Meet the 2022 40 Under 40 honorees
Each year, we celebrate 40 professionals—all under 40 years of age—who are working to evolve the state of Utah’s business landscape. Join us in a round of applause for these accomplished individuals and the ways they’re elevating the future of business throughout the state.
Tyler Babb, 36
Founder and CEO | SmartShyp
What is your go-to business strategy?
Keep it simple and own it. SmartShyp is one of the few SAAS companies that has been primarily bootstrapped. That’s not always good or bad. In our case, building slowly and steadily allowed us to hear and build to our customer’s needs and become a leader in e-commerce.
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. I once heard that all businesses suck, when in reality, they just suck differently. I’ve always felt strongly that winning in business is simply due to a leader’s ability to navigate and consistently overcome challenges. Let’s go to lunch—we can exchange battle wounds together.
Linden Baker, 29
Founder and CEO | Fairkind
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I work with master artisans around the world and get to travel to places like Morocco, Uganda, and Peru. Working side-by-side with such talented artisans and seeing their cultures firsthand is by far the most rewarding part of my job.
Who inspires you most? Why?
The artisan partners I work with inspire me on a daily basis. They are true masters of their craft, and I’m blown away by the time and detail they put into every single product. They fuel my creativity and inspire me to be thoughtful and dedicated in my work.
Chris Bernal, 36
Global Head of Total Rewards | Qualtrics
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
While we focus on making data-informed decisions, there’s absolutely a huge human element to this as well. For example, while so many worked feverishly to prepare for our IPO in January, there were moments where I’d pause to think about what an exciting time it was, not only for Qualtrics but also for the professional and personal futures of everyone at the company. I like to joke that I’m an extroverted introvert, so the opportunity to work in the background with an awesome team that drives such a meaningful impact is a perfect mix.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
To plan but always be flexible and open to new challenges and opportunities. At different points in my life, I’d thought I’d be anything from a pilot to an MLB general manager. At a different stage, I thought certain schools or companies were the only surefire ways to success. Now I understand that “success” itself means different things in different seasons—the path is anything but linear.
Mikel Blake, 37
Co-founder and Executive Director | Tech-Moms
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
It’s empowering to see a community of women growing who can help guide each other through things like re-entering the workforce or switching into a field they can love. Easily, the most rewarding part of my job is getting to see these women’s lives before and after. The women show incredible resilience and bravery and are a constant source of inspiration to me.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
You’re allowed to make mistakes—practice bravery, not perfection (thanks, Reshma Saujani).
Get into some good trouble—it gives you stories and makes you more interesting.
Keep reading—I still don’t regret a single minute spent curled up with a book.
Don’t rush into adulting—youth is precious, life is long.
Skills matter—knowledge carries little premium in a Google world.
Find and try boba tea—I wasted many good years without it.
Buy Bitcoin—we’ll explain it later.
Ben Bolte, 38
Founder and Executive Director | GREENbike, Utah’s Non-Profit Bike Share
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I’ve had the luxury of working in an industry and serving on a national board with some of the most creative, intelligent, and genuine people on the planet. Their backgrounds are as varied as their personalities—some of them used to be lawyers, government officials, investment bankers, or non-profit founders. But what they all have in common is they believe in bike share as a service that can make our communities better.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
2022 is going to be one of the most exciting and thrilling years at GREENbike and in my life personally. We’re going to launch an Ogden system that will make us the largest bike share in the country connected by heavy rail. We’re going to continue to expand our SLC system with more stations and more e-bikes. And while all of the for-profit transportation modes keep getting more expensive, GREENbike will be lowering fares, offering more ride time, and adding more products.
Jacob Bowman, 35
Executive VP | American United Credit Union
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
There are myriad financial institutions with various purposes, but credit unions are unique in their ability to serve underbanked and underserved populations. American United’s mission is to “Help When Others Won’t”—I am honored to represent an organization so deeply committed to providing financial services to those with limited resources and/or income, those who are historically excluded from banking and lending, and those who are preyed upon by other lenders with exorbitant interest rates.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
I am a planner and am often guilty of living in the future. I have gotten better over the years at enjoying the present moment, but I would tell my younger self to take just a bit more time to breathe and let life unfold. I believe in the value of self-efficacy and determination, but balance is vital. To borrow a phrase from Allen Saunders,, “Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.”
