Welcome
Location: Grand Ballroom

Welcome provided by emcee Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.

Opening Session: Financial Wellness: What it Means To Have It and Why It Matters So Much

Location: Grand Ballroom

Prosper. Flourish. Thrive. These are some wonderful words. Power words. And so are MONEY and WOMEN. What might be possible when we mix all of those together? Jacki Zehner has dedicated her life to advancing women’s financial wellbeing and most recently started SheMoney right here in Utah. Her goal? To help make Utah the best state in the country for women to live and work.

Join us to hear how supporting women’s financial education, agency and wellness is good for everyone.

Breakout Session #1

Own Your Life, Own Your Career: The Unexpected Path to Your Career Success
Location: Imperial Ballroom A

Society has taught us to keep our “personal” and “professional” lives separate, but the reality is we spend 1/3 of our adult waking hours at work, so it’s really all one life. Whatever is going on in your personal life is impacting your professional life and vice versa. This exciting and engaging presentation challenges that status quo and challenges women to change their views on career development. In addition to focusing on all the classic things like obtaining new skills and networking, let’s shift our focus to what’s going on in our whole lives. As women, society has taught us that our value and worth are based on what we look like and serving all those around us. Well, if your subconscious mind believes your value is based on what your body looks like, and you don’t like the way your body looks, I can pretty much guarantee that is going to impact your confidence and ability to speak up and challenge the status quo at work. It turns out the real secret to career success is figuring out how to believe you’re valuable and worthy simply because you were born. Doing that will lead you to finally figure out how to put yourself first in your life, which will result in things like getting enough sleep, moving your body regularly, getting your needs met in your relationship (which often equates to help around the house), and setting and sticking to boundaries. When we start to succeed at these things, that’s when career success comes, and it comes naturally!

Presenter:

• Katy Blommer, Founder, Women’s Best Life University

Sorry, Am I Apologizing Too Much?
Location: Imperial Ballroom B

Nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) apologize for something outside of their control at least once a day. While most people view these over-apologizers as empathetic (and not annoying), all that extra apologizing can diminish the sincerity of a genuine apology. This session will cover common language practices that can diminish or downplay our expertise, such as over-apologizing, starting factual statements with “I think,” and saying “I just wanted to” instead of stating exactly what you want to do. Because these language tactics keep us humble, approachable, and yes, empathetic, the goal is not to eliminate them from our writing and language completely, but to be curious about our communication and consider whether we’re leaning too much on flimsy, diffident language. In this session, we’ll present ways to infuse bold, confident statements into our writing and speaking — specifically in situations where they will make the biggest impact.

Presenter:

• Paige Frame, President, McKinnon-Mulherin Inc.

The Additive Value of Women: How to Build Influence in a Male Work Culture
Location: Imperial Ballroom C

Do men and women think differently? Most say “Yes!” But why, and how do those differences manifest themselves in the workplace? How can the abilities of women be leveraged? This breakout will feature noted leadership expert, Joe Horton, who teaches evidence-based leadership and how it affirms women. Pat Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, has worked for years to elevate the stature of women’s leadership in business and in politics throughout the state of Utah. They will bring riveting and personal stories, facts and specific takeaways for women to better navigate male work cultures.

Presenters:

• Pat Jones, CEO, Women’s Leadership Institute
• Joseph Horton, Professor, University of Utah

The Only Constant is Change: The Key to Success is to Embrace It
Location: Imperial Ballroom D

A former ATHENA Award winner, Becky B. Potts, has worked in industries ranging from journalism to telecommunications and tourism to her current position as leader of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Salt Lake City Branch. As she likes to say, she has had six different careers. This wide-ranging experience has taught her valuable lessons about the role that change plays in climbing the professional ladder. Becky will tell the story about how she learned to see change as a positive force in her career.  She will share how she learned to not just weather change but to take full advantage of it by focusing on becoming resilient and developing the capacity for and comfort with risk-taking.

Presenter:

• Becky B. Potts, Vice President & Regional Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco / Salt Lake City Branch

Queen Bees: Making Your Network Work For You
Location: Venezia Garden Salon

In this session, “Queen Bees” will learn how to utilize networking best practices to leverage and grow their connections to create buzz around their initiatives and ensure they will be successful. Presenter Kathleen Bodenlos moved to Salt Lake City less than three years ago without knowing anyone to help the COVID embattled children’s museum turn around financially. Utilizing her proven and positive methods for networking, she has created a stable and sustainable future for the museum and amassed an impressive network to boot. She will share her best practices for reaching out to new contacts, cultivating existing ones, and how to ask for things without being perceived as pushy but instead stay top of mind so that your network goes above and beyond to assist you with your goals.

