Our Team

Rachel Tucker is a HomeFront Developer and Intern Supervisor with United Families International. She first joined UFI as an intern, working on the HomeFront team, and continued with the organization following the completion of her internship due to her strong commitment to its mission and programs.

Rachel graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies. She plans to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy.

Rachel is particularly passionate about the HomeFront and HomeFront Kids projects and enjoys contributing to the development of resources that strengthen and support families. She lives in Spokane Valley, Washington, and in her free time enjoys being outdoors, caring for plants, reading, and spending time with family. With a desire to serve and protect families, Rachel is grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing to UFI’s work.

Yalaina Griffin graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in marriage and Family Studies.  She is passionate about strengthening and defending families, and began volunteering for United Families shortly after graduating.  She was raised in Utah and now lives in Missouri with her husband and two children.  Her hobbies include reading, learning the fine arts, and spending time outdoors.

Sandy Howard's involvement with United Families International (UFI) has grown from her initial role as the Facebook Coordinator to her current volunteer roles as the HomeFront Director and a member of the UN Missions Team.  She is dedicated to the promotion and defense of traditional family values and constitutional freedoms. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in History from Brigham Young University, Sandy's academic pursuits mirror her love for the lessons of history and learning about other cultures. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, playing the piano, and cherishes time spent with family.  Alongside her husband, Quinn, she is a proud parent to six children and a doting grandparent to three grandchildren.

Sarah Sabin graduated from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Marriage and Family Studies,  She is married to her best friend and is a homeschooling mom of seven beautiful children.  She spends her time wrangling kids and animals at their family's hobby farm.

Because I have spent the last 25 years raising a family with my husband, I have been quick to find interest in the defense of the family.  Promoting and assisting this defense has become a new passion.  I also enjoy reading, working as a family, hiking, long walks, and learning to cook healthy meals.

Emily Judkins graduated from Brigham Young University of Idaho with a bachelors degree in Marriage and Family Studies. She is passionate about finding ways to build a strong family and with helping others do the same. Emily lives in Southern California with her husband. She works full time and likes to spend her free time reading, embroidering, working out and cooking.

Cristina is a Peruvian lawyer with a master's degree in Human Rights. She combines political experience with her work as a writer and researcher, focusing on bioethics, family, religious freedom, and cultural heritage.

Rebecca is a recent graduate of BYU-Idaho, earning a bachelor's degree in Marriage and Family Studies with an emphasis on family advocacy. Rebecca is passionate about the importance of families within communities and is especially dedicated to reinforcing this within society. She believes it is important to pass this knowledge along to the next generation and has a special interest in family issues regarding children, teens, and young adults. Rebecca and her husband Ryan have been married 25 years. They are the parents of 3 beautiful daughters, and recently gained an amazing son-in-law. Aside from working, writing for UFI, and overseeing the blog intern, she also works and likes to spend time with her family. They love musical theatre and enjoy seeing shows together (although her husband is now happy to have a son-in-law to watch football with as well). She also enjoys crafting, music, and anything creative.

Lauren Bone started volunteering for United Families International in 2018. She graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a Bachelor's degree in Marriage and Family Studies. She resides in Utah with her husband and their four children. Her hobbies include traveling, trying new things, learning, and spending time with her family. She believes that strong families are essential to strong societies; and UFI's mission supports those important family values and religious freedoms.

Alexis Goodman Tarkalson is a senior at Brigham Young University-Idaho studying Political Science with an emphasis in American Government and a cluster in Spanish Fluent Speakers. She became interested in the field of government and allocation of power within the structure as a teenager in high school. In 2022, she did her internship with United Families International and wrote for the blog. Currently, Alexis still works with United Families as a writer and oversees interns writing blogs and their Universal Periodic Reviews. Alexis hopes to attend law school where she can either become a family lawyer and help families stay together, or a constitutional lawyer and fight for religious liberties. When she is not writing or doing research, Alexis loves to spend time with her husband and little boy outside hiking or inside cooking in the kitchen!

“Sydnee graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family studies at Brigham Young University Idaho. She enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys. Some of her favorite hobbies include, chess, going on walks, and thrifting. She is excited to be involved advocating for families, and creating content for UFI!”

Olivia is a BYU-Idaho graduate with a degree in Marriage and Family Studies. After eighteen years of avoiding political and controversial discussions, and upon arriving at BYUI, she came to realize that avoidance was not the answer to her problems. Olivia has since then become a passionate and vocal family advocate, with hopes of making the world a little better. In her free time, Olivia enjoys spending time in the sun, reading a good book, and spending time with her family.