Brittney Boyle, 39
Director, Marketing | Pentalon Construction
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
The construction industry is a giant think tank! In the short time I’ve been involved with construction, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some brilliant minds. The creativity and problem-solving skills of project managers, superintendents, and executive teams have been so inspiring. I’ve sat in meetings where ideas are tossed around and problems are analyzed. I love working with teams of people from different educational backgrounds and feel like I am constantly learning from my peers. There’s also this great satisfaction in knowing I had a hand in building the community I live in.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
To believe in yourself and recognize that you know what you’re doing. You’re going to suffer from “imposter syndrome,” but you will overcome it. Learning to take care of yourself and choosing to be happy is not a bad thing. You are allowed to put yourself first, and you need to learn to put less value on the opinions of others. The confident woman who walks into every room with her 6-inch heels and head held high needs to be the same person you see in the mirror every day—because she is the real you! Buy the shoes, eat the cake, go on that vacation, and enjoy it!
Brandon Bussey, 38
VP, Revenue Strategy and Operations | Lucid Software
What’s after 40? What do you see in your future?
I’ve been incredibly lucky up to this point in my life to have benefitted from amazing mentors who took the time to help guide me in my career. I look forward to doing the same and helping others, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, break into the Utah tech community.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
I hear the phrase, “Jack of all trades, master of none” used so negatively, but my career has greatly benefited from being exposed to a broad set of disciplines. I would encourage my younger self to really lean into this concept of range and always look for learning opportunities everywhere.
Clark Cahoon, 38
Technology and Innovation Advisor | Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development
What’s after 40? What do you see in your future?
I see myself at a startup or working in a new capacity in the private sector—taking the experiences I’ve learned in state and city government and applying them to solving different sets of problems. I see myself spending more intentional time with my family and starting my own as well. I’d like to perpetually increase the amount of time I’m in nature—whether it’s the desert, mountains, or ocean.
What is your go-to business strategy?
Be curious and involve others to solve big problems. In economic development, it takes collaborating with outside organizations to get big initiatives or projects implemented. I believe in the power of public-private partnerships and tapping the brainpower, wisdom, and resources of outside organizations to accomplish meaningful objectives. We’re truly better together. Curiosity breeds creativity and innovation—something that government needs more of.
Kevin D. Christensen, 39
Orthopedic Surgeon | Revere Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
Both the medical community and orthopedic sports medicine are rapidly changing. I look forward to continuing to improve my expertise in operative and non-operative treatment of sports injuries, including orthobiologics for conservative management of injuries and minimally invasive surgical techniques to help patients return to their desired activities as soon as clinically feasible.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
Work hard. Study diligently. Serve selflessly. Surround yourself with good friends, mentors, or colleagues who inspire you to think big and strive to make a difference in the world. Never forget the ones you love, celebrate their successes, and be mindful of the joyful moments. Make memories at every opportunity. Be present. Time moves fast…you’ll be 40 before you know it!
Chris Crittenden, 38
Managing Director | Brigham Young University and Reef Capital Partners
What is your go-to business strategy?
Pick great co-founders/partners. I attribute nearly all my success in business to the people I’ve done it with. My partners have complimented me where I’m weak and kept me motivated through the hard times.
Who inspires you most? Why?
There are a lot of people who inspire me, but two that come to mind are Bill and Sid Price. They’ve spent decades leading the growth of a program (as volunteers) that has benefited millions of people around the world, and they’ve done it all behind the scenes allowing others the credit. Bill is also a major reason why I’m doing what I am now. The day I sold my first company, he messaged me encouraging me to make my next “career” one of giving back. It took me a few years to get here but without his encouragement, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I am now.
Craig Daly, 39
Chief Revenue Officer | Aktify, Inc.
