Most children think their parents are nothing short of superheroes. Darin Christensen's four children probably have a few more bragging rights since their dad was named one of the 2006 Oregon Super Lawyers.

Christensen's work in tax law earned him this recognition—a distinction only 5 percent of all lawyers receive. Each recipient is nominated by his or her peers. Then each nominee is reviewed and evaluated by the publishers of Law & Politics magazine, which is followed by a practice-specific peer evaluation.

Of the Oregon tax lawyers who were selected as Super Lawyers, Christensen was the youngest. However, making a successful career for himself in tax law was never Christensen's original plan. "When I went to law school, I had no real intention of being a lawyer," he says. "I was going for the training that law school gives on analyzing issues. But I took all the tax law courses and really enjoyed them. Now I'm working on tax law instead of a more traditional business role."

The opportunity to give legal counsel is what Christensen most enjoys. "I help people solve their problems and create a structure that allows them to do what they need," he says. "I assist people in coming up with a plan that protects their family and gives them some peace of mind."

His work in tax law has opened doors and proffered several volunteer opportunities. Christensen serves on the board of directors and as corporate secretary for the Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program, which educates youth on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, Christensen serves as a member of the advisory board for Shared Hope International, an organization working to prevent sex trafficking and rescue women or children who have been affected by it. "They asked me to participate because of my experience with nonprofit work and representation of a couple dozen charities," he says. "But it is so impressive to see the number of people involved and the scope of what they're doing."

Christensen praises his experience at BYU and the Marriott School. He earned a BS in finance in 1991. "I enjoyed my business school experience, and I had excellent professors," he says.




The steps that took Juan Pablo Villar from Santiago, Chile, to the Tanner Building happened because of a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with the Chilean president.

"During the meeting I had the impression that the church needed more influential leaders in areas like business, politics, and government," says Villar, who at the time served as a stake president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "I knew that the only way to rise to more influential circles was to have a better education."

That impression weighed heavily on Villar's mind, and he resolved to do his part by getting an education in the United States.

Such aspirations might have seemed impractical to some, coming from a working-class man nearing forty with rudimentary English skills, a wife, three children, and a degree from what amounted to a community college. But to Juan Pablo, it was his duty.

"If I can get a better education to help out the church and my country, then it's a goal for me," he says simply.

After discussing his dilemma at length with family, friends, and ecclesiastical leaders, Villar enlisted in the ranks of the 2,300 international students at BYU.

Villar's decision to pursue an MBA degree was just the beginning. Apart from the jungle of red tape, forms, and applications to study in the United States, he had to learn English and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before he could even consider taking the GMAT, the MBA admissions exam.

"The GMAT is made for English speakers, so for a foreign student the difficulty is multiplied," Villar says. "I would go to class around 7 a.m. to study for the TOEFL. I had English classes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and I would also stick around for another five hours to study for the GMAT. This went on five or six days a week for seven months."

The demoralizing schedule took its toll on more than just Villar.

"It was hard not to see him all the time," says his wife, Carolla. "All we could do was support him and not complain about his not being home, even though the kids wanted dad home." Villar readily recognizes the struggle he and his family went through. But ultimately, both Villar and his wife say the transition went well.

"I don't know if I'll be the change for the church or Chile," Villar says. "I'm starting something different for my family though. We have to get the best education possible in order to do everything within our reach in this life."




Education is a family affair for Sarah Westerberg.

"My family enjoys learning," says the 2001 Marriott School Executive MPA graduate. "We're one of those ever-so-slightly geeky families that would have quizzes for fun and make up intellectual challenges at home. It has always been a part of my life."

Now as BYU's newly appointed associate dean of students, Westerberg is looking forward to putting her pursuit of education to good use.

"I love my window," Westerberg says as she discusses the perks of her new position. "But even more, I love being involved in both big-picture and small-picture parts of education and campus life."

Westerberg has seen firsthand the life-changing potential of learning. Both her parents and several of her siblings have also chosen to pursue careers in education. "It can lift people up," she says. "It can provide opportunities and options in a way that not much else can."

Before accepting her position as associate dean, Westerberg directed BYU's Center for Service and Learning. "It was an opportunity to be an ambassador for BYU," she recalls. "But the focus was always on the students and providing meaningful service for them."