Presenter:

• Kathleen Bodenlos, Executive Director, Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum

Breakout Session #2

Building Confidence: How to Identify and Use Your Power
Location: Imperial Ballroom A

In this breakout we will unpack the misunderstandings we have about confidence, humility, and power. We will discuss why confidence is vital to overcoming fear and insecurity that lead to poor performance and meager outcomes. We will explore how confidence shows up differently based on gender and how women can improve the way they see themselves and others. We will learn that false ideas, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome get in the way of feeling confident and how we can change that narrative. We will end with practical takeaways for building confidence by developing a healthy self, mastering your craft, and empowering others.

Presenter:

• Kristyn Allred, Director, She’s Daring Mighty Things, The Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University

Sorry, Am I Apologizing Too Much?
Location: Imperial Ballroom B

Nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) apologize for something outside of their control at least once a day. While most people view these over-apologizers as empathetic (and not annoying), all that extra apologizing can diminish the sincerity of a genuine apology. This session will cover common language practices that can diminish or downplay our expertise, such as over-apologizing, starting factual statements with “I think,” and saying “I just wanted to” instead of stating exactly what you want to do. Because these language tactics keep us humble, approachable, and yes, empathetic, the goal is not to eliminate them from our writing and language completely, but to be curious about our communication and consider whether we’re leaning too much on flimsy, diffident language. In this session, we’ll present ways to infuse bold, confident statements into our writing and speaking — specifically in situations where they will make the biggest impact.

Presenter:

• Paige Frame, President, McKinnon-Mulherin Inc.

The Additive Value of Women: How to Build Influence in a Male Work Culture
Location: Imperial Ballroom C

Do men and women think differently? Most say “Yes!” But why, and how do those differences manifest themselves in the workplace? How can the abilities of women be leveraged? This breakout will feature noted leadership expert, Joe Horton, who teaches evidence-based leadership and how it affirms women. Pat Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, has worked for years to elevate the stature of women’s leadership in business and in politics throughout the state of Utah. They will bring riveting and personal stories, facts and specific takeaways for women to better navigate male work cultures.

Presenters:

• Pat Jones, CEO, Women’s Leadership Institute
• Joseph Horton, Professor, University of Utah

Community-Building Secrets: Unleashing the Power of Connections for Enduring Networks
Location: Imperial Ballroom D

Having accomplished so much in her career as a demonstrated leader and seasoned industry veteran, Jenni Lee Crocker attributes her success to one often-overlooked secret: the power of an extensive network. Jenni Lee will make the case about the importance of intentional networking and the remarkable power it holds. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into building deliberate connections, understanding the significance behind nurturing long-lasting professional relationships, and harnessing the potential of these enduring networks to drive professional success. She emphasizes that the key lies not only in networking, but in constructing an authentic community from your connections.

Presenter:

• Jenni Lee Crocker, President, PCF Insurance Services

Unlocking Potential and Embracing Diversity: How to Hire and Retain Individuals with Disabilities
Location: Venezia Garden Salon

Explore how individuals with disabilities strengthen an organization, and discover how the spectrum of disability is very broad; it can include individuals who are unable to work, individuals who are entry level, CEOs of companies, and everything in between. Recognizing that individuals with disabilities may already be a part of your organization, this breakout will delve into the crucial aspects of disability inclusion, covering topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), recruiting, hiring, and retaining individuals with disabilities, disability etiquette, available resources, and avenues for additional support.

Presenters:

• Ben Baldonado, Business Relations Supervisor, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
• Leah Lobato, Director, Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and Business Relations, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
• Josh Rodeback, Business Relations Specialist and Supervisor, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation

ATHENA Awards Luncheon
Location: Grand Ballroom

The Salt Lake Chamber will present the ATHENA Leadership Award to an active member who demonstrates creativity and initiative in business, provides valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and assists women in reaching their full leadership potential.

In addition to the ATHENA Award, the Chamber will also recognize business and community leaders with the Pathfinder Award for their work to create new paths and promote the development and recognition of women in business.

ATHENA International Award

• Amanda Covington, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, The Larry H. Miller Company

Pathfinders:

• Lucy Cardenas, President & Owner, The Red Iguana Restaurants
• Natalie El-Deiry, Director of Immigration & New American Integration, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
• Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO, Visit Salt Lake
• Deneiva Knight, External Affairs Director, Comcast
• Pauline Ploquin, President & Partner, Struck

Breakout Session #3

Finding Your North Star: Aligning Passion and Purpose in Business
Location: Imperial Ballroom A

The pursuit of profit and success often overshadows the importance of aligning passion and purpose. However, those who have discovered their “North Star” — the guiding light that leads them to fulfillment and success — have found a secret to unlocking their true potential. Passion is the fuel that ignites the fire within us. It is the driving force that propels us forward and keeps us motivated, even in the face of adversity. When we are passionate about what we do, work becomes more than just a means to an end. It becomes a source of joy and fulfillment. Purpose, on the other hand, is the compass that guides us in the right direction. It is the reason why we do what we do, the impact we want to make in the world. Learn how when we align our actions with our purpose, we become more focused, more driven, and more effective in achieving our goals.