What is your go-to business strategy?
- Master recruiting and attracting the best of people.
- Have a product that quenches an obvious market thirst.
- Lead by consensus.
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
I’ve unquestionably failed more times than I’ve succeeded but I feel the successes grossly outweigh any speed bump that I’ve hit. I didn’t take school as seriously as I should have. I made poor investments in real estate in 2007. I was awful at summer sales. The list is long. These experiences taught me quickly who I am and definitely who I am not. Once I had that clarity, I was able to sprint upwards.
Chad Dilley, 38
SVP, Director of Retail Branch Banking | Zions Bank
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
There are so many things I love about my job. The industry is evolving quickly, and being a part of that change while defining what the future of banking will look like is incredibly exciting. 2020 and 2021 were challenging for so many, and having the opportunity to work with the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program was extremely rewarding. The program provided loans to small businesses, allowing them to continue paying their employees, and thus keeping our economy going. The money distributed through this program allowed so many neighborhood businesses survive what could have been the end of their life’s work.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
While it is somewhat cliché, I would tell my younger self to always be authentic. Living an authentic life is one of the most powerful things you can do, as it allows you to create genuine connections with those around you. At the end of the day, I believe life is about connections. For me, self-awareness and the ability to be vulnerable have allowed me to focus on my areas of strength, and find opportunities in my career and personal life where I can provide value. I believe that the sooner we can embrace our authentic selves, the more fulfilling our lives will be.
Steven Flygare, 37
VP, Technology and Bioinformatics | IDbyDNA
What does success look like to you?
Success for me, in part, is helping create a fundamental change in how infectious disease is diagnosed and treated. It also looks like joyful and healthy family relationships and strong friendships.
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
We are trailblazers at IDbyDNA, so we consistently face scientific, technological, and business challenges where there is no model or solution to adopt and follow. Bringing a paradigm-shifting technology and perspective to an established industry comes with a whole host of challenges.
Danny Frasure, 39
Co-founder and CEO | Udo
What’s after 40? What do you see in your future?
I want to continue doing what I have been doing on a bigger scale. I am hungrier today than I was 10 years ago, and I want to make a difference. I want to continue to surround myself with great people doing great things of which I can be a part.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
Professionally speaking, we have ambitious goals for Udo in 2022. We believe Udo will become a household name and that we will change the provider/patient relationship forever. The foundational plan has been laid, and now it’s time to execute.
Jon Galbraith, 37
VP, Design + Architecture | CW Urban
What does success look like to you?
Success to me is pretty simple. If you are able to do something you love every day, then you have succeeded. Success is to continue what I love doing, which is to make the built environment better. As long as I can do that and make enough money to support my family, then I can confidently say that I am a successful person.
What’s after 40? What do you see in your future?
What I see in the future is endless possibilities of pushing the envelope of architecture in our state. The environment of Utah has set up a perfect storm to do this. Increased numbers of people moving here, a strong economy, and a deficit in housing options all act as catalysts to raise the bar on various building types such as multifamily, mixed-use, and residential architecture. I hope that I can be one of the integral players that raises the standards of our architecture so our cities around the state maintain their beauty in a new contemporary and modern way.
Jevon Gibb, 39
Director, Regional Economic Development | Salt Lake County
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I get to wake up every day and think, “How do I make people’s lives better?” It’s a big, hairy, audacious goal. I get so excited to figure out how to attract a company whose new building will help support the vibrancy of a neighborhood while creating good jobs and not harming the environment. Or, conversely, how to support people becoming more competitive for good jobs in a way that will positively affect their community and neighborhood, all the while making our region more competitive. It’s hard, cool, and the most rewarding job I could imagine!
What does success look like to you?
Thriving, vibrant communities that elevate people to their potential. I think one of the defining challenges of our generation is figuring out how to revive economic opportunity trends that have become negative over the last few decades. The divisions between haves and have-nots are tearing our country apart. We can do better by figuring out how we work together, avoiding zero-sum solutions, and supporting the vibrancy of communities while supporting the competitiveness of business.
