Partner + Director of Brand Integration honored with prestigious national award in recognition of business leadership and community service

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (November 10, 2020) – Local business women heard from inspirational speakers, gained business insights, and recognized the accomplishments of those helping to make a difference in our community at the 44th Annual Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards Luncheon. 

Leadership strategist and CEO of top-of-the-house consulting firm EDA, Bonnie Hagemann, provided the luncheon keynote with the timely message of visionary leadership, inspiring stories, practical applications and hope for an exciting future as we emerge from the thick fog that we are in today.

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from speakers on a variety of topics that included diversity and inclusion, upskilling and leadership potential, finding work-life balance and more.

Following Hagemann, the 2020 ATHENA Leadership Award was given to Molly Mazzolini, Partner and Director of Brand Integration of Infinite Scale for her leadership and contributions to the Salt Lake community. In announcing the award, Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance said, “If Downtown Salt Lake City had a spokesperson, it would be Molly Mazzolini. Since moving here to support the 2002 Winter Olympics, Molly has championed our city and state like no one else, from advocating for our burgeoning nightlife and culture scene to assisting with the Downtown Alliance’s branding campaign. Molly firmly believes that businesses be involved within the community they reside, as such she has always given her time and support to lend a hand. For these reasons and so many more, we are pleased to present her with the ATHENA Leadership Award.”

In addition to the ATHENA Leadership Award, six women will receive Pathfinder Awards at the conference. The Pathfinder Awards are presented annually to community leaders who create new paths promoting the development and recognition of women in business. The six Pathfinder recipients this year include:

  • Allyson Bell, Chief of Staff, Office of Senator Mike Lee
  • Silvia Castro, Executive Director, Suazo Business Center
  • Darla Gill, Co-Founder and Ambassador, Merit Medical Systems
  • Beth Holbrook, Board of Trustees Member, Utah Transit Authority
  • Abby Murtagh, General Manager, Hilton Salt Lake City Center
  • Heidi D. Ruster, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region

The Awards Luncheon took place on November 10, 2020 at the Grand America Hotel and is the primary fundraiser for the Women’s Business Center of Utah. This year’s conference is sponsored by Dominion Energy and WCF Insurance. Wells Fargo is hosting the ATHENA Awards Luncheon. Intermountain Healthcare is the major sponsor, and the corporate sponsors are American Express, BW Productions, Chase, Utah Transit Authority and Washington Federal Bank.

For more information: click here.

ATHENA Leadership Awardee bio below:

Molly Mazzolini
Partner and Director of Brand Integration, Infinite Scale

Molly Mazzolini is the Partner and Director of Brand Integration for Infinite Scale. Molly is Infinite Scale’s strategic branding expert, responsible for promoting not only the Infinite Scale brand, but also the multifaceted brands of its clients. Molly’s knowledge of brand development, identity and strategy allows Infinite Scale Design Group to provide comprehensive solutions and services based on client needs. Molly also specializes in sponsor platforms, public relations and sports marketing. Her experience includes: University of Utah Athletics Department (Rice-Eccles Stadium treatments), Brigham Young University Legacy Hall (Hall of Fame), Super Bowl XXXIX – XLIII (look + decor), 2002 Olympic Winter Games (sponsor integration + brand management). Molly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Loyola University and a Master of Professional Communication from Westminster College.

Pathfinders bios below:

Allyson Bell
Chief of Staff, Office of Senator Mike Lee

Allyson Bell has served as a chief adviser to Sen. Lee since his swearing in on January 3, 2011. In her current role as chief of staff, Bell oversees all aspects of the Senator’s official activities – from the legislative agenda and external relations to staff and constituent outreach activities. For more than three decades, Bell has brought her experience and expertise to a multitude of roles in government service, political campaigns, and public policy initiatives. Previously, she was a successful business owner, providing public affairs, strategic consulting, and event management services to corporations, government agencies, non-profit groups, and political campaigns. She has repeatedly been tapped by clients to oversee all aspects of major projects and events, such as the State of Utah’s Hosting Program for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and the National Governors Association’s 2011 Annual Meeting.

Silvia Castro
Executive Director, Suazo Business Center

Silvia Castro is the Executive Director for the Suazo Business Center. The Suazo Business Center is a 501(c)3 Utah nonprofit dedicated to the economic empowerment of the minority community. In their last fiscal year they served over 2600 clients. Castro has over 20 years of experience working with enterprises and organizations of all sizes, including government under Governor Huntsman and Mayor Biskupski. She holds an MBA with an emphasis in International Business from the University of Utah and a BA degree in International Business from Westminster College.

Darla Gill
Co-Founder and Ambassador, Merit Medical Systems

Darla Gill is one of the founders of Merit Medical, and now represents Merit in several community, philanthropic, and scientific organizations. Since 1988 she has served as Merit’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales in a variety of capacities, as well as a Director on the Company’s Board. In 2006, Gill was appointed Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, and from 2007–2009, she was Executive Vice President of Marketing. From 2009 to 2018, she was President of Merit Endotek. She has a degree in Business Administration and is an inventor on several medical device patents.

Beth Holbrook,
Board of Trustees Member, Utah Transit Authority

Trustee Beth Holbrook brings a wealth of experience to the Utah Transit Authority. She earned a Political Science degree from the University of Utah and started in the financial sector, established a real estate firm, and went back into the financial sector working in business development. She then went to work with the Public Sector for a private company. Trustee Holbrook was first elected to the Bountiful City Council in 2007. She is a former President of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Since being appointed to the UTA Board of Trustees, Trustee Holbrook has worked to increase community engagement throughout Davis, Weber, and Box Elder Counties. She serves on the EDCUtah, Envision Utah, Utah Association of Special Districts Boards, as well as the Housing Commission.

Abby Murtagh
General Manager, Hilton Salt Lake City Center

Abby Murtagh has spent her entire career in the hospitality industry, beginning with an entrepreneurial catering service in her small home town of Dover, Pennsylvania, progressing to Resident Manager of the Waldorf Astoria New York before arriving as the General Manager of the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. Murtagh received her Bachelor of Science degree from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Currently Murtagh serves as Board Chair of the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, as Secretary Treasurer of Visit Salt Lake.

Heidi D. Ruster
Regional CEO, American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region

Heidi D. Ruster is the Regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Utah and Nevada. Ruster has been active with the Red Cross since 1992 as a volunteer and employee and has engaged in several other non-profits throughout the country. She earned her MPA with Bowie state and BS with the University of MD. Ruster has three grown children and a grandbaby on the way. She served in the Navy and grew up living many years in Europe and throughout the U.S. with her Father in the U.S. Air Force and husband in the U.S. Navy. Ruster is actively engaged with Rotary SLC, and volunteers as a tutor at Franklin Elementary and adaptive Ski volunteer with the National Ability Center.