The 30 Women to Watch awards honor the exceptional women of Utah’s businesses. These recipients empower others and confidently lead their companies while adeptly navigating the challenges that come with womanhood, and their essential work does not go unnoticed. Utah Business is honored to recognize these women’s efforts to start, manage, grow or otherwise further the work of their companies and make Utah’s future brighter one day at a time. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
Alexandra Allen
Assistant Director & Victim Advocate | Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic
Alexandra advocates for equity in the treatment of crime victims in Utah. She helped lead the fight to defeat Senate Bill 87—which aimed to limit victims’ access to representation during the judicial process—by collecting 105 signatures from crucial stakeholders. On her podcast, “Utah Survivors Podcast,” Alexandra interviews abuse survivors and nonprofits that help victims to educate listeners and raise awareness. She participated in a multidisciplinary group to make sure victims’ voices were present during the implementation of domestic violence court docket. She also worked with key stakeholders to make it easier for domestic violence victims to get out of their lease through HB314. Alexandra has helped hundreds of victims have their voices heard and rights upheld in the criminal justice system.
Who inspires you most? Why?
My son. He is the reason I stopped making myself small. I want to change the world to make it a little better for him. I want him to see the world with empathy, respect and kindness and recognize the inequalities and injustices so he can fight for a better tomorrow. I can only do that if I lead by example.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Follow your passion and believe in yourself. When you enter new spaces and break into new areas, create space for other women. Be a voice for those whose voice has been silenced.
Brenda Anderson
Founder & CEO | Jipe
Brenda champions women in tech and provides opportunities for teens and young adults to jumpstart their careers. She empowers young people through Jipe, the first mobile job search app designed specifically for Gen Z. Her work and company bridge the gap between employers and this budding demographic.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
Jipe has the potential to impact people’s lives, our community, businesses and the economy in a real, significant way. I want to build a business that fulfills its mission to create connections that build futures and change lives. If our youth can understand that their first job matters—regardless of what it is—and is the catalyst for their future success, I would consider that an accomplishment worth fighting for.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
I always go back to “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It’s a beautiful story of life and love, and I always feel empowered when I read it. Everything we experience in life helps us live out our personal legends. This book allows me to recognize that all the setbacks, losses, joys, discoveries and victories are essential parts of my journey, and it’s beautiful.
Emily Bell McCormick
President & Founder | The Policy Project (The Period Project)
Through The Policy Project, Emily worked to successfully eliminate the sales tax on menstrual products in the state and helped pass House Bill 162, which requires local school boards and charter school governing boards to provide period products the restrooms of school facilities. By 2065, 1.3 million students will benefit from this policy. Emily is currently working with Kristin Andrus on The Teen Center Project, which will help 15,000 homeless students in Utah.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I wish I would have been better in my younger years at owning that I was both a professional and a parent. There is enough time to be both. When working from home, I’d hide from my kids to take calls and act like my life was always professional. I was not setting a good example for myself or other working parents. Having a profession has helped me broaden my perspective and widen my ability to raise kids, just as having kids has helped broaden my perspective and widen my ability to be effective as a professional.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Our work on The Period Project, an effort to redefine the 21st-century bathroom as a space where toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels and period products are freely provided. This year, more than 337,000 girls and students will have access to free period products because of our work.
Katy Blommer
Founder & CEO | Women’s Best Life University
Through her podcast, “The Working Mom Happiness Method,” Katy helps women by providing empowering education that teaches working moms how to create balance and maintain healthy habits. Together with school counselor Meghan Campbell, Katy created a confidence program for middle school-aged girls called “The Girls Guide to Thriving Through Middle School.” She also leads a market growth strategy for American Express in Salt Lake City with a focus on hiring diverse candidates and increasing representation for minorities along the Wasatch Front.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Your value and worth have nothing to do with how you look, how you serve those around you, your productivity in your business or your success. You are valuable and worthy just because you are you. Put yourself first because you are worth it, and your business will take off! Ready is a decision, not a feeling, so do that scary thing you’ve been putting off. Check out “The Working Mom Happiness Method” podcast anywhere you listen for more details on how to do this.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love empowering women with life-changing information that isn’t taught in school or at work and seeing it result in them living their best lives and changing the world. It’s the best feeling in the world, and it’s so amazing to have found the thing I will continue to do even if I win the lottery!
Rachel Brewer
Executive Director, Research & Development | USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
At USANA, Rachel has led multiple product development teams to successfully launch innovative new projects. She participates in both formal and informal mentoring is part of USANA’s Women in Leadership group, which promotes the professional growth of women in STEM. Rachel is also involved with several charitable organizations, one of which works to provide transitional housing to families experiencing homelessness. She has lobbied about initiatives to reduce poverty in Utah and coordinated the donation of vitamins to an orphanage in Mexico, among other charitable works.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
By the end of my career, I hope to look back and say, “I had a positive impact on as many people as possible.” Career accomplishments are important, but they start and end with us. The impacts we have on others persist long after we’ve left.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My most meaningful accomplishments are when I can support my team in the workplace. I love when there has been a challenging situation and I’ve been able to help them work through it and thrive rather than fail.
