Home2014-19 Nancy Carlson-Gotts

Nancy Carlson-Gotts

President 2014-2019

NANCY CARLSON-GOTTS

President 2014-2019

By Emily Molnar

Nancy Carlson-Gotts was born in Lewiston, Idaho, and raised in the small towns around Clarkston, Washington (Anatone and Asotin). Her childhood was marked by a close-knit lifestyle—no televisions, a lot of time spent outdoors, and learning self-sufficiency through tending a garden and raising chickens alongside her parents. As a young girl, she didn’t recall early aspirations until high school, when the curriculum began to include classes on “how to live.” Girls took home economics courses like sewing and typing, while boys attended shop class. As a high schooler, Nancy enjoyed sports, especially basketball and tennis.

One early influence was a math teacher who questioned how she could have possibly solved an algebra problem. Rather than feeling encouraged, Nancy developed a self-motivated determination—an “I’ll show you” kind of spirit, she recalled. A tennis coach, however, provided more lasting inspiration. Looking back, she deeply values the respectful and honest upbringing provided by her parents, which she later appreciated even more after observing how attitudes have shifted in younger generations.

She attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, Washington, where she studied to become a legal secretary. Though she had spent summers with her grandmother previously, this was her first extended time away from home. She excelled in shorthand and transcription, earning awards in both. Due to success in this area, Nancy always thought she would become a secretary.

Nancy’s professional journey began as a GS-2 clerk typist for the federal government in Seattle, earning around $3,000 a year. She quickly demonstrated initiative by shaping her own job role and expanding her responsibilities. Working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, she eventually managed spreadsheets for project hours and funding in the IT department. Later, she worked with a program then called the Upward Mobility program, now known as DEI. Nancy served in the Corps of Engineers for roughly 20 years, including an early six-month post in Bitburg, Germany, providing clerical support at the Air Force base. This was a major milestone—her first opportunity outside the U.S.—and she used weekends to travel throughout
Europe. She fondly remembers visiting Rome (the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum), London’s palaces and 10 Downing Street, and Paris (the Eiffel Tower).

Shortly after, Nancy returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She studied programming languages like COBOL and wrote code, eventually creating a help desk and hiring a small team to support the increasingly computerized systems. As one of the few women in the department, she became a valued problem-solver, bridging technical issues between engineers and programmers.

After completing her degree, Nancy transferred with her future husband to Salt Lake City, where she joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in a computer support role in the regional office. She interviewed for both programming and support positions, ultimately starting in support though she continued to perform programming as needed. She eventually became a manager and led a team supporting software systems, including the Laboratory system. Her team would triage and resolve issues before escalating to developers as well as training on the software and beta testing software. She enjoyed the blend of meticulous, right-brain technical work with meaningful patient-facing outcomes. Nancy retired from the VA in 2007 after another 20 years of service.

Nancy’s exposure to political ideals broadened significantly after moving to Seattle. Though she had not been politically active at the time, she resonated with Democratic values. A specific cause first caught her attention and spurred awareness, but her real involvement began in Salt Lake City around 2002, when she attended a House District meeting that included the election of precinct officers. With no other volunteers, Nancy stepped into the role of precinct chair. This initial involvement grew into greater leadership responsibilities. She became House District Chair in 2008 and served for ten years. During this time, she became involved with the Women’s Democratic Club of Utah (WDCUTAH), joining in January 2011 after frequent encounters at party conventions where the club hosted a table.

Nancy served as treasurer under then-president Stephanie Thomas, and later became president herself in 2014. She stepped down in 2019, when Robin Hough took over the role. Nancy then stepped back from club leadership to focus on other commitments, though she remained proud of her time with the club. In her time with the Women’s Democratic Club of Utah, Nancy helped modernize club operations, transitioning from paper mailing lists to electronic communications—an area well suited to her professional background in IT.

As president, she championed increased civic engagement, asking why the club wasn’t regularly writing to legislators about important issues. Key priorities during her term included redistricting, youth substance use, and homelessness. One standout initiative was encouraging members to speak out as a group on pressing political matters. Nancy also worked to reverse a period of declining membership by inviting discussion about the club’s evolving identity and goals. Where should meetings be held? What should the club become? These conversations planted seeds that her successor, Robin, would later expand upon. She was especially proud of increasing the diversity of guest speakers and creating space for issues that mattered to the wider community. “Who are we, and who do we want to be?” was a central question during her tenure.

To Nancy, the Women’s Democratic Club of Utah represents a vital platform to support rising female leaders. She has seen firsthand how the club helped amplify the voices of women who would later serve in the legislature. In addition to political advocacy, the club gave back in other ways—organizing holiday fundraisers for shelters, YWCA programs, and the INN Between, a “hospice for the homeless.” Nancy encourages future leaders to trust in themselves and “go for it.” She believes women often doubt their abilities unnecessarily. “The answer is always no unless you ask,” she says. Though she originally saw herself only as a secretary, others recognized her potential and she rose to high-level roles in her field. She hopes she’ll be remembered for contributing to a community of strong, intelligent women—and for helping
others find the confidence to lead.

Outside of WDC, Nancy has remained active in her community. She served on the Community Council beginning in 2008 during the rise of “monster homes” replacing smaller residences. Her work included maintaining Facebook pages and working with other community councils in the county. Nancy is also a member of the local Lions Club and maintains its Facebook presence. She joined the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in December 2006, eventually becoming its Utah state Vice President and newsletter editor. Though not political in nature, the group advocates for federal employees and retirees benefits—an issue she remains passionate about.

Nancy and her husband raised one son, who now lives in New York. She reports that her family life was supportive and never in conflict with her professional responsibilities. She once earned a black belt in taekwondo and now enjoys pickleball with her regular group. She believes in surrounding oneself with diverse friendships and reminding others, especially in tough times, just how blessed they truly are.