Brady Haider, 38
Director, People Operations | Experlogix
What is your go-to business strategy?
Continuous process improvement—always looking for ways to innovate and improve systems or processes. By continually looking to streamline processes and providing automation, it frees up time to focus on your people. The engagement and wellness of a company’s people is a strategic priority.
What does success look like to you?
Success is when we are all one team—enthusiastically supporting each other to be successful. Success is helping others reach and fulfill their full potential. When others around us are successful, it helps us be more successful. Together, a cohesive team who is supporting each other to be successful will always achieve more than a group of individuals.
Steve Larsen, 34
Senior Director, Enterprise Customer Success | Packsize LLC
What is your go-to business strategy?
Build meaningful partnerships. Successful partnerships with customers and vendors make the difference between a good company and a great one.
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
Sustainable innovation. We are helping transform packaging and processes for some of the largest companies in the world. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how the machines and processes we are partnering with our customers to deliver are reshaping customer experience while helping them become more sustainable.
Becca Levin, 33
Director, Program and Pipeline Strategy | Recursion
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
Working at the intersection of biotech and tech means there is constant learning and growth. Every day there is an opportunity to learn about a new disease, technology, regulatory strategy, or any one of a number of disciplines that intersect in unique ways at Recursion.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
Worry less about the paths of other people. Focus on doing what you enjoy. Spend a bit more time focusing on identifying your personal strengths and interests and build on those. It’s ok to try a few careers in the first few years, nothing is set in stone.
Jeremy Levitt, 38
Managing Director | Royal Park Strategic Advisors
Who inspires you most? Why?
My Bubbe and Papa (grandmother and grandfather). They were Holocaust survivors whose entire families were killed by the Nazis. After bouncing around displaced persons camps after the war, they made their way to America without speaking English with only $20 in their pockets, and made a life for themselves. Their stories of survival have always been an inspiration to me, and I would not be where I am today without the impact they had on my life.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
Your career is like a lily pond. Rarely will you have a direct path to reach the other side (your end goal). At some point, you will likely have to make a lateral move or even take a step back before you can go forward again. Enjoy the journey.
McCall Lyon, 34
Teleconsultation Director | The Children’s Center Utah
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
The most rewarding thing about working in early childhood mental health is building relationships that will outlast my role. In therapy, I help children and caregivers grow stronger bonds and find more joy in their interactions. I like to imagine that closeness continues long after they have graduated from therapy, perhaps even into future generations. I am similarly passionate about supervision and consultation, which both involve helping other professionals develop skills that will have a positive impact far beyond what I could accomplish on my own.
Who inspires you most? Why?
My colleagues at The Children’s Center Utah. Therapists, preschool specialists, support staff, and our leadership team all work together to provide exceptional services for our children and families. I am constantly in awe of their kindness, compassion, knowledge, and strength. There can be an emotional toll when providing therapy for young children, particularly in instances where the child has been exposed to potentially traumatic events, such as child abuse or neglect. Rather than shy away from this intense work, my colleagues seem to thrive in their roles of helping each family heal. I simply can’t imagine being successful in my role without each and every one of them!
Oscar Marquina, 38
Chief of Staff, Strategy and Operations | Discover Financial Services
Who inspires you most? Why?
Currently, I’m most inspired by the next generation that comes behind me. I get a tremendous amount of inspiration and motivation from seeing younger professionals and students embarking on their careers. The new ideas, energy, and tenacity they have is contagious. I can’t help but feel a sense of obligation to pull them up as I climb ahead, ensuring that the actions I take today help to pave a better, easier path for those that come behind me.
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
My path has been non-traditional, to say the least. As a student, my immigration status prevented me from obtaining a job, and financial aid was not available. In order to afford my education and support my family, I started two businesses that I successfully grew and later sold. My first job after graduating from college with an engineering degree and an MBA was washing dishes. It wasn’t until the DACA program was started in 2012 that I was finally able to obtain my work permit and start a career. Unfortunately, even then, my employment gap was so large that most companies wouldn’t even take a look at me. I was extremely fortunate to build a network of supporters and find individuals who helped me launch a career, which is part of why I’m so passionate about paying it forward for those who are just getting started. As I reflect back, I wouldn’t change a thing about this or anything else I experienced. Having to overcome these challenges has truly made me into the person that I am today.