Megan Bronson
Advisory Partner | Squire & Company, PC
Megan has been recognized as a Top 100 ProAdvisor by Insightful Accountant for seven years running. She worked with fellow leaders at Squire to create a path for working moms to work part-time at home and eventually return to full-time work when their situations permitted, identifying Squire as one of the 100 Utah Companies Championing Women by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Utah State University. Megan is also the president of the Women’s Business Network of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the Kiwanis Club of Orem.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
I love Rachel Hollis’s book, “Girl, Stop Apologizing.” I’ve always had an extra measure of confidence, so I’ve thrived in the accounting industry—but it’s taken a lot of grit. This book spoke to my soul as I gave myself permission to be me. I now see it as a privilege to be me instead of a fight.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Working with the people I get to work with, especially clients! I love helping others solve problems and seeing their burdens lifted. I love thinking through new ways of doing things and seeing that directly impact someone’s life. You wouldn’t expect accountants to change people’s lives, but I’ve been there and it’s awesome. Small business owners deal with so much turmoil as they navigate the economy, big money decisions and especially people decisions. I love helping relieve their burden and stress; it’s thrilling.
Ginger Chinn
VP, Public Policy & Government Affairs | Salt Lake Chamber
Ginger promotes policies at the local, state and national levels, coordinating with stakeholders on emerging policy issues and working with lawmakers to pass bills through the legislative process. Ginger previously served as the managing director of urban and rural business services for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She oversaw Utah’s business resource and procurement technical assistance centers and was also the VP of external engagement and economic development at the Davis Technical College. Ginger serves on many organizational boards including the Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative, Davis Education Foundation and Utah Tech University Board of Trustees.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
One of my first jobs out of college was working with at-risk youth. I have kept in touch with some of the students I counseled and love to see them succeed. I believe I had a small part in some of their successes, and it makes me proud.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. I try to reread it every year. It is a simple book that profoundly changed how I view everything.
MayKela Breeye Cox
Founder & Co-Director | DISRUPT Utah
MayKela advocates for safe spaces and opportunities for marginalized communities to expand and explore their intersecting identities. DISRUPT Utah was created to reduce recidivism while supporting a new generation of empowered young leaders, engaging youth who are in state custody or are from low-to-moderate income neighborhoods in disrupting generational trauma and exercising emotional resilience. MayKela has eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector and serves on the Utah Sentencing Commission as the governor-appointed representative for formerly incarcerated and incarcerated people.
Who inspires you most? Why?
The type of people that inspire me are actively resilient, living authentically, determined, genuine, honest and open. Most importantly, they are comfortable sitting alone in a world where groupthink influences the norms. We live in a society committed to social conditioning. This groupthink model stifles creativity, independence, sincerity and growth. I want to be known as someone who resisted conformity, encouraged difference, supported those less fortunate and did so while being authentic to myself and my dreams.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
I want to dismantle re-entry barriers for those coming out of incarceration. People who have paid their debt to society deserve to be given another chance. I want to have a lasting impact on disrupting the abuse-to-prison pathways feeding young people to incarceration settings. I want to find meaningful ways to use my influence and privilege to help those most disadvantaged in our communities.
Amanda Covington
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer | The Larry H. Miller Company
Amanda has more than 20 years of experience leading marketing, corporate communications and government relations strategies. Shortly after joining the Larry H. Miller Company, she oversaw communications during the sale of the Utah Jazz and Larry H. Miller Dealerships. Amanda played a major role in organizing Driven to Assist: Utah for Ukraine, which raised over $4 million. She serves as a trustee for Weber State University and Davis Technical College and is a board member for the Utah Women’s Leadership Institute, World Trade Center Utah and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, among others.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Trust yourselves. Believe you have incredible skills and ideas that are needed and valued, and keep going!
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I love that I had the opportunity to raise a family and work during the last two decades. Days were sometimes hard, and I often questioned if I would find a perfect balance. I never did—but I had beautiful experiences balancing demanding projects, hours of travel and moments with my two sons as they worked on homework, played sports and experienced all the milestones of growing up. I love the lives they are leading and hope they will continue to be strong allies in our community.
Samantha Eldridge
Director, American Indian Resource Center | University of Utah
As a member of the Navajo Nation and a first-generation college student, Samantha is passionate about supporting Native student success and affirming Indigenous culture, history, traditions and ways of knowing. She raised the visibility of the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) at the University of Utah by creating the Native U newsletter and amplifying stories through social media. Samantha’s outreach expands outside of the university through her involvement in the Utah Division of Indian Affairs and the Racial Equity in Policing Commission. Samantha also led efforts to launch the university’s Native Student Scholarship.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to travel and see the world. Throughout my career, several amazing opportunities allowed me to travel across the US and out of the country. I’ve learned so much by immersing myself in another country’s language, culture and foods. It has made me a better person, and I lead with the empathy, patience and values of a global citizen.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I attended the University of Utah for my undergrad as a first-generation, low-income college student. My first year at the U was the same year the American Indian Resource Center was established. At that time, I felt like the center was the only place I could connect with other students who looked like me, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged. It’s come full circle now that I am the director leading the center.
