On May 21, 2026, the Salt Lake Chamber will convene Utah’s top business, civic and community leaders at the Grand America Hotel for an inspiring evening themed Under One Sky.
This signature gala celebrates the individuals and organizations whose leadership strengthens the fabric of our state. Through a series of thoughtfully curated awards, the Chamber will recognize those who build bridges across sectors, steward opportunity with integrity and create networks that drive lasting progress for generations to come.
As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, this evening offers a moment to reflect on the generations of leadership that have shaped our progress and our shared responsibility to guide what comes next.
Rooted in the belief that no success happens alone, Under One Sky reflects the shared values and collaborative spirit that continue to shape our collective future.
Under One Sky: America250 Utah Awards Gala
May 21, 2026
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Grand America Hotel
555 S. Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
GENTRI
GENTRI, which is short for “The Gentlemen Trio,” was established in June 2014 and is comprised of three dynamic tenors: Brad Robins, Casey Elliott and Bradley Quinn Lever. The fourth member of the group is the award-winning composer, arranger and producer Stephen Nelson.
To date, GENTRI has released nine full-length albums and EPs, the most recent being “Broadway”, an album of musical theater classics in GENTRI’s signature style. Nearly all of GENTRI’s albums have reached #1 on various Billboard charts. The Gents are also known for their award-winning music videos, which have been featured on news outlets around the world, including ABC World News, NBC Nightly News and Inside Edition. Their music videos have amassed over 400 million views online.
GENTRI has performed all over the United States and across the globe. They have shared the stage with world-renowned talent, including Tony Award-winning powerhouse Kristin Chenoweth, international tenor sensation Alfie Boe, Tony Award-winning vocalist Idina Menzel, and legendary rock bands Journey, Blondie and One Republic.
Honors an organization with a proven track record of bringing people together, whose leadership advances a shared vision for the community. Through collaboration, inclusion and trust, this organization strengthens the whole, recognizing that progress is greatest when we move forward together, under one sky.
The Larry H. Miller Company
The Larry H. Miller Company oversees the Miller family’s business platforms, including real estate, senior health, sports and entertainment, and investments. The Larry H. Miller Company is a steward of family businesses that include Advanced Health Care, Aspen Ridge Residences, Daybreak, Destination Homes, Prestige Financial, Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres, the Salt Lake Bees, Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals FC. The Larry H. Miller Company makes the places Where Life Takes Place.
Honors an organization that leads with integrity, responsibility and a sustained commitment to our community. This award celebrates an organization that unites people, inspires action and creates lasting impact for generations to come.
Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with over 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plan called Select Health with more than one million members and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming health care by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.
Honors a nonprofit organization whose work brings together many efforts, partners and initiatives to create a constellation of service across the community. Like the Milky Way, a vast collection of lights that shine brighter together, this organization strengthens the region by connecting people, amplifying missions and expanding opportunity.
Huntsman Family Foundation
Jon and Karen Huntsman established a legacy of giving that continues today through the Huntsman Family Foundation. With the mission to provide hope and dignity to all who suffer, the Foundation focuses primarily on researching, treating and eradicating cancer and mental health challenges — as well as ending homelessness, stopping domestic violence and supporting education and scholarship.
Honors an individual who brings people together to solve complex challenges with balance, fairness and respect. By listening to all voices, building consensus and prioritizing the greater good, this leader strengthens the community and advances shared solutions.
Natalie Gochnour, Associate Dean, David Eccles School of Business, and Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah
Natalie Gochnour directs the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and serves as an Associate Dean of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. She is one of Utah’s most respected voices in public policy and economics, known for her ability to bridge divides and foster collaboration across business, government, academia and community sectors. Her distinguished career includes service to three Utah governors and leadership roles as a political appointee in Washington, D.C. during the George W. Bush administration. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics, Gochnour fiercely supports market economies but believes the government can, under the right circumstances, improve market outcomes. She champions limited government, free enterprise, fiscal restraint and balanced federalism. In politics, she is naturally drawn to the productive middle, recognizing the best public policies originate from multiple perspectives. She shares her views frequently in published columns and as a co-host of “Both Sides of the Aisle” on Utah Public Radio. Known for her ability to build alliances through the practical application of sound data paired with superb communications, Gochnour applauds robust, but civil and dignified public discourse. She advances a practical and get-it-done conservatism that seeks to unify rather than divide, listen rather than grandstand and find common and higher ground rather than opposing ground. Her love of place, coupled with her love for her amazing family — Chris, Rosie, Theo, Mike and Jethro — motivates her each day to contribute to the betterment of Utah.