Dan Merrill, 38
VP, Client Success | MX
Are you where you thought you’d be when you were 18?
Not at all—and that’s an absolutely beautiful thing. The moments in life I value most dearly are those which have forged me into the person I am today. Those incredibly challenging times are unscripted and while they have changed the arc of the story I thought I would be living in, I find myself in such a wonderful reality that I cannot help but feel immense gratitude for the change.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
In the words of the great John Wesley, and in honor of my recently departed friend and CTO Brandon DeWitt:
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
Jake Neeley, 38
Executive Director | Malouf Foundation
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I’ve landed in a very fortunate place full of rewarding work and experiences. With a primary focus to confront child sexual exploitation, my work has intrinsic reward built-in. But the most rewarding part is witnessing the power of the human spirit as individuals who have experienced abuse undergo real healing, empowerment, and success.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
I would tell my younger self, and even my older self, that your life has inherent value and purpose that is unaffected by career successes and failures. I’ve had big wins and I’ve also had losses but when a higher purpose has been the companion to these highs and lows, the negative impact is far less. Find your purpose and remind yourself of it every day.
Matt Nelson, 39
VP, Brand | InMoment
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
It’s all about the experience. Eliminating the rough spots that come from something not working the way you expect it to and finding moments where you can surprise and delight.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
Embrace failure as part of the process and trust your gut.
My Nguyen, 31
VP | Goldman Sachs
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
Growing up in a fishing village without running water in the outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam, my family didn’t have a lot. When I was younger, my parents—without much formal education—worked from 5 am to midnight every single day in their little restaurant to make money to send me and my brother to school. My family and my childhood experience have taught me to be humble, independent, hardworking, and resilient at a very young age. Fast forward 17 years later, I was the first in my family to graduate from college and get a formal education in the US.
What does success look like to you?
What excites me most about going to work each day are my aspirations to develop my team and colleagues. I measure my own success as a leader by their success. As an immigrant to the US and also as a woman, helping those that are underrepresented in the industry as much as I can is also something that I strive for.
Nate Obray, 39
Director, Software Services | Malouf Companies
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I love seeing people grow into roles and positions they may not have even thought possible. Likewise, giving people opportunities to do things they only hoped they would be able to do, or maybe didn’t even know they were capable of, is incredibly satisfying. Helping people see themselves and the world around them through a lens of optimism, hope, and possibility is exciting and motivating. It’s rewarding to me because of those who did the same for me growing up. I definitely lacked confidence in myself and my abilities, but with the help of some key mentors, I was able to see more in myself and those around me.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you were 18?
Actually yes, I think I’m pretty close. I always saw myself using technology to enhance the capability of something. It makes a lot of sense that I ended up using it to enhance business and look forward to offering those same capabilities and enhancements to more businesses as we start offering the technology we’ve developed at Malouf as SaaS.
Eric Olsen, 36
VP, Global Revenue Operations | Avetta
What does success look like to you?
Success is a constant pursuit of the best version of yourself. Celebrate your victories, analyze your failures, and strive for excellence. I believe when you do your best today, and aim to be better tomorrow, success will find you.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
Great achievements take time. Have patience, remain disciplined, and believe in yourself and those around you.
Ellen E. Ostrow, 37
Partner | Stoel Rives LLP
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
The clients and the challenge. My clients work in various industries and getting to know the clients and the industries in which they work is exceptionally rewarding. Each client I work with faces a different challenge, whether as a creditor or debtor, and helping each client navigate a specific situation and put together the puzzle pieces under the law to achieve a desired outcome is what I love most about my work.
What does success look like to you?
Success to me is being an integral member of a team and working with that team to provide the best services and outcomes for our clients.