Joanna Fankhauser
SVP, Global Business Intelligence & Operations | Instructure
As a newly single mom, Joanna decided to reignite her career by leveling up her tech-based skills. Her determination landed her at Pluralsight, where she was able to excel as a director of revenue operations and analytics. Joanna has since brought that experience and skillset to Instructure, where she has continued to advance her career from director of sales operations to her current executive-level role as SVP of global business intelligence and operations. Joanna developed Instructure’s corporate return-to-work program—which launched in 2020 and was spurred on by the pandemic—to give others the chance to revitalize their careers.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career/life?
I think Maya Angelou said it best: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
I would advise other women in the Utah business landscape to learn how to say “no” to dead-end work. Women in the workplace are often given “housework” instead of relevant, promotable projects. The book “The No Club” explains this concept well. I advise all women to read this book and apply its principles.
Melissa Freigang
Founding Executive Director | Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence
Through the Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence, Melissa works to address Weber County’s most complex social challenges resulting from intergenerational poverty, homelessness, housing affordability and availability, recidivism, workforce shortages and gaps in the social determinants of health. She is the co-chair of the Governor’s Women in the Economy Commission, co-chair of the Utah Alliance for the Determinants of Health, a founding member of the Utah Child Care Cooperative and leads the Weber County Welfare Reform Commission. She also serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Salvation Army, Ogden Civic Action Network and the United Partnership Council.
Who inspires you most? Why?
My parents are my inspiration; both were raised in cycles of intergenerational poverty. My parents worked multiple jobs to ensure each of us had the opportunity to achieve our dreams. They are the reason I am a first-generation college graduate, earned an athletic scholarship and had the privilege of competing on the University of Utah’s gymnastics team. These experiences galvanized my work ethic and taught me you can break barriers through grit, determination and perseverance. I have dedicated my professional life to creating the same opportunities for others.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I love witnessing the human impact of our work as participants improve their lives from the inside out. Since founding the Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence in 2019, my team has helped solve intergenerational poverty for over 285 children. The economic and social impacts of my team’s work have limitless potential.
Tina Hazlett
Founder, CEO & CVO | Spectrum Recruiting Solutions
Tina founded Spectrum Recruiting Solutions in 2018 with the vision of diversifying and amplifying the historically homogenous workforces that dominate engineering and manufacturing in Utah. Her team currently places females in more than one-third of the roles they fill. Spectrum is a certified SBA Woman-Owned Small Business and is recognized as one of the 100 Utah Companies Championing Women by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Utah State University. Tina was recently recognized by the Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative as a woman at the forefront of the state’s advanced manufacturing industry.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
“The Go-Giver” series, written by Bob Burg and John David Mann, opened my eyes to a new way of thinking. You can reach any goal by serving (people or causes), thus bringing more joy and fulfillment to your life along the way.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love so many things! First, we get to elevate the professional landscape and reputation of Utah’s engineering and manufacturing industries by bringing superior, diverse talent to the forefront. Second, our team has a front-row seat to fight (and fix) pay equality at the grassroots level. Third, we get to create recruiting strategies and talent pipelines that don’t currently exist to find the unique skills our clients need to move their projects forward. Last but not least, it is immensely satisfying for our team to witness the positive impact a great job or opportunity can have on a person’s quality of life.
Tara S. Ivie
Associate VP, Inclusive Excellence | Utah Valley University
Tara is committed to developing a culture where all students feel welcome and empowered to succeed. She oversees the Office of Accessibility Services, First-Generation Student Success Center (nearly one-third of UVU students are the first in their families to attend college), International Student Services, Multicultural Students Center and the Veteran Success Center. Since 2015, fundraising for the Women’s Success Center has increased by 2,000 percent, with much of the growth happening under Tara’s leadership. Tara also oversaw the Wee Care Center, an on-campus childcare center that opened in 2013 to care for children while their parents attend class.
Who inspires you most? Why?
The folks who question norms, challenge assumptions and create pathways where none existed. They are brave, risk-taking and incredibly hard-working. They change the world!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Understand your authentic self, motivations, passions, strengths and growth areas. Seek opportunities to pull all those things together, and you will love your paid and unpaid work.
