Men & Boys Well-being Symposium

This event has concluded.

Recording of Livestream

This important half-day event will spotlight challenges and solutions related to the well-being of men and boys — focusing on health, vocation, and purpose.

🗓 Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

🕘 Time: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Location: Monson Center – Ivory Ballroom

Agenda

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Aimee Winder Newton
Senior Advisor to Gov. Cox and Director of Utah Office of Families/Co-Chair of the Utah Men and Boys Task Force 

Presentation of “Missing Anchors” survey report

Nic Dunn
Vice President of Strategy and Senior Fellow, Sutherland Institute/Co-Chair of the Utah Men and Boys Task Force 

The civic pillars that anchor men and boys

Ian Rowe
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute/Founder, Vertex Partnership Academies

A Conversation on Health, Vocation, and Purpose for Men in America

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox
Richard Reeves, President, American Institute for Boys and Men

Panel: Addressing Men’s Mental Health Needs

Moderator:
Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to Gov. Cox and Director of Utah Office of Families/Co-Chair of the Utah Men and Boys Task Force 

Panelists:
Joe Tuia‘ana, founder of the “I Love You Bro Project,” Rep. Steve Eliason, Utah House of Representatives, Dr. Eric Monson, U of U Health/Huntsman Mental Health Institute 

Panel: Restoring Vocational Pathways and Economic Mobility

Moderator:
Beth Akers, AEI Senior Fellow 

Panelists:
Mike Kofoed, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Zach Boren, Senior Vice President, Apprenticeships for America; Rich Nye, Senior Adviser for Education to Gov. Spencer Cox  

Panel: Meaning, Responsibility, and Social Connection

Moderator:
Shawn Newell, Utah Men and Boys Wellbeing Task Force Member

Panelists:
Rabbi Avremi Zippel, Patrick Jefferies, Ed.D, Utah Men and Boys Well-being Task Force Member, Ian Rowe, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute/Founder, Vertex Partnership Academies

Remarks from Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson

Closing Remarks: A Framework for Action

Nic Dunn