Honors a leader whose greatest strength is connection. This award recognizes an individual who builds trusted relationships across industries and communities, linking people and ideas in ways that drive innovation, opportunity and lasting impact.
Christian Gardner, CEO, Gardner Group
Christian Gardner is CEO and Chairman of the Gardner Group, a privately-owned collective of companies driven by his commitment to sustainability, innovation, quality real estate development and re-investing back into communities through philanthropy. He has spent a large part of his career focused on the Gardner family’s 40-year-old, full-service commercial real estate company specializing in the development of corporate office, retail, industrial and medical buildings. In 2018, Gardner co-founded rPlus Energies, a subsidiary of the Gardner Group, dedicated to building robust utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure across America. Most recently, he co-founded Philo Ventures, a startup studio investing in and supporting early-stage companies with a sustainability focus. Gardner is actively engaged in the leadership of his companies and is deeply committed to causes spanning education, the arts, mental health, homelessness, sports and the environment. He embodies his family’s legacy of dedicating time and resources to building stronger communities. He is married to Marie Gochnour and has six children.
Honors visionary founders who have transformed an idea into lasting impact, creating opportunity not only for themselves, but for others along the way. This award recognizes leadership that inspires, guides and continues to shape the future through innovation and inclusion.
Fred Lampropoulos has been in the medical device industry for more than 40 years. After serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Utah Medical, Lampropoulos founded Merit Medical Systems Inc. in 1987, where he recently served as Chairman and CEO until stepping down at the end of 2025. Merit has grown from a startup to a publicly traded company with revenues of more than $1.5 billion in 2025 and over 7,000 employees. He founded Sentir Semiconductors in 1991, which was later merged into Merit Medical. Lampropoulos has invented and holds more than 240 patents on devices used in the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Lampropoulos served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Special Forces (Airborne) from 1969-1978. He is extremely involved in his community and serves on many boards. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Salt Lake Chamber’s Giant in Our City, the Mountain West Capital Network Entrepreneur of the Year, the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology, the Utah National Guard Bronze Minuteman Award, the Utah Genius Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Heart Association’s Heart of Utah Award, the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award and the 2025 Bio Utah Executive of the Year Award. Lampropoulos was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame, the Utah Technology Hall of Fame and the University of Utah College of Science Hall of Fame. Most recently, he is organizing The Bank of St. George, where he will serve as Chairman and is the principal shareholder.
Lavanya Mahate is a visionary entrepreneur who has transformed Utah’s culinary landscape, founding and scaling 12 restaurants and ventures that celebrate culinary diversity. A James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2025 and named Utah Business Person of the Year by Governor Cox, she also founded the nonprofit RISE Culinary Institute, empowering women from diverse backgrounds. Through her Power of Ownership transformational leadership platform and Own Your Shift events, she fosters personal and community transformation. Mahate continues to shape the future, building an ecosystem around food, leadership and inclusion.
Honors an inspirational leader who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to address critical community needs. Through hands-on service, mentorship, and consistent action, this individual or organization serves as a steady guiding light, strengthening communities and creating opportunity for others.
Wayne Niederhauser, Utah Homeless Coordinator (retired), State of Utah
Wayne Niederhauser is a seasoned public servant and business leader with a distinguished career in Utah state government. He served in the Utah State Senate for twelve and a half years, including six years as Senate President, where he was recognized for a measured, collaborative approach to leadership. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in guiding Utah out of the Great Recession and spearheaded the landmark 2007 tax reform. His legislative legacy is defined by a commitment to government transparency and modernizing policy to meet the demands of Utah’s rapid growth.
Most recently, Niederhauser served as the Utah Homelessness Coordinator under Governor Spencer Cox. As Executive Director of the Office of Homeless Services, he led a transformative period for the state’s response system, securing unprecedented funding for deeply affordable housing and public safety while championing innovative solutions like microshelters. His work was deeply informed by his direct engagement with those experiencing homelessness — a practice he and his wife, Melissa, continue weekly.
A Certified Public Accountant and Real Estate Broker, Niederhauser is a graduate of Utah State University, where he earned a Master of Accounting. Today, he is a partner and broker at CW Management Corporation and continues to serve on several non-profit boards. Niederhauser and Melissa have been married for 43 years; they have five children and two grandchildren.