Bailey Jenkins
Director, Operations | iCRYO
Founder & Owner | Sunrise Blanket Co. & Rapid Reboot
With Rapid Reboot, Bailey channeled her athleticism, entrepreneurial spirit and design capabilities into an FDA-regulated sports medical device manufacturer that does millions in yearly revenue and has worked with hundreds of professional and Olympic athletes, teams and organizations. In a sports and sports medicine space dominated by men, Bailey has always been fearless yet diplomatic in voicing recognition and encouragement for the women around her, from female athletic trainers to female employees. Rapid Reboot is also a large partner of the major colleges in the state, including Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, and for several years was a sponsor of Utah-based USA climbing. Currently, Bailey is expanding her ability to elevate people’s health as the Director of Operations for iCRYO, a national health and wellness franchise with numerous medical therapies and dozens of centers, including new and upcoming centers in Utah.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Find that fourth community. Family, business and religion are all great and come with friends who can support you. However, women are more prone to sacrificing their hobbies and other passions, so they miss opportunities to be involved in more communities. For example, I’ve had some incredibly hard times this past year and received so much support and help from my gym friends.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to personify things that cannot reciprocate emotions—like a business, for example. While I have joked that my first business was my first child, and while there is truth to that, my first business was just that: a business. I wanted the business to succeed, but it would not succeed just because I loved it or was passionate about it. Successful people know how to make decisions based on what is objectively best and not emotionally best.
Annie Johnson
Creative Director | Ethik
Annie spent several months living in rural Africa, working to develop products hand-in-hand with female handcrafters. She developed a keen understanding of their pain points in online merchandising and spearheaded Ethik’s initiative to create an online platform that bridges Indigenous handcrafters in communities and villages across the developing world to the global market through the first ever two-sided wholesale marketplace exclusively for handmade items. This platform has provided fair pay employment for over 2,500 global artisans—including women escaping human trafficking, single mothers and refugee communities—enabling them to break generational cycles of poverty, while bringing in revenue of over $4 million.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You belong in any space you want to be in; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Collaborating with thousands of artisans worldwide to design and produce products is truly incredible. Our artisan partners are experts who know how to craft anything with the materials they can access. I feel privileged to learn from these artisans and be a part of a larger community.
Shelly Johnson
EVP; Sr. Director, Operations, Strategy & Risk | Zions Bank
Shelly is the first person of color to serve as an EVP at Zions Bank and played a key role in getting $2.4 billion in federal relief funds to thousands of small businesses impacted by Covid. She managed a group of leaders in overseeing the Paycheck Protection Program, the largest and most impactful lending effort in the bank’s history. She serves on committees like the Utah Bankers Association and is a past Salt Lake Chapter president for the Risk Management Association. Shelly volunteers with the Utah Legal Center for Inclusion and was listed among American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Let me paraphrase a quote by author Ardeth G. Kapp: Today’s women are riding the crest of a wave. This quote holds to what I have experienced in my professional life. There has never been a better time for women to promote themselves, be given an opportunity to lead and demonstrate what their partnership can bring to a company. I have worked with many dedicated employees to enhance Zions Bank’s DEI culture. We are a workplace that values our differences and diversity. Women can be selective in who they work for. Companies with similar guiding principles exist here in Utah.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The accomplishments I am most proud of are often not visible to everyone else. A defining moment for me is whenever anyone asks me to be their mentor or an employee asks how they can shape their career after mine. This is a tremendous compliment to me.
Heather Kahlert
EVP | The Kahlert Foundation
Heather’s foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of healthcare, education, youth programs, veteran organizations and human services. She has made a significant impact on the University of Utah by providing scholarship support, ensuring student housing for 1,400 students annually with the Kahlert Village, supporting the new medical education building and executive producing documentaries that bring awareness to discoveries at University of Utah Health. Heather also helped establish the Kahlert School of Computing, ensuring an innovative workforce that will continue to drive tech globally. She regularly mentors young women, encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM.
Who inspires you most? Why?
I find inspiration in those tirelessly working to bring about actual systemic change. They recognize that there are deep-seated issues in our society that must be addressed and are committed to making a bold difference. As a parent of three wonderful children, however, there is no question that they are my biggest inspiration. I feel a deep responsibility to create a better world for future generations. I am committed to doing my part to make their global community a better place to live. It is a lofty goal, but one that is worth striving for.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
I want to address systemic challenges in our community by leveraging cross-sector collaboration in philanthropy, business, government, education and more. As a philanthropist, we must collectively challenge the status quo of how tax-exempt organizations have traditionally been funded and strive for more effective and sustainable solutions in addressing real social problems. Let’s inspire people to give unrestricted funds!
Hildegard Koenig
President & Co-Founder | Ink Against Cancer Foundation
Through the Ink Against Cancer Foundation, a grassroots 501(c)(3), Hildegard unites cancer warriors with artists to bring comfort and support. She began her career at the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake and has served at YWCA Utah, the Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and as the community liaison for the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office. Through her current full-time position as the outreach and civil rights coordinator at the Utah Office for Victims of Crime, Hildegard is an advocate for disability rights and domestic violence survivors.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Life will be a rollercoaster. Your journey will have many challenges and many individuals will try to break your dreams. Be kind to yourself and believe in yourself. Your voice matters. Remember that you stand on the shoulders of the many strong women who came before you.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
There have been many books and documentaries that have made an impact on my life. When I need uplifting, I read “Becoming” by Michelle Obama and “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.”
