CEO | Women’s Leadership Institute

At a time in Utah when working mothers were not the norm, Patricia Jones (Horton) blazed her own path. 

A Holladay native, Jones was moving her family back to Salt Lake City in 1980 so her late husband, Dan Jones, could transition from teaching at Utah State University to consulting. Patricia had bigger ideas. 

“I recommended starting our own company. It was something I knew I’d like to do, so starting Dan Jones & Associates was something I had encouraged us to do,” Jones says. 

As co-founder and former president of Dan Jones & Associates, a successful public opinion and market research firm, Jones helped lead and manage the company for 35 years. Balancing company leadership, travel requirements and raising children gave Jones invaluable experience.

“I got to know many CEOs and influential people in and out of the state. I worked with just about every industry,” Jones says. “Qualitative research is awesome. You ask people about everything from ice cream to tires.” 

Building lifelong relationships with other business professionals became Jones’ superpower. “I know people from Logan to St. George,” she says. “That was helpful when I was encouraged to run for political office in 2000.” 

Jones served in the Utah Legislature for 14 years. She was a member of the Utah House of Representatives and the Utah Senate and served as the first female leader in either party and in either house.

“Those were amazing years,” Jones says. “Joining the political world is the best thing I’ve ever done. There are so many benefits for people to run for office, especially women. It is the best leadership development training you can have.”

In 2015, everything lined up, and Jones was excited to retire. She was moving, retiring from the Senate, finishing her employee contract with Cicero Group, and turning 65 all within the same month. 

“I thought I was retiring. I thought I was done,” Jones says. But then she met with Scott Anderson of Zions Bank, who told her that Utah was doing great economically—but was struggling to attract and retain talent because of the state’s perceptions about women. 

“He asked me, ‘Would you consider running a nonprofit that would elevate the stature of women’s leadership in business and politics?’” Jones says. It was a big ask, but Jones agreed and has thrived as CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute due to her background and expertise in business and politics and her ability to engage and collaborate. 

“We are seeing change, and it makes me feel very optimistic about what is going on in Utah,” Jones says. “I think Utah is going to lead.”

Jones endlessly serves to help women become leaders and help executives understand the value of hiring, retaining and promoting women. She is an advocate, ally, trailblazer and example of what is possible.

Connect with Patricia Jones (Horton) on LinkedIn.