Elise Haglund is a senior at Brigham Young University-Idaho, graduating in April 2026 with a degree in Humanities and a minor in Marriage and Family Studies. She lives in Rexburg, Idaho with her husband of almost two years. She loves spending time with family, going on walks, and playing board games. She is passionate about advocating for the family and is excited to do that at United Families International.

Logan Morrison is a senior at Brigham Young University-Idaho, graduating in April 2026 with a degree in Marriage and Family Studies. He lives in Rexburg, Idaho with his wife and 1 year old son, with another baby on the way! He loves running, cycling, being outdoors, and spending all of his time possible with his family. He is passionate about families, children, and programs that support those two things. Working with United Families International will strengthen his social communicative skills and abilities.

Janina is an artist, writer, and the proud mother of five children through birth and adoption. She and her husband of 26 years live in Iowa, where family life and creative work go hand in hand. Through blogging, coaching, parenting, and painting, Janina is passionate about fostering empathy and hope - believing these qualities have the power to bring healing and understanding to families and communities.

Originally from Chile and now a longtime U.S. citizen, I am a Senior at Brigham Young University-Idaho, majoring in Marriage and Family Studies with an emphasis in Child and Family Advocacy. I am passionate about teaching the importance of family as a pillar of a healthy society. I am a mother of four, lover of summer, music, yummy food, and a good crochet or drawing project. My goal is to advocate for stronger family units and provide them with the tools to thrive.

Phil Marriott has served on United Families International’s Board of Directors since 2007. Phil has been involved in many entrepreneurial activities, including real estate development in Texas and Utah. He has worked primarily as a securities financial advisor and has provided insurance solutions as well. Mr. Marriott has served on numerous boards and commissions and been involved with various non-profits, including the CAMIE Awards – an organization that rewards Character and Morality In Entertainment. Mr. Marriott and his wife Cheryl have been married 37 years, and they have five children and seven grandchildren.

Carol Soelberg, UFI Board Member and Vice President of Organization Development, oversees UFI’s volunteers, internship program, and development of chapters. She has been with United Families International for over ten years lobbying at the UN, attending and speaking at World Congress of Families, organizing chapters, serving as state chapter leader, and as past President of UFI (2006-2008; 2010-Sept, 2013). Carol is the wife of J. Glade Soelberg, mother of 13 married children and grandmother to a growing number of grandchildren. She has a B.A. in Education and Home, Family, and Child Development.

Brad Wixom holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. Brad has worked in the computer industry, and as CEO/President of a start-up company with sales worldwide. Brad moved into the Energy Industry to work more closely with his family serving as a Director and co-owner of two different organizations. Brad has spoken internationally at United Nations meetings and the World Congress of Families. Brad coauthored a chapter for publication in the book Family Capital and the SDGs: Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Above all this, Brad views his biggest accomplishments as his marriage of over 30 years to his best friend, Wendy, and the close relationship with their five children, spouses, and grandchildren.

Camille Stilson Williams (J.D., M.A., Brigham Young University) worked as part of the Family Law Research Project at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, and has taught family law for undergraduates. Her research interests are related to women’s and family issues. Her publications have supported the sanctity of human life and the necessity of the natural family for the flourishing of individuals and societies. After a career as an assistant city attorney, she retired in Provo, Utah, where she continues to practice law. She and her husband, Richard, are the parents of five, and the grandparents of twenty-four.

Greg's professional career has focused on institutional and private real estate investing, development and management.  He has been an active supporter of United Families International for 25 years.  An eternal optimist, Greg believes that society and culture will ultimately return to a traditional view of family and life.

Bob Spiel, UFI Chairman of the Board, acts as a catalyst for the organization to help facilitate the energy and creativity of the UFI leadership team, as well as help guide its strategic direction. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University where he specialized in finance and operations management. Bob is a consultant, author and nationally sought after speaker on leadership and customer service. Throughout his career he has worked as a hospital CEO, surgical center CEO, as well as an operations director and COO for two mid-cap companies and a venture capital firm. Bob is the founder and CEO of Spiel & Associates, Inc., a healthcare management consulting firm. He and his wife Judene are the parents of 6 children and the grandparents of 13.