Emily E. Lewis
Director, Shareholder & Attorney; Co-Chair, Natural Resources & Water Law Practice Group | Clyde Snow & Sessions, PC
Emily is a water law attorney who is working on some of the most pressing water problems in the Western United States. Her niche expertise combines knowledge of technical solutions and collaborative voluntary arrangements for water sharing. Emily’s strategic projects include preparing legal strategies to bring water to the Great Salt Lake, working with large agricultural producers to implement water conservation practices and contemporary operations, designing drought and climate resiliency action plans and navigating complex federal water contracts and federal water projects. Emily also hosts a weekly podcast, “Ripple Effect,” discussing top water issues with experts around the world.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Just keep going, and remember life is a long game. It is easy to get frustrated when you make mistakes and feel like you are failing. You are likely doing better than you think. It is inspiring to look up and see the progress you have made. Trust yourself and do not be afraid to do things your way.
What podcast has made the biggest impact on you and why?
Hosting “Ripple Effect—A Podcast Putting Water in Context” has been an incredibly impactful experience. I talk to people at the top of their fields doing exciting and innovative work. I learn something new in every episode and walk away with a deeper and more nuanced view of options and opportunities.
Hsien-Jung Lavender Lin
Post-Doctoral Researcher | Brigham Young University
Hsien-Jung’s passion for science, particularly in the field of proteomics, is a driving force behind her success. As a researcher, she is committed to bridging the conflict between nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals and bringing the two together for the betterment of society. With 20 undergrads under her guidance at Brigham Young University, Hsien-Jung has successfully seen 80 percent of them co-author peer-reviewed scientific publications and helped many of them pursue their dreams of attending graduate and medical school. Hsien-Jung’s work has the potential to revolutionize the way we understand the relationship between nutrition and health.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
I want to bridge the gap between the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. As the daughter of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, I witnessed how food and supplements could effectively treat terminally ill patients. As a trained research scientist in biochemistry, I understand the importance of legitimate experiments and hard evidence in the medical field. Both approaches are necessary to bring about advancements in health and disease treatment.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am proud to have earned my Ph.D. in the hard sciences despite being a high school dropout. Additionally, I am proud to have accomplished this while being a mother to three young children. Others often doubted me and suggested I choose between being a mother or a scientist; I refused to give up on either dream. I am motivated by the knowledge that my work will one day move from the laboratory bench to the bedside, making a real impact on people’s lives.
Christie Lipkie Kent
CFO | OptConnect
Christie joined OptConnect in 2019 with more than 25 years of experience in the finance and technology space and has been instrumental in helping lead OptConnect to unprecedented growth and success. Under Christie’s leadership, OptConnect has achieved milestones such as monumental LTM EBITDA, GAAP revenue and LTM total device count growth and helped oversee the conversion of 95 percent of all such devices to LTE devices, increasing their useful life by five years. She has also tackled a number of large initiatives to help drive the organization’s success, such as the strategic acquisition of Premier Wireless Solutions.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Never let fear keep you from taking on more responsibility. I see this in many young professionals, especially women. This fear usually stems from fear of failure. Embrace that fear and let it drive you. If you take on tasks that are scary and succeed, you will gain confidence. If you fail (which you will) and are honest and reflective, you will gain lasting insights. Those moments where you fought fear will be building blocks to becoming a better leader later.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My proudest accomplishments are relatively small. I am most proud when someone tells me I was a good mentor, I opened their mind to a new idea or that I have changed the direction of their career. In these moments, I realize I have positively impacted someone’s life. I will take these small accomplishments over big ones any day.
Dr. Tulinda Larsen
Executive Director | Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI)
Tulinda is an advocate for elevating women in manufacturing. Since being appointed in 2019, Tulinda has grown the Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative to lead several important initiatives, including the Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community, Small Business Administration Regional Cluster Initiative, the Build to Scale Program with Weber State University, the CORE-CM Program and the EDA ARPA phase 1 grant. Through her collaborative leadership, Tulinda is a role model for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
Now that I am in my 60s, I want to inspire and elevate women in technology by providing leadership and implementing programs to mentor women and girls.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
“Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg. Before I read this book, I believed women could progress in their careers through hard work and education. Sandberg opened my mind to the underlying societal factors that hold women back.
Yoko Little
VP, Global Product Marketing | Nu Skin International
Yoko oversees a product portfolio that generates more than $2 billion in annual revenue. She contributed to the launch of ageLOC LumiSpa—which sold more than 2 million units in the first 18 months—and has led the launch of many of Nu Skin’s award-winning beauty devices since then. Yoko works closely with nearly 300 people in marketing teams across Nu Skin’s nearly 50 markets. She enjoys volunteering at SheTech and is an officer of Nu Skin’s charitable arm, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation, which donates millions of dollars each year to help improve children’s health and wellness throughout the world.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
I want to find ways to create unique innovations and push the limits of what we think is possible. Exploring and innovating requires me to push my limits and learn from scientists, engineers, designers, developers and partners to expand the vision of what we can accomplish. The sense of life-long learning and team collaboration brings satisfaction and happiness to my career and life.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Look for a supervisor or a mentor who lifts and empowers women. I am fortunate to have several in my life, and it has helped me find my path and progress a lot faster in my personal and professional development. Also, make room in your busy schedules to mentor others.
