On November 11, the Salt Lake Chamber will honor seven outstanding businesswomen at the 50th annual Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards Luncheon. Among this year’s honorees is Carin Crowe, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area and a 2026 Pathfinder Award honoree. Learn more about Crowe and her career below:
Was there a moment in your career when you realized, “This is the work I’m meant to be doing”?
For me, it has been a collection of moments rather than one big revelation. Listening to families talk about what they hope for their children. Watching volunteers show up, ready to work. Seeing our team find a way forward when a project gets difficult.
My background in social work and people development has always drawn me toward helping people find stability and opportunity. At Habitat, those parts of my life came together. I still have plenty to learn, but there is a sense of purpose here that keeps bringing me back, even on the hard days.
How has working with Habitat families changed the way you see your own life?
We often say Habitat changes lives, but the families we work alongside have changed mine. They remind me how much strength it takes to keep going when you are working hard and still struggling to find a stable place to live.
They have helped me become more grateful and less quick to assume I understand someone’s circumstances. I’ve learned to listen before offering answers. Everyone brings experiences, abilities and hopes that deserve to be heard. That lesson has made me a better leader, and I hope a better person.
What did you see in Habitat that made you think, “This is where I can make a difference”?
I saw an organization where people could turn their care for others into something tangible. A safe roof. An accessible entrance. A home a family can afford and build a future in. I also loved that families are partners in the work. They bring their own goals, effort and knowledge of what they need. I felt I could contribute by bringing people together and helping build the capacity to serve more families. Whatever difference I’ve made has depended on a lot of people choosing to do this work together.
What has this work taught you about what makes a home a home?
A home gives you room to exhale. It’s where you can close the door and feel safe, where your children can settle into routines and where you can begin thinking beyond the next crisis. Working with Habitat has taught me that the everyday things carry enormous meaning: a bed of your own, a kitchen table, a warm room, a place to gather. When those things are secure, people have more space to rest, connect and imagine their future. We help with the house; the families bring the life that makes it home.
What does receiving the Pathfinder award mean to you?
It makes me pause and feel grateful for the people who have helped me along the way. An award may have one person’s name on it, but I think about our staff, volunteers, board members, partners and the families who trust us. Their commitment is part of anything I’ve been able to accomplish.
The name “Pathfinder” also reminds me that you don’t need every answer before taking a useful next step. You need people willing to work alongside you, the humility to change direction and the courage to keep going. I’m honored by this recognition, and I hope it helps bring more attention to the work we can do together.
Learn more and register for the 50th Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards Luncheon here.
