Where Utah's top business achievers share strategies that help fuel the No.1 economy in the nation.

The third-annual Utah Business Forward conference will assemble dozens of the best business minds in Utah who are eager to share their knowledge to keep our economy strong for years to come.

At this one-day conference you’ll have access to leaders in various industries, from product development and manufacturing to finance and entrepreneurship. You’ll learn about the innovation, resilience, strategy, and relationships it takes to propel your business and career to the next level.

View Agenda

November 10, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek

Early Bird Tickets Available June 16

Speakers

Derek Maxfield

CEO | Curated

Derek Maxfield is the Founder and CEO of Curated, a commerce platform that empowers creators to control how their audiences discover, purchase, and engage with brands they build. Before launching Curated, Derek co-founded Younique with his sister, Melanie Huscroft, to support Saprea, an organization dedicated to aiding survivors of childhood sexual abuse. With over 20 years of experience in social commerce and technology, Derek focuses on creating innovative tools that transform influence into sustainable brand ownership. He values his roles as a husband and father of five, with faith and family as his guiding priorities.

Alexandra Pasi, PhD

Co-Founder & CEO | Lucidity Sciences

Lexi Pasi is the co-founder and CEO of Lucidity Sciences, a technology entrepreneur, and a mathematician specializing in advanced artificial intelligence. At Lucidity Sciences, she leads the development of next-generation AI systems using mathematical methods to enhance data reliability and efficiency beyond traditional AI/ML models. Previously, she applied her advanced analytics and machine learning expertise across diverse fields such as laboratory science, corporate finance, and marketing. She holds a PhD in mathematics from Baylor University, where she taught mathematics for business and finance and received the Outstanding STEM Dissertation Award.

Derek Miner

Partner | Build Then Bless

Derek Miner is a partner at Lemonade Stand, a full-service digital marketing agency, and Build Then Bless, a social impact platform focused on enhancing company culture and making a positive impact. Passionate about creating successful businesses, Derek is recognized as one of the top 100 founders and entrepreneurs in Utah and has earned the Inc. 500/5000 award five times. He has helped many companies build strong company cultures from the ground up. A passionate speaker and dedicated business mentor, Derek also enjoys cycling, skiing, playing the drums, and spending time outdoors with his family.

Chrisi & Matt Hammer

Co-Founders | Sunshine Buns

Chrisi Hammer is the co-founder and CEO of Sunshine Buns, a rapidly growing frozen bakery brand that began with a cherished family recipe. Based in Orem, Utah, Sunshine Buns has expanded into a nationally distributed CPG brand, with products sold at Costco and other major retailers such as Target and Kroger. Before founding Sunshine Buns, Chrisi ran a successful interior design business and appeared in the HGTV pilot The Family Hammer. She holds a degree in English from Utah Valley University, is a mother of five, and frequently speaks on entrepreneurship and brand-building.

Ben Ard

Co-Founder & CEO | Masset

Benjamin Ard is the co-founder and CEO of Masset, an AI Marketer, and Go-To-Market Engineer. Masset specializes in streamlining and organizing marketing content, ensuring it is easily accessible, up-to-date, and effectively utilized across teams and AI platforms. Before founding Masset, Ben was Head of Demand Generation and Operations at Weave. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing from BYU. A Utah native, he values the state's dynamic tech community and is an avid book enthusiast dedicated to effective storytelling that enhances brand success. Ben enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife and four sons.

Lucy Andre

CEO | Stadler Signaling North America

Lucy Andre is the CEO of Stadler Signaling North America and the Chief of Staff, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Stadler US Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Since joining Stadler in 2016, she has overseen tremendous growth, expanding the company from 8 to nearly 700 employees, establishing a large manufacturing facility, and launching Stadler's North American Signaling business. Her career spans roles as a professor, prosecutor, law firm partner, and in-house counsel. Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree from Webster University in Vienna and a law degree from the University of Utah.

