The Salt Lake Chamber’s Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards Luncheon is the primary fundraiser for the Women’s Business Center with generous support from our Presenting Sponsors of the Conference, Dominion Energy and WCF, and Luncheon Presenting Sponsor, Wells Fargo.

During the Conference, guests will enjoy BRAVE & BOLD keynote speakers, attend informative breakout sessions with inspiring speakers and recognize the accomplishments of those helping make a difference here in our local community during lunch when the ATHENA Leadership Award® and six Pathfinder Awards will be presented.

Since the inception of the ATHENA Leadership Award® in 1982, more than 6,700 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, Unite Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.

Although the ATHENA International Award was created nationally in 1982, the Salt Lake Chamber’s presented its first ATHENA Award in 1984 to Phyllis Steorts.  Since that time, may prominent community leaders have received the award.

Global and National Leadership Award Recipients are chosen based on the following criteria:

• The individual has achieved the highest degree of professional excellence.
• The individual has assisted women in reaching their potential.
• The Individual’s body of work has had a national or global impact

In addition to the ATHENA Award, six other women will receive the Pathfinder Award. The Pathfinder Award is given to community leaders who “create new paths” and promote the development and recognition of women in business.

Dr. Deneece Huftalin was named the eighth president of Salt Lake Community College in September 2014. Prior to her current role, Huftalin served as Salt Lake Community College’s Interim President, Vice President of Student Services, Dean of Students, and Director of Academic and Career Advising. In her tenure as president, Huftalin has launched a College-wide strategic planning cycle that has produced a new vision, mission, values, and strategic goals for the College. She is also leading efforts to strengthen completion rates, transfer pathways, workforce responsiveness, and equity in student access and completion.

Huftalin also has taught in the Education, Leadership, and Policy program at the University of Utah and serves on a number of community boards and committees including the Salt Lake Chamber, Governor’s Education Excellence Commission, EDCUtah, Envision Utah, and Utah Campus Compact. Nationally, Dr. Huftalin serves as a Commissioner and Executive Committee member for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a trustee for LeaderShape, and a member CEO for RC-2020, Inc.

“Deneece is a collaborator, a leader, and she inspires everyone around her. She is one of those rare individuals who go beyond the call of duty. She is bright, articulate, caring, and helps not only her students, but her community at every opportunity. What she has done with Salt Lake Community College has been phenomenal. She’s not only helping create the workforce of today, but she’s helping shape the workforce of tomorrow.”

The Women’s Business Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization within the Salt Lake Chamber and is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Your contributions less any goods or services provided are tax deductible, as permitted by law.