On November 11, the Salt Lake Chamber will honor seven outstanding businesswomen at the 50th annual Women & Business Conference & ATHENA Awards Luncheon. Among this year’s honorees is Sandi Sumner Hendry, CEO and founder of Minky Couture and the 2026 ATHENA Award honoree. Learn more about Hendry and her career below:
Before Minky Couture, what experience shaped the person and leader you are today?
Many experiences have shaped my leadership style. My education and background in elementary education helped establish my cultural values and ideals for running a business. Additionally, being a mother — balancing responsibility, multitasking and making quick decisions — was imperative in preparing me for the business world.
Why do you think something as simple as a blanket can mean so much to someone?
Discovering the profound impact a warm, soft blanket can have on someone who is struggling was an “aha” moment for me. People of all ages, from infants to the elderly, need security, comfort and safety. Wrapping up in a blanket provides a way to escape, reconnect with one’s thoughts and feel comforted.
What have customers taught you about the meaning these blankets can have in their lives?
Customers tell you everything you need to know. Listening to them — whether they are going through a happy, sad or traumatic moment — reveals the true meaning and value of your product. If you aren’t meeting a real need, your product won’t succeed.
Why has creating opportunities for women been so important to you as a leader?
Women possess immense talent, creativity and the ability to think outside the box. They have been instrumental in driving Minky Couture far beyond my original expectations. Their multitasking ability, innovation and drive continuously elevate our products and brand.
How has the mission behind Minky Couture influenced the kind of leader you have become?
Our mission is best exemplified through our Heart of Minky program. We aim to blanket the world, starting with the most vulnerable: babies in the NICU. Providing comfort and hope to those in need has illuminated what Minky Couture stands for and guided my approach to leadership.
What does receiving the ATHENA Award mean to you?
Receiving the ATHENA Award is a surreal honor. To be considered alongside the incredible women who have received it before me — women who exemplify leadership, community involvement and excellence — is deeply humbling. This award means so much because of what it stands for and the inspiring women who share this legacy.
Learn more and register for the 50th Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards Luncheon here.