Samira Harnesh

Founder & CEO | Women of the World

Samira Harnish is the founder and Executive Director of Women of the World, a Salt Lake City nonprofit supporting women refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants since 2010. With a civil engineering degree, she spent 17 years as an R&D engineer before establishing WoW to help women achieve self-sufficiency. Under her leadership, WoW has become Utah’s leading women’s refugee service organization. Samira has received awards such as the Enlightened 50, Salt Lake City Human Rights Award, America's Region Nansen Award, and was named Woman of the Year by Utah Business Magazine.

Dana Ware

Founder & CEO | Hidden Realities

Dana Ware is the founder and CEO of Hidden Realities, an immersive technology studio creating augmented reality experiences. She pioneered large-scale spatial entertainment, developing multiplayer AR platforms for live events. Previously, as Creative Director at The VOID, Dana collaborated with Disney and ILMxLab on location-based VR, merging storytelling with technology. Based in Utah, she supports the state’s creative tech ecosystem and chairs the IGDA Women in Games+ SIG. She also advises the Future Realities Summit at GDC, advocating for innovation, accessibility, and inclusive representation in gaming and immersive tech industries.

Brandi Hammon

CEO | Powder Mountain

Brandi Hammon is the President of Powder Mountain and Powder Haven, overseeing operations in resort, real estate, and community experience. A native Utahn, she brings over two decades of experience in real estate and business development. After earning a Biology degree from the University of Utah and working in biotech sales on the East Coast and in California, she returned to Ogden Valley in 2002. She founded Mountain Luxury Real Estate, achieving over $1 billion in sales. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Hammon serves on multiple boards, advocating for Utah's wild spaces while guiding Powder’s evolution.

Les Rhodes Jr.

Founder | Les BBQ

Les Rhodes, known as "The Oxtail King," founded LES BBQ to bring authentic Southern BBQ from Cuero, Texas, to Utah. His venture expanded from a simple setup at his sons' flag football games to a brand with national reach. A viral video of his smoked oxtails propelled LES BBQ to fame, prompting Les to leave his corporate job at Rio Tinto in 2022. Now, LES BBQ includes a Draper restaurant, a commissary kitchen, nationwide e-commerce, and large event catering. Les, alongside his wife Chanel and their four sons, built the business from the ground up.

Liz Edmunds & Lizi Heaps

Founders | The Food Nanny

Liz Edmunds and Lizi Heaps are the founders of The Food Nanny, a brand built on family values, aiming to help even the most inexperienced cooks prepare family meals with confidence. Their journey began with Liz selling recipe books, featuring meal plans that prioritize easy, nutritious dinners as the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Lizi revitalized the brand through Instagram, attracting a large following with engaging live cooking sessions. Through Liz and Lizi's commitment to authenticity and family connections, The Food Nanny has grown into a thriving enterprise that continues to inspire and connect families.

Josh Jergensen

President & COO | PACS

Josh Jergensen is the President and Chief Operating Officer at PACS, where he is a national leader in post-acute care back-office and consulting resources, allowing professionals to focus on patient care and quality of life. With over 10 years as a licensed nursing home administrator in California, he has operated and supported PACS facilities since 2014. Josh earned a Bachelor’s in Business Management from BYU’s Marriott School of Management and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from USC. In his free time, he enjoys family time and a good round of golf.

Michelle Smith

President | Miller Sports + Entertainment

Michelle Smith is the Executive Vice President at the Larry H. Miller Company and President of Miller Sports + Entertainment. She strategically manages operations for the Salt Lake Bees, Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres, and Big League Utah, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences and fostering business partnerships. With over 20 years of experience, she has previously served as Chief People Officer for the Utah Jazz. Michelle is a founding board member of Women in Sports & Events (WISE) and has been recognized as one of Utah Business Magazine’s 2020 “30 Women to Watch.”