Jyl London
VP, Product & Program Management | TAB Bank
Jyl sets big goals and achieves them. In 2019, she was hired as a product and DevOps manager at TAB Bank. Later, she was promoted to Vice President and now drives the overall product management processes, supervising and assisting product owners, scrum masters and product managers to understand the demands and forecast accordingly. Jyl’s significant accomplishments at TAB Bank include launching TAB Flow, the first checking rewards program that gives customers stock rewards for spending. It was the first of its kind for the banking industry; more than 3,000 customers signed on for the launch.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
“The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery” by Brianna Wiest. When I read it in 2020, I had just written my own book as a form of self-healing and taking my power back. It was so profound and interesting to read. It spoke to where I was in life and completely changed my perspective.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I work with the best people at TAB Bank. I enjoy the culture and camaraderie.
Jaeden May
Wealth Advisor | Adams Wealth Advisors
Jaeden is 23 years old and is the only woman in the state of Utah who holds CFP, CPA and NSSA certifications. Jaeden completed her master’s degree at 21 and specializes in social security, investment management and financial planning. Jaeden enjoys helping widows and business owners amid transitionary life periods and constantly searches for ways they can maximize benefits in their situations. She is a chamber ambassador for the Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce and a chair member of Women in Business Cache Valley.
Who inspires you most? Why?
My grandpa passed away too young and left behind a lasting legacy. While I didn’t get very many years with him physically, he has greatly influenced my career and life decisions. He has inspired me to pave my own path and take risks. He loved the quote, “The impossible just takes a little longer.” In his short time, he grew his small business to provide for my grandma even after his passing. His successful planning inspired me to pursue financial advising to help others do the same.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Be genuine and success will find you. As I entered this space, I was told over and over again to “be confident.” It took me a while to learn that confidence comes from being unapologetically yourself. It is much easier to be yourself than to be someone else. How you treat others matters far more than your age or experience. Embrace your talents and trust yourself!
Donna L. Milavetz, MD, MPH, FACP
Chief Medical Officer | Cambia Health Solutions
Executive Medical Director | Regence BlueCross BlueShield
Donna is passionate about making health care effective, accessible and personalized. Her experiences as an entrepreneur, collaborative business leader and practicing physician, combined with deep clinical knowledge, position her as a strategic thought leader and change agent in Utah. In February 2022, Donna joined Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah as executive medical director. She was quickly promoted to chief medical officer because of her leadership and achievements in the Utah market. Donna also dedicates considerable time and energy to serving the community. She is a proven leader in achieving positive change in health care and in business.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career/life?
Health is something we all take for granted until we get sick. I want to help others live their healthiest lives without leaving any minority groups behind. This empowers every person to live up to their highest potential.
What book has made the biggest impact on you and why?
Two authors have greatly impacted my life: Malcolm Gladwell and Amy Cuddy. Malcolm Gladwell has published many books that have helped me see how to approach problems differently, and his podcast “Revisionist History” inspires me to think outside the box. Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist who has helped me deconstruct some of the insecurities I have felt throughout my career and provided important insights and strategies to overcome many of them.
Tami Ostmark
Owner & VP, Marketing | Hamlet Homes
Tami is the first female owner to be named at Hamlet Homes, making her one of very few female owners in the building and construction industry in the United States. She has changed the entire culture of the company and has been the catalyst to ensure all employees feel they are part of a big, happy family. Tami is also a market leader who has been instrumental in transforming the product line, bringing it to the forefront of the industry.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s okay to make mistakes. When we are young in our careers, we feel we need to prove ourselves and be perfect, but there is no growth in perfection. We must give ourselves grace, be OK with making mistakes and learn from them. I would also tell myself to celebrate accomplishments. We don’t give ourselves enough credit for all the amazing things we do. I am really proud of all my achievements.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I think it’s the people, the culture and working together as a team. I don’t wake up dreading going to work. There is a camaraderie around who we are and what we do. We are building homes for families to create memories in, and the feeling we have as a team making that dream come true is really hard to recreate anywhere else. We take it very seriously, and you see that in everyone’s hard work and dedication.
Ginger Parrish
Founder | Gigi Pip
Ginger started her women’s hat shop, Gigi Pip, in 2015. She has always loved hats and saw there was a gap between high-quality, fashionable hats and what the average woman could afford. Gigi Pip fills this gap with a mission to instill confidence and self-acceptance in women everywhere. Ginger is now a leader in the women’s hat market with nearly 290k followers on Instagram, attendance at New York Fashion Week and features in top publications like Vogue, People, NY Magazine, Byrdie and more.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Write down your goals daily or weekly. I’m not a big list person, but I get overwhelmed easily. As a business owner, the work is never done. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but if you can flip your perspective and focus on all the joy as it unfolds, I have found I am more content with my progress at the end of the day.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My work-life balance! For a long time, I tried to separate work and home life. But over the last few years, I have found that they can absolutely coexist in the same box. I prioritize my mental health, and as a recovering perfectionist, I am proud of the daily habits I have established. I am a better mother, business owner, friend and daughter when I’m taking time to care for my mind, heart and physical body.