Presenter:

• Lavanya Mahate, Owner, Saffron Valley Group

Thrive Through Self Awareness: Know Yourself Well Enough to Thrive, to Adapt, (or to Leave), in Any Situation
Location: Imperial Ballroom B

This interactive session will cover key areas of self awareness that lead to thriving for women leaders in any context. This session is designed to be interactive, reflective, inspirational, and action-oriented. No matter what stage you are in your career – or what you are currently experiencing, this session will provide content and a forum to tune in to yourself and leave either recommitted to what you are doing – or to have actions to take to enable thriving.

Presenter:

• Sara Reed, Vice President, People & Talent, Western Governors University

Male Allies: A Key Component for a Thriving Career
Location: Imperial Ballroom C

This breakout presentation will feature 4 male allies at Clyde Companies, a $2B construction conglomerate that started in Springville, Utah in 1926. Nearly 100 years later, Clyde Companies is still privately owned, and our deeply held values are the bedrock foundation on which we continue to grow. These four men were nominated by women in the organization who have been championed by them. In the male-dominated construction industry, identifying, and aligning with male allies is an important component for women’s successful career development. Women’s opportunities for growth are not a women-only problem to solve, and this panel will explore how men are actively working to advance women at Clyde Companies, in construction, and in the world.

Moderator:

• Elsie Powley, PR/Communications Coordinator, Clyde Companies

Panelists:

• Spencer Bowman, Director of Financial Reporting, Clyde Companies
• Aaron Farmer, Concrete Operations Manager, Sunroc
• Dustin Olson, President, W.W. Clyde & Co
• Nathan Paskett, Logistics Manager, Geneva Rock

The Only Constant is Change: The Key to Success is to Embrace It
Location: Imperial Ballroom D

A former ATHENA Award winner, Becky B. Potts, has worked in industries ranging from journalism to telecommunications and tourism to her current position as leader of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Salt Lake City Branch. As she likes to say, she has had six different careers. This wide-ranging experience has taught her valuable lessons about the role that change plays in climbing the professional ladder. Becky will tell the story about how she learned to see change as a positive force in her career.  She will share how she learned to not just weather change but to take full advantage of it by focusing on becoming resilient and developing the capacity for and comfort with risk-taking.

Presenter:

• Becky B. Potts, Vice President & Regional Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco / Salt Lake City Branch

Well-Being Among Employees is Key to Successful Business
Location: Venezia Garden Salon

This panel discussion will help attendees understand why improving behavioral health in the workplace is critical to achieving financial objectives in business operations. Discussion content will include: 

1. An update on the current “epidemic” – increasing mental health issues and limited access to care.
2. Details about how to engage the workforce for their mental well-being and to reduce operational costs.
3. Info on addressing substance use disorder and stigma related to mental health care in the workplace.
4. A prominent employer’s perspective on addressing mental health issues in the workplace.

Moderator:

• Stephen Foxley, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah

Panelists:

• Dr. Mike Franz, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
• Tina Halliday, LCSW, U of U Health, Huntsman Mental Health Institute
• Jen Olsen, Director of Account Management, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah

Closing Session

A Bolder Way Forward: Ensuring Utah Girls and Women Thrive
Location: Grand Ballroom

A Bolder Way Forward (BWF) is a statewide initiative designed to create positive change for Utah girls and women by strengthening their impact in the state of Utah faster and more effectively. National and statewide studies continue to show that women and girls in Utah are not thriving in critical areas. Year after year, Utah continues to have high levels of domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and gender-based discrimination, while also ranking as the worst state for women’s equality and having low levels of women’s leadership representation in nearly all domains, including politics and business. Although the needle has moved slightly in a few areas, with its current trajectory it will take two, three, or even four decades to make notable progress. This session will outline the initiative, what progress has been made in the first six months, and how others can become engaged in societal change for Utah girls and women. Utah must do better to ensure everyone in the hive thrives.

Speakers:

• Dr. Susan Madsen, Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project
• Sui Lang L. Panoke, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Zions Bank
• Nubia Peña, Senior Advisor on Equity and Opportunity, Utah Governor’s Office