Bio of Mrs. Huntsman

Mary Kaye Huntsman is a passionate advocate for youth. She has created several programs to help kids cope emotionally with various challenges. Her first kid-to-kid, heart-to-heart project, known as the "Bag of Hope," expanded into a nationwide program through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She used this same approach to create programs that provide companionship and hope to children recently diagnosed with cancer and for children who are terminally ill. As First Lady of Utah, Mrs. Huntsman expanded the concept into a statewide program known as "Power in You." The initiative focuses on the emotional side of "at risk" behaviors, as well as "life challenges" that teenagers face. The issues covered are substance abuse, eating disorders, harassment, mood disorders, disabilities, cancer, diabetes, ethnic diversity, poverty, teen pregnancy, teen suicide, dating dangers, gang awareness, healthy weight, and Internet bullying.

In addition, Mrs. Huntsman served as Honorary Chair of the Literacy Commission and the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

She and her husband, former governor and current US Ambassador to China, have been married for 24 years and they have seven children.