Marcia Barlow, Vice President of Policy and Senior Advisor, oversees “all things UN” for United Families International. She directs the development and updating of the UN Negotiating Guide and oversees research and policy analysis on domestic, as well as international issues. Some of Marcia’s favorite UFI projects are the Guide to Family Issues series and UFI’s new “Discussion Group” curriculum. She’s particularly interested in the Religious Freedom issue and you’ll often find her testifying at municipal and legislative hearings around the country. Marcia holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University (Kennedy School of Government) where she specialized in public policy. She and her husband, Greg, have three children and six grandchildren and she’ll tell you that it doesn’t get better than being a grandma.

Kimberly McCloy is a recent graduate from Brigham Young University-Idaho, with a Bachelor's degree in Marriage and Family Studies. Kimberly and her husband, an active duty Air Force pilot, have been married for 19 years and are proud parents to three wonderful children. As a dedicated military spouse for the past 18 years, she has been a steadfast source of support for her family and community. Kimberly and her family have had the opportunity to live in various locations across the United States, as well as in Germany. They currently make their home in Southern California, where they enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. In her free time, Kimberly loves cooking, painting, reading, and organizing gatherings with friends. She is deeply passionate about strengthening and advocating for the rights of the family.

Susan Roylance, Director of International Policy and Social Development, is the author/compiler of several books on international family policy, including the UN Negotiating Guide, The Family and the MDGs – Using Family Capital to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals and Family Capital and the SDGs – Implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Susan participated in many international conferences – and traveled to forty-four countries – visiting orphanages and street children programs, and helping develop family-based care for orphans. Susan is a founder of United Families International (1978), and has been actively involved in many pro-family organizations. She was the CEO/Manager of Roylance Publishing. Susan was a candidate for the U.S. Congress from Washington State, and chaired several initiatives and referendums in Washington and Oregon. She authored a blog for the Deseret News, a Utah daily newspaper, titled: “Families around the World.” Susan and Robert are the parents of seven children, thirty-four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Esme Weathers, Director of Finance, is in charge of UFI’s administration affairs and oversees the organization’s finances. She graduated from Brigham Young University Hawaii with a B.S. in Accounting and minor in Organizational Behavior. Esme has been with UFI ever since she was an accounting intern. She was able to join the team in action for CSW 2012 in United Nations and knows how important UFI’s work is. She is from Malaysia and is fluent in 4 languages. Esme enjoys diversity and loves learning about different cultures and traditions. Her belief and personal background has lead her to have a great passion for protecting and strengthening the family. Esme and Matt, her husband are enjoying and learning the ropes of parenthood with their little ones.

Kristen Hackett serves as the Educational Outreach Director for United Families International. She first became involved with UFI while studying at BYU–Idaho, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marriage and Family. After completing an internship with UFI, Kristen continued her work with the organization, driven by a deep commitment to its mission.

Kristen is passionate about defending and strengthening the core principles of UFI’s six-point mission: family, marriage, life, parents, human sexuality, and religious liberty. In her current role, she oversees education outreach initiatives and works closely with teams and partners to develop and expand family-centered educational resources.

Above all, Kristen values her family. She and her husband, Ryan, are the parents of five children, have a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and are proud grandparents to three grandsons, with a fourth grandson arriving soon. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially traveling together and experiencing new places and cultures. In her quieter moments, Kristen loves reading and can often be found during the summer months relaxing by the pool with a good book while children play nearby.

Jessie Keller, Social Media Coordinator, grew up on Colorado’s Western Slope where she played softball, rode horses, and learned life skills from the strong women in her family. Later she moved to Utah where she started her family, ran her own business, and immersed herself in volunteer and advocacy work for the East Millcreek community and Granite School District. As a transplant to Dallas, Texas in 2012, she quickly found a perfect fit volunteering in the Plano Independent School District. Jessie has over 15 years of experience as a volunteer and advocate for children. Jessie graduated from Brigham Young University, Idaho in the spring of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies. She followed her degree up by earning her certificate in Human Resource Management, also from Brigham Young University, Idaho in 2020. She celebrated her 23rd wedding anniversary in the summer of 2021 and has three children. Jessie now lives in North West Arkansas with her husband and youngest child.

Rachel Cannon graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho in Marriage and Family Studies. She loves to learn new things and spend time in nature. She comes from a family of eight and married her best friend. She says family is her greatest joy in life and is excited about the opportunity to strengthen other families so they can experience that joy too. She has always been passionate about her faith, freedom, and families. She says all of those things come together working with United Families International. Promoting and defending freedom and the family is our most important responsibility.