Executive Director

Jordan River Commission 

Bio:

Søren Simonsen is an entrepreneur, urban designer and planner, architect, educator, and community-builder. Over the past three decades, including over 20 years of public service as an appointed and elected official, his career has included developing livable cities, designing sustainable and resilient buildings and neighborhoods, curating vibrant public places, addressing root causes of homelessness, and protecting and conserving sensitive lands and natural resources. Søren is the Executive Director of the Jordan River Commission, an interlocal government agency with a mission to revitalize Utah’s Jordan River and implement a broad community vision for the Jordan River Parkway. He helped launch the Commission as an advisor and organizer from 2008 to 2012, and served on its Governing Board from 2014 through 2016, before becoming the chief administrative officer and director in 2017. Additionally, Søren has been a founder and executive officer of numerous businesses, social ventures and nonprofits in the areas of community and economic development, urban and social issues, arts and culture, and environmental stewardship and conservation. 

Title: Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Jordan River Parkway and Jordan River Watershed

Abstract: The Jordan River Commission recently completed an update of the Blueprint Jordan River, concurrent with the recent legislative session that re-centered and re-focused on the environmental and ecological health of Great Salt Lake. As one of its largest tributaries, the Jordan River plays a key role in the health of the Lake. The refreshed Blueprint puts more strategic emphasis on the quantity and quality of water in the Jordan River, and several key projects now underway are already providing a return on investment in water.