Description

Join us for an engaging discussion with our women legislators.

Lunch provided!

Learn about our panelists:

Melissa Garff Ballard was born and raised in Davis County. She attended the University of Utah, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Accompanying. She was the Founding Chair of the University of Utah School of Music Advisory Board and Camarata Awards. Melissa managed her professional piano studio for more than 23 years Certified MTNA and recently released an album in 2020 with Centaur Records collaborating with world renown violinist David Park. Their album received the 2020 National Critic’s Choice Award from the American Record Guide. They performed in NYC Carnegie Hall Oct 13, 2023 with an encore performance Oct 11, 2025.

Melissa is the Co-Founder of the Salt Lake CAP Head Start Advisory Board, supporting hundreds of at-risk children whose families live below the poverty level, and Founder of the University of Utah School of Music Advisory Board. She also serves on the Utah Natural History Museum Advisory Board, Envision Utah Board, Atlantis Foundation Board, the Advisory Board of the United States Hydrogen Alliance, and Founding member of LAMP Institute.

Melissa was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2018. Her legislative committees include Chair of the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, Vice Chair of Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee, Public Education Standing Committee, Transportation Standing Committee, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Standing Committee, Business and Labor Standing Committee, Economic and Workforce Development Standing Committee. She served as Chair of the Education and Mental Health Commission, the Behavioral Crisis Response Commission, and continues as Chair of the Corrections and Higher Education Council, and Chair of the Utah Marriage Commission. She also served on the Utah Education Commission, and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

She has worked tirelessly for improving government efficiencies, prison reform, conservative energy policy, and is a champion for education.

She is married to Craig Bowen Ballard. Together they are parents of 6 children and have 5 grandchildren. Together they served as Mission Leaders in the Oregon Portland Mission 2014-2017 for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Representative Ariel Defay was born and raised in Utah and serves in the Utah House of Representatives. She graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and from Ohio University with a Master's in Public Administration.

As a small business owner, she understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. Ariel has extensive experience in politics, having worked as a freelance campaign consultant and as a senior legislative aide for the Ohio House of Representatives Republican leadership. 

Her dedication to public service is reflected in her involvement with several political organizations, including the Davis County Republican Party, the Davis County Republican Women, the Utah Federation of Republican Women, and the National Women’s Legislative Network. She has also contributed to her community through roles in the PTA and Community Council.

She is dedicated to her constituents and works hard to address their needs. Ariel is also a mother of three children and enjoys spending time with her husband and kids cheering on the Utah Jazz, skiing the greatest snow on earth, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Senator F. Ann Millner represents Senate District 5, covering parts of Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties. Elected in 2015, she chairs the Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee, Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, School Security Task Force, and Senate Ethics Committee. She also serves on national legislative bodies including the NCSL Foundation Board and Executive Committee, WICHE Commission, ECS Commission, ExcelinEd Policy Leaders Network, and chairs the NCSL Higher Education Task Force.

Originally from Kentucky and raised in Tennessee, Sen. Millner holds degrees from the University of Tennessee (B.Ed.), Southwest Texas State University (M.Ed.), and Brigham Young University (Ed.D.). She is a regent's professor of health administration and served as president of Weber State University (2002–2012), where she led major growth in enrollment, campus expansion, and community partnerships.

Her legislative work focuses on education, workforce development, aerospace, and defense industries, and expanding access to affordable healthcare.