasis Entertainment, which specialized in communication with a conscience. Jonny grew up in Salt Lake City and has a keen interest living in an environment with clean air, water, and soil. His life long passion for the outdoors, a healthy environment and his love of animals combined with his experience in multi-media, has led him to work with groups that are making a real difference in people’s lives.
Brandi O’Brien – Manager of Programs and Development
Brandi first became interested in Utah environmental issues during a year-long internship in the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance’s Washington D.C. office. Here, she lobbied for the protection of Utah’s wild places and engaged with passionate activists from across the country. During this time, Brandi was also enrolled in George Mason University, where she went on to obtain a degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Being particularly interested in the environment and its effect on people, she focused this major to revolve around environmental justice issues. With this focus she was able to research topics such as: water rights, air quality, and the success of various pieces of environmental protection legislation. Still passionate about Utah public lands, Brandi moved to Cedar City in 2019 to do field work for the Utah Conservation Corps. She was ecstatic at the opportunity to conduct this field work in one of her favorite parts of Utah- Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. She has since worked on other public lands improvement projects throughout the West- partnering with both nonprofits, and land management agencies. Brandi is thrilled at the opportunity to continue her work for the health of the environment and people of Utah through her role with UPHE.
Born and raised in Upstate NY, Brandi spends much of her free time exploring the breathtaking camping and hiking that Utah has to offer.
Sydney Rogers – Social Media & Outreach Intern
Sydney’s interest in environmental and public health grew through her studies in Biology and Nutrition at the University of Utah, where she developed a passion for functional medicine and its focus on the connection between environmental factors and human well-being. This interest led her to Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, where she contributes to raising awareness about the impacts of pollution and environmental policy on public health.
As a social media intern, Sydney helps communicate UPHE’s mission by creating content that educates and engages the community on issues like air quality, the Great Salt Lake, and sustainable public health solutions. With experience in research and digital media, she enjoys making complex topics more accessible and highlighting the role of environmental health in overall well-being.
Originally from Reno, Nevada, Sydney spends her free time running, playing tennis, and exploring Utah’s outdoors.
Eron Powell – Outreach Intern
Eron grew up in rural Idaho and spent much of his youth exploring the most scenic areas of the Rocky Mountains. Here, he learned to value the outdoors not just for the recreational activities provided, but as a place for personal renewal and spiritual growth. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in biology, Eron developed a love for human health and recognized the intricate ties between public health and an unspoiled environment. Previous to his involvement with Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, he co-founded a non-profit focused on rewilding Utah’s built environment and worked as an outdoor instructor teaching environmental conservation to elementary students in the Wasatch Front. He believes strongly that the rapid rise in chronic illness is tied directly to the degradation of the environment, notably air pollution and water mismanagement.
For Eron, healthily interacting with nature is more than simply going outdoors and recreating. It requires a pro-active, community, and ecologically centered relationship with the outdoors. For too long humans have seen ourselves as opposed to nature, seeking to tame it. Eron believes it is time for a different approach: seeing ourselves as a part of nature. We are ecological engineers with the tools and opportunities to shape our environment, not only to benefit our health but all the creatures with which we share this world.
