Salt Lake business community’s highest honor recognizes leader’s contributions and positive impact throughout Utah
Today, the Salt Lake Chamber announced that Lisa Eccles, President and COO of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, will be honored as the 46th “Giant In Our City.” The award, widely known as the most prestigious business award given in Utah, recognizes those with exceptional and distinguished service as well as extraordinary professional achievement.
“As an engaged philanthropist and thoughtful community leader, Lisa Eccles has supported Utah nonprofits and their work lifting others for decades,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Her passion for giving back along with her unwavering dedication to building our community have impacted countless lives through the Foundation’s support of education, arts and culture, health and wellness, social services, and preservation and conservation. We are honored to recognize Lisa with this award and are grateful for her continued commitment to leading Utah into a better future.”
For more than 30 years, Lisa Eccles has led one of Utah’s largest and oldest private philanthropic foundations with a personal touch and a pledge to make a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of others. Awarding nearly 400 grants each year, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation supports nonprofits in every corner of the state and has awarded over $850 million in grants to date. Entrusted with the stewardship of the Foundation’s resources, Eccles is honored to carry on her family’s legacy of giving back.
“My parents instilled in me and my siblings a deep love for Utah and for all those who live here, so it’s been a tremendous honor and joy over so many years to partner with outstanding organizations that enhance our quality of life,” Eccles said. “I’m humbled by this recognition, and I hope this award will also shine a light on the incredible work of our dedicated nonprofits that help Utah children, families and communities thrive.”
In addition to her extensive philanthropic experience, Eccles has served on the board of the National Park Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation – National Trust Council, co-founded and co-chaired Utah Community Builders – Salt Lake Chamber as well as served on the boards of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Preservation Utah, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Salt Lake County Center for the Arts, Natural History Museum of Utah, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Intermountain Healthcare’s Community Care Foundation among others.
An ardent lifelong fan of the University of Utah, she holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from the U and has served two terms on its Board of Trustees, and chaired its Campus Master Plan Committee. She has also served on the U’s National Advisory Council, its capital campaign steering committee, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Endowment for Medical School Excellence and the College of Music advisory board among others.
The award will be presented at the 46th ‘Giant In Our City’ celebration. Event details to be released soon. For more information about our honoree, click here.