Britnie Powell, 39
Principal | Salt Lake Center for Science Education
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
The people are the most rewarding thing about my job. Students, teachers, families, and community members—they are what makes the work so exciting, heartbreaking, funny, meaningful, and worthwhile. I feel so fortunate to work with such a dedicated, skilled, and passionate faculty. Together we collaborate, innovate, and dismantle problematic systems.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
We have built a successful 7-12 school system. We are currently working on expanding this model at an elementary school level. Studies indicate that students in elementary school spend an average of 19 minutes per week engaged in science, and less than 30 percent of elementary educators feel adequately prepared to teach science effectively. Access to effective, early science education is an equity issue. By the time students reach middle school, significant gaps in science achievement already exist. Studies indicate significant achievement gaps in science for economically disadvantaged students, students of color, females, and students with disabilities are established by third grade. Expanding the SLCSE science model will reduce opportunity gaps for historically marginalized populations. Implementing the de-tracking model at this level is an anti-racist model for education. Through this expansion, students will become informed citizens and decision-makers who build a strong academic identity through equitable access to a rigorous curriculum.
Brian Reeder, 37
Founder and Managing Director | Vessel Kitchen
Who inspires you most? Why?
How much time do you have? My wife, Lizy, inspires me with her humanity, empathy, work ethic, and intelligence (which is FAR greater than mine). My business partner, Nick, inspires me with his humility, determination, humor, and abundant care for those around him. My business partner, Roe’e, is one of the hardest working humans I’ve ever met, and a gifted chef that is never content with “just good enough.” My former boss, Will, taught me that business can balance humanity and profit, and how to teach others. I’m inspired by our leadership team at Vessel Kitchen—their willingness to try new things and their ability to adapt and evolve as the world does. I’m also inspired by my mother, who raised me and guided me to become the man I am today. There are so many more, and I’m very grateful for that.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
Growth! We’re targeting to open a couple of new locations and to start experimenting with some different formats for the restaurants. We’re also looking to refine our operations at the store level and as a company, which I think will be incredibly impactful to our team and allow us to provide a better product and service, as well as take better care of our people.
Katelin Roberts, 33
Executive Director | BioHive
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
The life sciences and healthcare innovation industry seeks to improve human health. Our mission matters. There’s nothing more rewarding than impacting people’s lives, helping patients, and improving human health and wellbeing.
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
I had a health crisis a few years ago—a brain surgery followed by a very difficult recovery. It makes me even more appreciative of the industry I support and of our healthcare system. I am so proud of what we contribute to life-saving devices, drugs, and tests in Utah to help save patient lives, after having been a patient that felt hopeless at one point.
Gary Sabin, 37
VP, Product | Impartner Software
What is your go-to business strategy?
Focus is the most important thing to business success. In the product world, it is so easy to get pulled into trying to be too many things for too many people. It’s hard to build a cohesive, unifying strategy around that. I like the lean startup mentality where everything is evaluated around efficient, scrappy, scalable growth, and where you establish utter excellence in solving a specific acute customer problem in an overwhelmingly elegant way—then do that for wider swaths of customers to scale up. Deep wells bring water. Wide ones become ditches.
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I like product management as a discipline in that I get to blend strategy, engineering, and creativity to solve problems for real people who are enthusiastic about the work you do to help them. And SaaS as an industry is very “lightweight” in that it is relatively easy to pivot and evolve without being burdened by heavy capital investments or geographical limitations, so the feedback and results are more instantaneous.
Erik Stromness, 38
Director, Revenue Operations | Canopy
What is your go-to business strategy?
Automation and a revenue mindset. MRPL (Marketing Revenue Per Lead) is the foundation that GTM teams need to build a revenue-driving marketing program focused on activities that grow the business, not a meaningless stack of leads that will never convert. Not all leads are created equal.
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
I believe in creating automated businesses solutions that help small businesses succeed. Every day I know that I’m making a difference in allowing the small businesses we work with to be successful which helps their families. Helping those businesses and working with the team I have at Canopy is what brings me joy.
