Sen. Luz Escamilla

On November 4, 2008, Senator Luz Escamilla was elected to the Utah State Senate, becoming the first Latina to hold this position and the first immigrant elected to serve in the Utah State Legislature. She proudly represents constituents in Senate District 10, which includes the Northwest Quadrant of Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and Magna. In 2022, Senator Escamilla was elected by the Senate Democrats to serve as the Minority Leader, providing vision and extensive experience with the legislative process. She continues to be a trailblazer in Utah politics and in the Utah Legislature.

Senator Escamilla received a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah. Her academic background and extensive experience as a business and political consultant have played pivotal roles in her legislative career. In 2005, she was appointed by Governor Jon Huntsman as the first director of the State Office of Ethnic Affairs. In this position, she oversaw the directors of Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Pacific Islander Affairs. She was the vice president for Zions Bank in the Community Development Group, representing Zions Bank in community and business relationships across the state of Utah and Idaho. At Zions Bank, she worked as director for the Business Resource Center, as well as the Hispanic/Latino market manager.

In 2020, Senator Escamilla took on the role of Chief Operations Officer at MiCARE Network, a healthcare startup based in Utah that focuses on innovative care management solutions. More recently, she co-founded ESCATEC Solutions, which enhances customer experiences (CX) through technology and artificial intelligence.

Senator Escamilla's influence is not confined to the Utah Senate as she serves on numerous boards and commissions, demonstrating her commitment to community development. Her impressive portfolio includes leadership positions in prominent institutions, including Primary Children’s Hospital; the Days of ’47 Rodeo; the Hale Centre Theater; the Huntsman Cancer Institute; and many more. Among her legislative committee responsibilities, she also co-chairs the Utah Women in the Economy Subcommittee and the Utah Local Food Advisory Council.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Senator Escamilla maintains a fulfilling personal life. She resides on the west side of Salt Lake City with her husband, Juan Carlos, and their children. Her journey continues to inspire and uplift others in the community at large.

Senator Escamilla is the recipient of the following awards:

• Salt Lake Community College – 2023 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree
• YWCA – 2023 OAA Winner Community Builder & Champion
• Salt Lake Education Foundation – 2023 Advocacy Award
• YWCA – 2023 Legislator of the Year Award
• Utah Library Association – 2022 Legislative Champion Award
• Utah Infertility Resource Center – 2020 Board Choice Award
• Children’s Service Society of Utah – 2019 Children’s Advocacy Award
• Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce – 2018 New Pioneers – American Dream Award
• Mexican Government SRE – 2017 Ohtli Award
• Harvard Business School – 2017 Member of the Young American Leaders Program
• UCLR – 2017 Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Award
• Utah Business Magazine – 2017 Forty Under 40 Award
• Utah After School Network – 2016 Utah Afterschool Legislative Advocate
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA) – 2016 Legislator of the Year Award
• Boys Scouts of America – Great Salt Lake Council – 2015 Vale la Pena Service Award
• UHA – Utah Health Care Association – 2015 Legislative Champion of the Year
• OCA – Utah Asian American (UOCA) – 2013 Humanitarian Award
• Enlisted Association of the National Guard Utah – 2013 Legislator of the Year Award
• Utah Minority Bar Association – 2012 Pete Suazo Community Award
• The University of Utah Alumni Association and the Young Alumni Board/ Par Excellence Award – April 2011
• Deseret News/ 10 Who Made a Difference in 2010 – January 2011
• Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce/ Pathfinder Award – May 2010
• US Small Business Administration/ Minority Small Business Champion of the Year – March 2010
• Utah Valley University Latino Initiative/ Community Leader Recognition – April 2009
• Latin American Chamber of Commerce/ Latina in Action Recognition – community and business – March 2008
• Hill Air Force Base/ Honorary Commander and member of the LOGSTAR program – November 2006
• National Women Law Center/Awarded a scholarship to participate in ongoing leadership training called the Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Network (selected out of three hundred women applicants from all over the country) – May 2005
• Pete Suazo Memorial Award – May 2004
• National Democratic Institute/ Awarded a scholarship to participate in the Annual Leadership Program for U.S. and Latin America (selected out of hundreds of applicants from the U.S. and other Latin American countries) – February 2004
• Chicano Scholarship Award – May 2003