One of the greatest lessons Westerberg has learned is that service is not a one-size-fits-all commodity. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, she watched as friends and neighbors reached out and found unique ways to show their support and concern. "After all the struggles, we're very blessed," she says. "And I feel blessed to be here. I feel like I'm in the right place. BYU is a superb place to work."

Being in the right place is what has opened so many doors for Westerberg. In England, she attended Oxford University and is now wrapping up her PhD in educational leadership and foundations at BYU.

With so much on her plate, Westerberg enjoys nothing better than spending time with her husband and two-year-old son. She also can't wait to finish her PhD so she can spend a little more time pursuing her penchant for novel reading.

"I am like any good English woman," she says with a smile. "I am obsessed with Jane Austen and read Pride and Prejudice at least once a year."




Marriott School graduate Dale Holdaway earned the distinguished William S. Smith Certificate of Excellence Award for his performance on the May 2006 administration of the Certified Internal Auditor exam.

The award, given by the Institute of Internal Auditors, is granted to nonstudents who perform exceptionally well on their first attempt at the CIA exam. The exam is known for its difficulty, with a first-time pass rate of under 50 percent. Holdaway was one of five people to earn the award.

"I believe that I was able to score so highly on the CIA exam through simple, old-fashioned preparation and by learning to read both questions and potential answers very carefully while taking tests," Holdaway says. "Given that the pass rate is extremely low, I wanted to ensure that I passed the first time."

CIA certification is not a requirement for internal auditors, but accreditation from the IIA is considered a valuable accomplishment that requires hard work and dedication. In recent years, many companies have begun looking exclusively at CIA-certified auditors for upper-management positions.

"I anticipate that passing the CIA exam and becoming a certified internal auditor will provide additional career opportunities that I would not have otherwise," Holdaway says. "Professional certifications such as the CPA and the CIA have become more valuable to many employers in corporate finance."

Holdaway graduated from the Marrriott School with a bachelor's degree in business management in 1991 and earned an MBA in 1993. He currently works as manager of global finance training for Ford Motor Co. He and his wife, Kimberly, have four children.




Two statewide awards were given to Tamara Lewis, new chair of the Romney Institute Advisory Board, in recognition of her efforts to improve Utahns' health. Lewis was named a 2006 Health Care Hero by Utah Business magazine and also received a 2006 Public Health Hero Award from the Utah Public Health Association.

As advisory board chair, Lewis provides direction to the department and is available to mentor students. "Once I got out into the community managing nonprofit programs, I discovered the great preparation the MPA program provided," she says. "At the same time, I found that you never stop learning on the job. I enjoy working with the Romney Institute because I can share the new things I am learning."

After earning her undergraduate degree from BYU and a medical degree from the University of Utah, Lewis pursued her MPA at the Marriott School. Upon completion, she earned a master's degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. The combination of her degrees uniquely qualifies her for wide-reaching health projects.

"These days, my work is to create large-scale changes in the community, rather than one-on-one interactions with patients," Lewis says.

Lewis became a well-known face in Utah when she spent eighteen months as the spokesperson for Intermountain Health Highlights' media campaign. "When people would stop me on the street and ask me if I was a real doctor, I would tell them I was actually a doctor playing an actress on TV," she jokes.

As medical director for Intermountain Healthcare's community health and prevention, "she diagnoses and challenges the cultural messages, such as those which encourage overeating or glorify cigarette smoking, that lead to poor health," reports Utah Business magazine.

Her assignments have allowed her to work with national groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to participate in a fellowship with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In her current position, Lewis is responsible for developing policies, guidelines, tools, and programs in the areas of immunizations, tobacco cessation, weight management and obesity therapy, heart health, and cancer prevention services.

Published by the Marriott School at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Copyright 2012 by Brigham Young University. All rights reserved. All communications should be sent to Marriott Alumni Magazine, 490 Tanner Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602. Email: marriottmag@byu.edu. Telephone: (801) 422-5083. Fax: (801) 422-0501. The views expressed are those of the various authors and not necessarily the Marriott School. Change your mailing address here.