Agenda

7:30 a.m. Early Check-in for Breakfast With an Expert

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast With an Expert (pre-registration required)

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. General Registration & Breakfast

9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Welcome

9:10 - 9:40 a.m. Morning Keynote

9:40 - 10:10 a.m. Morning Keynote II

10:10 - 10:40 a.m. Networking

10:40 - 11:20 a.m. Breakout 1

11:20 - 11:30 a.m. Move to Next Breakout

11:30 - 12:10 p.m. Breakout 2

12:10 - 12:30 p.m. Move to Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch + Panel

1:30 - 1:40 p.m. Move to Next Breakout

1:40 - 2:20 p.m. Breakout 3

2:20 - 2:30 p.m. Move to Next Breakout

2:30 - 3:10 p.m. Breakout 4

3:10 - 3:30 p.m. Move to Final Keynote

3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Final Keynote

4:00 - 5:30 p.m. VIP Afterparty

Tailor Your Experience With Breakout Tracks

Choose from 5 distinct tracks during each Breakout Session designed to enrich your expertise and advance your career.

LEAD

Nominations are scored by a panel of business and industry experts. Scores are averaged and ranked to determine top performers.

GROW

Anyone may nominate a candidate. Great nominations usually come from someone who works closely with the candidate and knows about their best qualities and contributions.

INNOVATE

No!

IMPACT

To submit a nomination, click on the Submit a Nomination button on this page. You’ll fill out a simple form with basic information about the nominee, in addition to details about how they stand out among their peers, how they’ve positioned the company for continued success and how their leadership complements your company’s management team and brings valuable skills to the table.

AI

Great nominations that stand out provide specific details about the contributions and impact of the nominee. Consider including information about your nominee’s expertise, accomplishments, and initiatives, as well as explanations about your nominee’s unique traits and statistics about their professional success and impact. For more details on nomination information, please visit our award Q&A page here.

Event Photos

Breakfast With An Expert

David Doty

Founder & CEO | KAM

David Doty is the founder of KAM, focused on acquiring and growing Utah-founded food concepts into premier ventures. His finance career began as an equity trader at JPMorgan, followed by roles at Goldman Sachs and The Aclaime Group. After earning a JD and MBA at BYU and obtaining a CFA charter, David purchased his first food-related business. He briefly worked as Treasury Manager at HanesBrands before focusing on KAM. David holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Pittsburgh and lives in Lehi, Utah, with his wife, Danielle, and five children.

Rena Doman

Co-Founder & CEO | Perk Energy

Rena Doman is the co-founder and CEO of Perk Energy, a brand built on the belief that mornings should be anticipated and not merely endured. Her journey began in loss after her first husband's passing. Her now-husband, Gary Brown, consistently supported her with a warm drink, which sparked the idea for Perk in 2016. Previously, Rena worked as an escrow officer. Together with Gary, she built Perk into a national brand, offering products available on their website, Amazon, and stores like Costco. Rena leads a movement focused on self-care and turning personal pain into purpose.

Aaron Starks

CEO & President | 47G

Aaron Starks, CEO and President of 47G, is a leading architect in aerospace, defense, and space innovation. He spearheads efforts to build Utah's aerospace ecosystem, uniting industry, government, and academia. Under his leadership, Utah launched its first Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem, focusing on aviation for the 2034 Winter Olympics, and initiated a spaceport project to strengthen Utah’s role in the commercial space economy. Previously, Starks played a key role in FranklinCovey's expansion and worked at World Trade Center Utah. He holds degrees from the University of Utah and Duke University and serves on several boards.

Kristy Muir

Investment Senior Associate | Pelion Venture Partners

Kristy Muir is a seasoned senior executive and investor at Pelion Venture Partners. With a proven track record in customer experience, M&A, strategy and operations, she has successfully overseen multimillion-dollar business acquisitions and cross-functional teams of 70+ across five countries. Kristy is recognized for multiple industry awards in operational excellence, having successfully managed a multimillion-dollar acquisition that resulted in significant cost savings and a reduction of operational expenses. Her prior experience includes strategic roles at Degreed and Instructure, where she focused on growth and operations. She holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University.

David Doty

Founder & CEO | KAM

Rena Doman

Co-Founder & CEO | Perk Energy

Aaron Starks

CEO & President | 47G

Kristy Muir

Investment Senior Associate | Pelion Venture Partners

Venue

Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek

75 S W Temple St

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Explore the Venue

Where Utah's top business achievers share strategies that help fuel the No.1 economy in the nation.

November 10, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek

Early Bird Tickets Available June 16