Connie Mendez, LCSW, MBA

Connie Mendez is the Deputy Director for Optum Salt Lake County and has more than 30 years of experience in direct clinical services, quality, compliance, and health care leadership positions in Utah and California. As Deputy Director, she plays a key role in Optum’s ongoing partnership with the Salt Lake County Division of Behavioral Health Services to deliver high-quality mental health and substance use services and programs that focus on wellness, recovery and resilience. She works closely with County leaders, providers, consumers and other community stakeholders to continue supporting a strong behavioral health system that helps people get the care they need, when and where they need it.  Connie has also supported Optum teams in Wyoming and Arkansas. Prior to joining Optum, Connie served as the Quality Assurance Director for Seneca Family of Agencies in California with responsibility over ensuring Medi-Cal and Joint Commission compliance for multiple levels of care across several counties within the Bay Area. Connie is a graduate of the University of Utah with both her MSW and MBA and lives in Salt Lake City with her partner, two dogs and a rather needy cat.