Natasha Thomas, 34
Founder | Ivy City Co.
What challenges have you overcome to get here today?
As a wife and mother of four, I’ve had to learn to balance and prioritize my time and energy. There have been many occasions when I had to choose between my work or my family. Although it’s celebrated to publicly claim that you always put your family first, as a business owner, that’s just not always possible. I’ve had to find creative ways to be excellent at everything I do.
What is your go-to business strategy? Why?
We aren’t selling dresses. We are selling an experience—a world-class experience! To give our customers the best experience possible, we chose to focus first on creating raving fans of our employees through culture and appreciation. If our employees love the company, that love and passion will translate to our customers.
Christina Trocco, 35
Head of API Commercialization | Zonos
What does success look like to you?
Success is maximizing the strengths of others and feeling like an impactful contributor in what you do. I used to believe that success meant achieving certain milestones, but I realized that this isn’t the case. Success is a team sport where your best strategy is to maximize the strengths of those around you. It’s also about being an impactful contributor in whatever you do.
What sets you apart from your fellow under-40 peers?
My professional career has not followed a linear path to success. I have traveled off the beaten path multiple times to become the multifaceted generalist I am today. I thrive in situations where I get to try something different and challenging, as I love opportunities to learn something totally new while gaining new skills. I’ve had my fair share of failures but that’s a part of the process—experimentation and learning from failure. For me, making an impact is much more meaningful than just checking boxes.
Matt R. Vance, 32
Director, Consumer & Employee Feedback | iFIT
Are you where you thought you’d be when you were 18?
No. I thought I’d be an architect, working with tools and designing bridges. After switching from an engineering degree to business, it turns out I still build things. Instead of bridges, I build frameworks and processes used to engineer more positive experiences for employees and consumers. I love what I do.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
My first business book launches later this year. I am four years and 1,500 hours into the project. The book will teach you how to increase sales and improve experiences with my own review management methodology. You may even find a pun or two along the way. Follow me on LinkedIn for release details.
Hayden Wadsworth, 29
CEO | HydroJug, Inc.
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
Being able to help others live healthier lifestyles.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you were 18?
No. I couldn’t have dreamt this.
Chris Wharton, 38
City Council Member | Salt Lake City Council
Attorney | Wharton Law, PLLC
What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2022?
I’m thrilled to be a part of the first majority LGBTQ+ and majority POC (people of color) city council in Utah. Representation is so important. We are one the most diverse cities in the state, and one of the “gayest cities in America.” As a gay man, I couldn’t be prouder of my hometown and I know that having more diversity on the council will help us build a more equitable, inclusive, vibrant, and just capital city.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
The ads are true—it gets better! But don’t spend your time waiting for the “right moment” for everything. Every year of adulthood seems to go by exponentially faster than every year of youth. Your queerness is your superpower. Use it!
Emma Wimberley, 38
VP, Brand | Vivint
What advice do you have for your younger self?
I have so much advice for my younger self but to pick one piece—enjoy the ride, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get where you are going! I have always been ambitious and sometimes, early in my career, that meant I was very eager to get to the next level or move on to the next challenge. I can see something similar in the next generation coming into business, where they are sometimes almost solely motivated by leveling up. Career progression doesn’t always take the form of a promotion. Tenure and time in the role is valuable—with time comes experience, wisdom, and the evolution of your personal brand. I have also found that career progress often comes faster when you find the right fit for your skills and interests versus aiming for the highest-paying job. Plus, the work is more fun!
What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?
Watching my team succeed and thrive this year! I am very proud of my predominantly female and LGBTQ+ team and the results we’ve driven together. We come from incredibly diverse backgrounds, which has led to some truly creative thinking and has proven to be a huge benefit to our team’s overall success. We have also intentionally created a culture of high performance, fun, and kindness, which has fostered a team that supports and recognizes both individual and group accomplishments. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my team shine and make a big impact on the company.
To learn more about our 2022 honorees, watch the videos below. For additional event photos, please click here.
