Utah's 529 Plan Director Answers Our Questions

Lynne Ward is the Executive Director of UESP.  In her eight years at UESP, she has led its growth from 53,500 accounts and $939 million in assets under management to more than 226,000 accounts and $5.9 billion in assets under management.  UESP is consistently ranked as one of the best 529 college savings plans in the country. 

Lynne previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Utah Governor Olene S. Walker and Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget for Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt. She also worked in the state’s central accounting office, the Division of Finance, and the Utah State Auditor’s Office.

Lynne graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and holds a Utah CPA license. She has served in leadership roles in the Utah Association of CPAs, the American Woman’s Society of CPAs, and the National Association of State Budget Officers. She currently serves on the Executive Committee and as the Member Engagement Committee Co-Chair of the College Savings Plan Network and on the Stampin’ Up! board of directors.