Natalie Randall
Executive Director | Utah Tourism Industry Association
Natalie entered the tourism industry as the director of Economic Development and Visitor Services for San Juan County. In January 2021, she accepted the role of executive director of the Utah Tourism Industry Association. Currently, Natalie is also the commissioner for the Utah Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, a board member for the Eastern Utah United Way and a board member for Utah State Parks and Recreation. She genuinely cares about those around her and is an extremely passionate advocate for communities, tourism and the economic development of Utah.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I am a part of an industry that celebrates the balance of professional growth and personal priorities. We are collectively building communities that current generations are proud of and that future generations want to return to. I’ve collaborated with entrepreneurs and leaders in all corners of the state, and because of where we live, many meetings have taken place from the seat of a mountain bike or on a ski slope!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Rejections are what you make of them, and they aren’t a reflection of your value. A rejection letter was the catalyst I needed to place me on my current life path.
Tara Rosander
EVP, M&A Diligence & Integration | Brandless
Throughout her 25-year career, Tara has worked to build investor relations, guide strategy, develop deal flow and impact pre-marketing for several impactful Utah brands. She has expertly utilized her decades of honed experience in investor relations to secure capital for the companies she leads. In her current role, EVP of M&A at Brandless, Tara has been instrumental in leading the company’s diligence and integration process. After only two years, she has managed the integration of six acquisitions that mirror Brandless’ mission and strategy. Tara has made an impressive impact within every role she’s held.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
My advice would be to take a genuine interest in people and their stories. Each person you meet has something to teach you, and by listening with an open mind, you can learn valuable insights and perspectives. Building relationships throughout my career has been instrumental in providing opportunities for me to grow.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
As a proud mom, I consider my greatest accomplishment to be the strong relationships I have with my two daughters. One is just starting her high school journey, and the other is approaching college. Although I cannot take full credit for the individuals they are becoming, watching them develop their unique identities and passions has brought me immense pride and joy. Their unwavering commitment to their goals and aspirations is a testament to their character and determination. I am beyond proud of the powerful, intelligent and compassionate young women they are growing into.
Nicole Salazar-Hall
Shareholder | Parsons Behle & Latimer
Nicole is a respected shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer, one of the largest law firms in the Intermountain West. Nicole provides unparalleled service to her clients and combats discrimination and cultural disparity in the state of Utah through her work with nonprofits and governmental agencies. She has gained the respect of judges and lawyers for always maintaining professionalism while keeping her clients’ best interests at the forefront. Over the years, Nicole has provided immeasurable examples of leadership within the firm and indisputable leadership for the state of Utah.
What do you most want to accomplish in your career?
I want to be a positive example to young people of color across the state of Utah, encouraging them to pursue advanced degrees and professional careers.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy helping people through the worst times of their lives as peaceably as I can and giving a voice to those who may not be able to effectively advocate for themselves.
Mallory Santa Cruz
Director, Programs | Success in Education Foundation
Mallory has a strong history leading major disaster teams with the American Red Cross and has found success leading various teams and programs for the Success in Education Foundation, including Women Who Succeed, Road to Success, Keys to Success and more. Mallory also oversees all scholarships and partnerships for the foundation, is launching a CRM and oversees all of the regional managers for the state of Utah. Mallory is an incredible force for good who directly influences thousands of Utah student’s lives.
Who inspires you most? Why?
Professionally, I’ve been deeply inspired by Indra Nooyi, the past CEO of PepsiCo, as an example of an authentic and purpose-driven leader. She consistently put both customers and employees first and was willing to make bold moves for causes that she believed in. Putting her values first, she utilized her power and position to make an impact on causes she was passionate about.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Never stay comfortable; continue growing. Pursue continuous education inside and outside the classroom. Build relationships with those that inspire you and form circles with those that drive you to be better. Know that your family and professional priorities will ebb and flow throughout your life, and that’s beautiful! Be gentle with yourself, and don’t hesitate in offering grace to yourself and those around you.
Lara Ionescu Silverman, Ph.D.
Founder & Principal Consultant | LIS BioConsulting
Through her consulting business, LIS Bioconsulting, Lara focuses on early-stage cell and gene therapy companies and related technology providers. She previously served as director of R&D at DiscGenics, an SLC-based clinical-stage company focused on regenerative cell therapy development for chronic back pain. Lara dedicates much of her free time to teaching, presenting and promoting the latest science. She hosts a mentorship webinar featuring women in biotech called “I Wish I Had Known.” Lara represents the future of life science leadership.
What podcast has made the biggest impact on you and why?
