Hometown
I grew up all over Utah, but most of my childhood was spent in the Brigham City/Willard areas and Sandy.
What was your favorite thing about being a child, and do you try to hold onto that spirit as an adult?
Growing up, my mother worked for Delta Airlines to keep us connected with our family in Hawai'i. I developed a love for the "standby" life, which luckily continues still to this day.
What was your favorite hobby or extracurricular activity as a child, and did you pursue it further later in life?
As a child, my dad would create his own art pieces to decorate our home. I was really inspired by his artwork and enjoyed the process of crafting my own drawings and experimenting with vibrant colors. Now as an adult I do a lot of visual design and graphic work.
What was your favorite meal or dish that your family would make, and do you still enjoy it today?
My mother was raised in a restaurant. I spent my summers at that restaurant where I also waitressed as a teen, so I ate really well! My grandfather would make me my favorite dish all the time: chow mein with crispy noodles.
What was the most challenging experience you faced as a child, and how did you overcome it?
My parents worked multiple jobs and long hours to stay afloat. I remember being home alone with my siblings a lot while my mom and later step dad were working. My siblings and I ended up fighting with each other frequently, we also did not get along with our stepfather very well. Eventually, my sister and I moved in with our dad during my high school years. It was a significant adjustment for me because my parents had very different parenting styles and beliefs. I stayed very focused on my school work and having a part time job helped. My sister and I found ourselves fighting less and supporting each other more.
What advice would you give to your younger self, based on what you've learned throughout your life so far?
People don't have as much power over you as you think they do.
Also...save that money, don't waste it on stuff you didn't really need, invest it in something that would help you out more later.
Biography
Laneta has been at Voices since 2020. Prior to coming to Voices, she spent several years working in higher education in financial aid, academic advising, and program coordination. She also served as the Racial Ethic Disparities Coordinator with the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice and program manager for the University of Utah Internal Medicine-Pediatrics rural residency program.
Laneta’s love for her community is at the forefront of her work. She is an active board member with the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition (UPIHC) and a member of the Community Research Collaborative with University Neighborhood Partners where she currently chairs the West Side Community Review Board. Laneta has master’s degrees in both Public Administration from the University of Utah and Strategic Communication from Westminster College. Her favorite activity is spending the whole day at a beach. She loves shoes and has a bag for everything.
