The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity is pleased to announce Natalie El-Deiry as the director of immigration and New American integration.
El-Deiry will develop a statewide New Americans initiative and work in public-private partnerships to align relevant programs, emphasizing the integration of New Americans into Utah’s workforce. During the 2021 legislative session, H.B. 404 was passed, which created the Utah Immigration Assistance Center, which El-Deiry will lead.
“We’re excited for Natalie to be Go Utah’s first-ever director of immigration and New American integration,” said Dan Hemmert, the Economic Opportunity office’s executive director. “She’s highly qualified for this position. We look forward to connecting businesses and New Americans with needed resources and welcome Natalie to team Utah.”
As the director of immigration and New American integration, El-Deiry will focus on immigration integration — the process of advancing economic mobility and social inclusion for New Americans. Her work will advance strategies and policies that meaningfully improve the quality of life for immigrants, help energize our economy, and strengthen Utah communities.
Before working at the Economic Opportunity office, El-Deiry was the executive director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where she was responsible for articulating and delivering on the IRC’s vision and mission to serve over 2,000 refugees and New Americans annually while leading a staff of more than 100 Utah workers. Some of her previous working roles include deputy director of development and strategic initiatives at IRC and grants and contracts manager at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
At Colorado State University, El-Deiry completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology with a Spanish and Latin American studies minor. As an active member in her community, El-Deiry volunteers her time and expertise as a board member of the Utah Nonprofit Association and a community council member of the Salt Lake County Council of Diversity Affairs. El-Deiry is a first-generation Latina, the mother to two little boys, and enjoys spending time with her family on adventures around the great state of Utah.