I currently host a mentorship webinar series where different successful women in biotech can share their personal stories and career experiences. This informal hour is a chance to dig into complicated topics and hear candid advice. We talk about women-specific challenges and general career-development topics. It’s been incredible to hear the stories of these women.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is knowing that my work today will someday impact patients’ lives. Cell and gene therapy has the potential to erase death sentences issued by cancer and reverse the effects of rare genetic mutations. Once, I had the privilege of watching a patient be dosed with a product I helped develop. Standing on the side of the room, I quickly forgot about the years of work and focused on the human who might experience a real benefit from the new treatment they were receiving.
Katie-Rose Skelly
Co-Founder & CTO | Known Medicine
Katie-Rose boasts over a decade of experience in biology and computational models. Her company, Known Medicine, won both the BioTech Breakthrough Award for Best Use of Artificial Intelligence in BioTech 2022 and VentureBeat’s AI Innovators award. She was added to the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Healthcare list in November 2022. As a dedicated data scientist, Katie-Rose helps merge the fields of machine learning and biology to build a predictive engine that will determine the right treatment for every cancer.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Ask for advice. Most people get where they are with the help of a community and are eager to give back. When we started Known Medicine, we cold-emailed over thirty founders for advice on a specific topic they were experts on. We got critical feedback before making company-changing decisions, learned how to look at our business the way investors would and built a network of people who could vouch for our idea and us as founders. That network proved critical, as many venture capitalists will use founders they know to vet ideas and companies before deciding to invest.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Find a mission that motivates you and do everything you can to forward that mission. Embrace the boring, repetitive work that no one else wants to do. Others will want you on their team, and as you become more capable, you can choose who you work with and learn from.
Wendy Steinle
CMO | Domo
Wendy is an integral member of the Utah tech industry. Today, she serves as CMO at Domo, but her career grew as Silicon Slopes developed its position as a nationwide hub for tech innovation. She’s had notable tenures at many of the state’s leading tech companies, including Novell, Adobe and Degreed, where she’s deepened her tech expertise, led efforts to engage with the community and mentored many of the people who are now in leadership roles throughout the state. As Wendy puts it, “Life for all is fulfilling when you’re willing to learn and grow.”
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
One of my biggest accomplishments was during my tenure at Adobe. I defined and led a new global, cross-functional go-to-market strategy that helped Adobe’s digital experience business grow from $1.63 billion to $3.2 billion in revenue in three years.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite moments are when I can bring cross-functional teams together to workshop and solve a problem that was previously considered too tough to tackle. We win when everyone feels heard, participates in dialog and takes ownership to support decisions.
Morgan Russell Williams
Founder & CEO | Blendyd Studios, Inc.
After Cameron Russell Williams, her brother, passed in 2021, Morgan continued on with her brother’s legacy of the award-winning company, EverWoke—the world’s only fully customizable logistics automation platform with transportation management, freight visibility, workflow automation and communication features. In 2019, EverWoke was named Logistics Tech Outlook’s Startup of the Year and was featured in Business Insider. In 2022, Morgan realized that Everwoke could pivot to focus on building efficiencies in driver recruitment—one of the highest-priority challenges for the freight transportation industry. Established 2023, Blendyd Studios has been featured in Tech Buzz and Silicon Slopes, highlighting how this next-generation technology will maximize operational efficiencies, saving time and money in the long haul.
Who inspires you most? Why?
My late twin brother, Cameron Russell Williams, is my inspiration. Cameron was a dreamer and pursued life with bold, wild passion. He was a person who played on the edge and pushed boundaries. He connected people and always sought to uplift himself and others. He lived a life that continues to inspire many, and he dreamed dreams that transcended his lifetime. As I build my story’s ultimate plot twist—leading Blendyd Studios forward—I’m inspired to move with the same bold, wild, edgy, generous spirit Cameron embodied.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
Do it, even if you’re scared. When they tell you it’s impossible, that’s their barrier, not yours.
Kim Wittman
SVP, People & Culture | Vivint
Kim’s first position at Vivint required her to build a college internship program, through which she recruited over 52 interns in just over five months. Kim has built and established a STEM learning program and expanded it to a local elementary school, partnering with Coding for Kids. She partnered with the Girls Go Digital program and helped make it remote so the children of Vivint employees could learn digital skills from anywhere. Kim has also been leading Vivint Women, the company’s main force for driving female empowerment and sits on the advisory board of the Women in Tech Council.
What advice would you give other women in the Utah business landscape?
I would remind them to be courageous and embrace the skills that make them unique and impactful. Confidence comes from within, and success is more fun when shared with others. Seek out and surround yourself with people who align with your values and make it fun to come to work.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I have the best job because I work across all areas and levels of our company. I have an amazing team that has worked hard to build high levels of trust and uses that as a catalyst to create value for the broader Vivint team. Vivint is full of very talented people who are very passionate about creating great experiences for our customers. In turn, my team gets to focus on creating great experiences for our employees.To learn more about this year’s winners, watch the event video below. To access photos from this event, please click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlIjl4ZHsKs