EXCOM Member
Christena Huntsman Durham
Christena Huntsman Durham is the Director, Executive Vice President, and Vice Chair of the Huntsman Family Foundation. The Huntsman family carries forward their
parents’ legacy, continuing to support the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. In 2019, Christena and her
siblings made a historic $150 million gift to establish the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah.
Christena serves as CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, which supports the Institute. She is deeply committed to advancing mental health and substance use disorder research. Having experienced the personal loss of her sister to a drug overdose, Christena is a dedicated advocate for substance use disorder awareness, recovery, and expanding access to care. She is a strong proponent of public and private partnerships to drive policy and healthcare reform, as well as innovative, community-based solutions to mental health challenges. In addition to her leadership in mental health philanthropy, Christena works tirelessly to support
individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and families affected by domestic violence. She serves as a Trustee of the University of Utah and is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. She is also an active board member of several organizations, including the National Ability Center, Catholic Community Services, The Road Home, the Jon M. Huntsman Community Shelter Trust, the Moran Eye Center, and the 2034 Utah Olympic and Paralympic Games Impact and Legacy Steering Committee.
A lifelong athlete, Christena never misses a morning workout and is always up for a good competition. She is also known for her expert baking, as well as her love of reading and travel. Christena and her husband, Rick Durham, her first childhood sweetheart at age 10, share seven children and sixteen beloved grandchildren