This story appears in the October 2025 issue of Utah Business. Subscribe.
Julissa Breslin’s community-centric approach has positioned The Gateway as a blueprint for the modern mall. Raised in Lima, Peru, Breslin later graduated from the University of Utah and gained valuable experience through roles at the Miller Motorsports Park and the Utah Jazz. As a marketing and events director at Vestar, Breslin seized the challenge of reviving The Gateway — and she saw an opportunity to redefine what a mall could be. Today, what was once known as a traditional shopping center has transformed into a dynamic entertainment district that hosts over 180 events annually, including the massive “Last Hurrah!” New Year’s Eve celebration (which sees 25,000 attendees) and the popular Sunset Yoga series. Breslin won the “Scene Maker” award at Visit Salt Lake’s Salt Summit earlier this year, and her vision continues to bring Utah’s evolving retail landscape to life.
Apps: Later, Constant Contact, Notes, Canva
Morning coffee walk
“I can’t start my day without walking around the property with my favorite chai latte from Hall Patisserie (located inside Hall Pass) or Counterpart at the new Asher Adams Hotel.”
Placer.ai
“Placer.ai is an online platform that allows us to measure the success of our events. It provides location analytics with incredible insights, like where people are coming from, how long they stay at The Gateway and where they tend to go after they stop here.”
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
“You never know when a press opportunity may come knocking, and this lip balm is camera-ready.”
Mophie Snap+ 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand
“My phone is always charged to capture content for our social media channels and to capture things around the property that need addressing.”
Ring light
“I feel like, especially during COVID-19, everyone got a ring light because all meetings became video calls.”
Business cards
“I bring them everywhere — not just for work-related events, but also when I’m out and about. You never know when you will meet the right contact or partners. I know everything is moving to digital, but I feel like there’s something about a tangible business card that makes it a little more intimate.”
